Mom’s ‘Raw, Stunning, Messy, And Freaking Hilarious’ Postpartum Photo Goes Viral

Mom’s extremely honest postpartum photo goes viral

If there’s one thing new moms need, it’s examples of other parents keeping it real. So many of us have babies and are completely shocked by the aftermath, since society can make having a baby look like a field full of puppy dogs tumbling toward a rainbow. Well, it’s not. Like, at all. And one mom’s viral photo showing what new motherhood truly looks like is giving parents everywhere a much-needed dose of reality.

Amanda Bacon posted a photo to her Facebook page that a lot of new moms might not be bold enough to share. It’s so raw and real, she even went back later to edit her post and make sure her followers knew she was the one who shared it, not her husband. Behold.

Yup. That’s real, alright. As her husband slyly snapped his creeper shot holding their new baby, Bacon stood facing the other way wearing those fabulous mesh hospital panties stuffed with a pad the size of an encyclopedia. Familiar, isn’t it? C-section or vaginal birth, we’ve all been there. But this isn’t exactly a photo we would pass around at brunch with the moms from playgroup, as it might cause a little discomfort. But as Bacon says, why?

She writes, “I’m sharing this picture because it’s real. This is motherhood; it’s raw, stunning, messy, and freaking hilarious all rolled into one. Having a baby is a beautiful experience, and the realities of postpartum life aren’t spoken enough about. And definitely not photographed enough.”

Can we get an Amen? Maybe some of us discuss the grosser aspects of giving birth and those first postpartum weeks, but a lot of moms stay mum. And then, the world sees Kate Middleton emerging from the hospital only hours after giving birth looking radiant and us moms all know that underneath that perfect facade, she’s bleeding into a telephone book-sized pad too. Yet, no one really talks about it. But as Bacon points out, we should.

“Some people probably find this uncomfortable, but why? I seriously don’t get it! It’s probably because this part isn’t talked about. We all should try and educate, empower and embrace every aspect of childbirth, including moments like this. And do it while having a sense of humor.”

The sense of humor thing is especially important in those first weeks when your baby’s umbilical cord falls off and bleeds a little and you become convinced they have the flesh-eating virus or when you forget to wear nursing pads for a quick run to Target and end up with giant milk circles on your boobs that the cashier tries valiantly not to stare at. New motherhood can be seriously hilarious, and moms sharing those funny (and sometimes embarrassing) moments can be a great thing for all of us.

Scary Mommy had a chance to chat with Bacon over the reaction to her photo. Of the decision to share it, she tells us, “I was really hesitant to post it, but figured, what the hell. I think my insecurities in posting something that’s natural and something that EVERY woman who gives birth goes through was enough of a reason to go ahead and do it. Why feel ashamed over something that’s natural? It’s just not spoken enough about and I figured since the picture is both hilarious and honest, I’d go for it.”

She says that in the end, she shared the image to, “give new moms a low down of what’s to come, and let other moms know to remember to smile, and enjoy every aspect of child birth.”

Bacon ended her epic post saying, “Nothing says welcome to motherhood like an adorable squishy baby, and a giant mom diaper.”

Honestly, truer words were never spoken.