“This is me”: Chezzi Denyer shares pregnancy’s toll on her body
Chezzi Denyer has taken to social media to share the toll pregnancy and childbirth has taken on her body after welcoming her youngest daughter into the world three months ago.
The mum got candid about how her body has changed since having kids in an Instagram post on Sunday, May 17.
Feeling the need to share what she wished she’d known as a first-time mum, Chezzi detailed all the things new mums are often surprised by as their bodies recover.
Despite this, Chezzi emphasised focusing on the positives that come with the fleeting newborn phase.
“You have the rest of your life to focus on your hair, your skin, your figure, your weight or your stretch marks,” she wrote.
“You won’t ever be able to get this time back. And it’s super important. It’s for bonding. Bonding and loving. Nurturing. Learning about your new role as a Mum. Learning about your baby. Finding your way.”
Posting a photo of herself in ‘mismatched underwear’ and a maternity bra alongside her message to new mums, Chezzi also opened up about what she has endured in the post-partum period.
“Sore boobs - Recurring blocked milk duct. Usually a C cup but currently an E cup. Didn’t even know that size existed!!” the post reads.
“Spasming piriformis muscles during my last trimester and after birth, occasionally giving me grief still despite lots of Physio.”
She added that she still wears her maternity jeans and the only other pair of pants - a tracksuit - that currently fit.
“I don’t feel myself physically. I don’t feel as strong. But that’s ok. I’m lucky I’ve been here before and this time I know to appreciate these brief months.,” she said.
“The most important thing for me to do right now is to take care of my baby and take care of myself. To be patient with myself.”
Although she notes that this period comes with real challenges, such as lack of sleep, fear and anxiety, struggling with breastfeeding or guilt surrounding feeding choices, Chezzi has some real advice for new mums.
“And my advice for any new Mum is just that. Relax. Prioritise the right things. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. You are doing a wonderful job. Take a breath.”
Asking her followers to share what they wish they’d known before becoming mums, her post was flooded with responses.
“I wish people told me to be patient with myself and that breastfeeding isn’t easy for everyone and that’s okay,” one said.
“Stop stressing over everything and really soak in every beautiful moment because it’s so true, they are grown up in a flash,” another shared.
Chezzi and husband Grant Denyer have two older daughters, Sailor, 10, and Scout, 5. The TV producer uses her platform to share relatable posts on motherhood.