As someone who works in postpartum and is passionate to the point of annoying about the care of new mothers, I have all sorts of feelings about Kate stepping out like some sort of movie star 10 hours after giving birth. I know that looking great is her job, but really? 10 hours? In heels?! And a WHITE skirt?! Really?!
I see a lot of women 10 hours after giving birth, and honestly, I am beyond thrilled if they are able to walk themselves to the bathroom. If they can do it without getting blood all over the bed and floor in the process I’ll give them a gold medal. And if they throw on a pair of yoga pants and some mascara I tell them that they are ridiculous movie stars. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH.
Giving birth is a natural process. I am passionate about that. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. And I feel like maybe, just maybe, it’s not really fair to act like women should be walking around in heels when in actuality they’re doing well if they can maintain a decent waddle with that giant ice pack between their thighs.
Ten hours after birth is about recovery. It’s about establishing breastfeeding. It’s about pain management. It’s about a nap. It’s about making sure you can safely stand to go pee and MAYBE shower. It’s not Business As Usual time.
We go into birth with all sorts of expectations. Some ours, some from society…and I think the last thing women need is one more yardstick that they cannot possibly measure up to. It would have been crazy for her to look like that tomorrow. But walking out of the hospital ten hours after birth like nothing at all happened? Of all the things the duchess could be a champion for when it comes to pregnancy and birth and newborns, looking glamorous 10 hours after birth is a pretty wasteful one.
