A mum who struggled with her post-C-section ‘mum tum’ has revealed how she finally learned to love her body again.
Vicki Broadbent lost all confidence after giving birth to her three children – hiding herself away in oversized black clothes and feeling “invisible”.
The 44-year-old barely recognised herself after years of pregnancies, emergency sections and even a heartbreaking miscarriage.
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“I found it hard to navigate the huge changes in my weight and body shape, which, while inevitable and to be expected, still shocked me, particularly postpartum and even with my third child,” the mum, from Yorkshire, told What’s The Jam.
“The postpartum ‘snap back’ we see from celebrities adds further pressure.
“Many mothers don’t feel they can candidly discuss pregnancy and postpartum weight gain for fear of coming across as vain and that we might be shamed for not embracing our bodies.
“I lived in dark clothes, mostly black and loose.
“I tried to hide from the world.
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“I felt invisible, and I wanted to be invisible.
“This was in stark contrast to my pre-baby style of more figure-hugging outfits and lots of personality, after my first and third child.”
Vicki had her two sons in her late 20s and early 30s before welcoming a daughter at 40, just five days before her 41st birthday.
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While she had always loved experimenting with bright colours, patterns and chic accessories, she said her old style felt like it belonged to someone else.
Her once bold and colourful wardrobe was swapped for loose-fitting dark dresses as she tried to cope with exhaustion, recovery and the pressures of motherhood.
The turning point came when she decided to start making small changes – experimenting with accessories, adding splashes of colour to her wardrobe and investing in timeless items that helped her feel stylish again.
She said: “My mum always advised that pops of colour make a difference to your mood, be it a red lipstick or a bold feature wall in your house, and she was right.
“Once you take small steps, you’re quietly and even subconsciously reminding yourself of your self-worth and that you matter.
“Before I knew it, I’d accumulated a small but beautiful capsule post-baby wardrobe with some more colour and patterns and even some flattering sportswear to encourage me to exercise more.”
Speaking to endource, Vicki says she gradually rebuilt her confidence after speaking with her mum.
She even treated herself to luxury bags and sunglasses, slowly creating a capsule wardrobe that made her feel empowered.
Another boost came from a professional colour analysis, which showed her which tones suited her best – helping her shop with confidence and embrace a style that worked for her body shape.
She said: “Having a colour analysis session gave me such a boost, helping me understand which colours work best with my complexion, eye and hair colour- even down to my jewellery choices.
“I discovered I’m a ‘Deep Autumn’, so earthy tones and anything with a warm yellow base work with my olive skin, so I’ve been using this insight when it comes to shopping.
“I have steered away from bright whites and grey tones, which came up as unflattering too.
“I was happy to discover that my gold highlights suit me as much as brown hair does, and it’s given me renewed confidence when it comes to choosing makeup too.”
Now Vicki says she finally feels like herself again – instead of hiding away, she’s embraced her post-baby body and rediscovered her sense of identity through fashion and beauty.
She hopes her journey will inspire other mums to take small steps towards feeling confident again – whether that’s adding a pop of colour, trying a new haircut or simply remembering that they deserve to feel good about themselves.
She said: “Please give yourself time and grace. Opt for accessories or jewellery to give you a boost if you’re not ready to completely revamp your style after having a baby.
“It can be so daunting to even visit the changing rooms postpartum when shopping for new clothes, so don’t push yourself.
“I tended to buy standard-sized dresses during my pregnancies, but I sized up or bought from a tall range if the brand had them.
“That way, items would last during my pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.
“Think about other ways to express your style with hair colour, style and cuts perhaps, and adding new make-up for an instant lift.
“Also, remember you are not alone if you feel uncomfortable physically and or emotionally in your new body after childbirth.
“While these concerns often go unspoken and appearance is the least interesting thing about you, it’s so common and normal to feel less confident as you navigate your new role as a parent.”
