‘I tried to hide my belly after giving birth with loose-fitting shirts’
Image: Nine IJf
Laura van Raaij (40) is married to Pieter (40) and mother of Reaven (almost 9), Ranomi (7) and Romee (4.5). In the Kek Mama Special about mombracing, Laura, like four other mothers, gives herself completely.
“In most women stretched abs grow back nicely after pregnancy, but not with me. As a result, my belly remained huge after my first delivery. There was also a hole inside: when I lay down, you could put three fingers in it near my navel. Physiotherapy could not cure the diastasis, as it is called.
After a year I became pregnant with the second and people at twelve weeks said: ‘You shouldn’t have much longer?’ The most painful was that comment from an acquaintance, but then three months after the birth. However, she had a point: it was also like I was pregnant. My belly remained big and blubbery – even after the arrival of our third child. I was disgusted and tried to cover my stomach with loose-fitting shirts.
You can read more stories from mothers about everything that has to do with mombracing here.
Old figure
I used to be called ‘the skeleton’ at school because I’m naturally skinny. Now I thought: I would kill for my old figure. It was mainly in my stomach, but my thighs were also firmer. I went from size 34/36 to 40.
A year ago I was fed up. I thought: maybe I can do something about that belly if I start living a healthier life. I had a sweet tooth, every cup of tea needed a biscuit or chocolate. I decided to ban the sugars, went for a walk fifteen kilometers a day and did abdominal exercises. I also started taking cold baths.
I was triggered by a friend who does this for relaxation and higher fat burning, and thought: I’m going to try it myself. It was thirteen degrees and the river was dead cold, but when I was back on dry land after two minutes, it felt fantastic. As if my body was on fire, but in a nice way. Recently I have a wine barrel with ice water in the backyard that I dip in daily. My kids think I’m crazy, although Reaven wanted to try it recently. Up to the waist – ‘Too cold, I’m going to take a shower!’
Pride
My lifestyle pays off: I’ve lost eight inches of waist circumference. Where I first only saw skin, I now see waist. I can also wear clothes in which I don’t have to hide my stomach. I’m a size 38 and know my tummy will never be the same again, but that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be tight, but I don’t want to look like I’m pregnant either. I am proud that I succeeded.”
This portrait is featured in the Kek Mama Mombracing Special 2022.
77% of mothers in the Netherlands have to deal with mom shaming, according to research by Kek Mama. The editors found this so shocking that they started a campaign: Kek Mama is launching mombracing, the counterpart to momshaming, and calls on all mothers to support each other instead of criticizing each other.
