20/07/2026
True story… 🤍 Part 1
I wanted to share the story behind this photo.
As some of you know, I spent six years battling through IVF to have River. Because of my overactive immune system, I suffered multiple miscarriages along the way. Every single heartbreak was worth it because I got my miracle. River was my lucky number 7 embryo, and he was worth every second of that fight.
When I was pregnant, everyone told me, “You’ll bounce back so easily.” I think people assumed that because I had strong abs before pregnancy. Ironically, that worked against me. My abdominal muscles separated and never came back together properly.
I knew my body wasn’t right, but I couldn’t explain it. Getting ready to teach every night became torture. I’d stand in front of the mirror trying to find something to wear that covered the parts I wanted to hide, while still showing enough to teach in. I felt completely disconnected from my own body.
Eventually, I had surgery to repair my abdominal separation. It was a much bigger operation than I ever imagined, with a couple of hernia repairs thrown in too. I was so happy with the results, but deep down I still knew something wasn’t right.
Despite eating better than ever and exercising, I was gaining weight week after week. After more investigations, I was diagnosed with another hernia, endometriosis, adenomyosis and pelvic congestion syndrome. I’m still undergoing tests because there may be more answers to come, but at least now I’m finally being heard.
Somewhere along the way, I lost my strength and confidence. I can’t count the number of times I turned to my husband and said, “I don’t think I can do this anymore.” I felt like my body had let me down. I was ashamed of how I looked and I stopped appreciating everything it had actually done for me.
That’s why I decided to do this photoshoot.
Not because I felt confident… but because I wanted to see my body through different eyes.
This body carried my miracle baby. This body survived years of IVF, miscarriages, surgeries and diagnoses I never expected. It has been through so much, and instead of criticising it, I’m choosing to thank it.
See next post for the last part ….
