Millie Mackintosh opens up about post-pregnancy body confidence: ‘Sienna is with every stretch mark’
‘I’m in awe of what my body has achieved,’ says former Made in Chelsea star
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Millie Mackintosh has opened up about post-pregnancy body confidence in a candid Instagram post.
On Wednesday, the former Made in Chelsea star shared a photograph of herself with her newborn daughter, Sienna.
In the photograph, Mackintosh is seen cradling her 10-week-old daughter in a bedroom while dressed in underwear.
The 30-year-old explained that she is “in awe” of what her body had achieved through pregnancy but that it has also been an “adjustment” coming to terms with how her body has changed.
“With Sienna nearing 10 weeks old nothing has given me more purpose than knowing that a small life depends entirely on me to feed and nourish her as she grows,” she wrote in the caption.
“I try to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle and I count myself lucky that throughout my adult life I’ve felt and identified as pretty body confident but now all that has changed along with every other aspect of my life, which makes me look at my body in a totally new light and it’s been a big adjustment!” she added.
The fashion designer went on to say how fitting into her pre-pregnancy clothes ”seems a long way off”.
Mackintosh added that she has “no intention of rushing into ‘getting [her] body back’”.
“But it would be a lie if I said I feel totally happy and at one with my body post-pregnancy,” she added.
Mackintosh went on to highlight how she has received some criticism online regarding her body.
“The process has been made a lot harder by some overly strong and hurtful comments online about my appearance (as much as you try and ignore them),” she wrote.
“I’m in awe of what my body has achieved over the last year but I find it hard not seeing the girl I know to be me looking back at me in the mirror.”
Mackintosh explained how she’s looked back on old photos of herself where she did not feel body confident.
“But now I look back and think I looked great!” she added before going on to explain how critical women are of their own bodies.
“It’s so crucial, as women, that we learn to let ourselves off the hook,” she wrote.
“My mantra has always been that you exercise because you love your body not because you hate it, so any movement I do now is with the intention to feel good and never to punish myself.
“Sienna is worth every extra inch, pound and stretch mark. My body made me a mother and for that I’ll always be grateful.”
Mackintosh and her husband Hugo Taylor, whom also starred on Made in Chelsea, welcomed their daughter Sienna in May.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments