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Jasmine sat in the small waiting room, hands folded over her lap, trying to keep her nerves from bubbling over. It was her second session with Dr. Meyers, the postpartum specialist, and she knew the questions that were coming. How have you been? How are you coping? How is life at home?
When the office door opened, Dr. Meyers greeted her with the same warm smile as before.
"Jasmine, come on in," she said, motioning her toward the familiar couch.
Jasmine settled in, smoothing her jeans over her thighs. She caught herself tugging at the waistband, as if the denim itself was betraying the softness of her stomach.
Dr. Meyers noticed but didn't comment. Instead, she sat across from her with a notepad. "So, tell me. How have the last couple of weeks been?"
Jasmine let out a small sigh and then a smile. "Better, honestly. Aubrey and I are starting to find our groove with the new baby. I even had some time with my girlfriends. It felt good to just laugh, to talk about nothing for a while."
"That sounds wonderful," Dr. Meyers said, nodding. "Support from friends is so important."
"Yeah," Jasmine admitted. "I needed that." She paused, then added quietly, "But I'm still struggling."
"With?"
Jasmine leaned back against the couch, her eyes drifting to the patterned rug on the floor. "My body. The way I look. I've been hiding, from Aubrey and from the world. I feel... ashamed, I guess. There's this pressure to snap back. Everyone online is talking about how quickly women get their bodies back after pregnancy, and how I did after Aaliyah."
Her voice cracked a little, and she looked down at her hands. "And with Aubrey being who he is, a rapper who's bragged in songs about the women he's been with, I can't help but feel self-conscious. I keep wondering if he looks at me now and remembers all the perfect women he had before me."
Dr. Meyers let the silence settle for a moment before she leaned forward slightly. "It is normal to feel that way, Jasmine. Your body has gone through so much. You carried twins, you birthed them, you survived a loss, and you are raising two babies now. Your body is not just about appearance, it is about resilience. What you do with those feelings is what matters most."
Jasmine blinked, trying to follow. "What do you mean?"
"You can let those thoughts drag you deeper into shame and depression, or you can choose to use this time differently. You can be grateful for the downtime your recovery requires. Your body is asking for rest. It is asking you to focus on healing, on your babies. You do have access to the best trainers, the best nutritionists. You will get to a place where you feel strong and confident again. But right now, your body deserves patience. And grace."
Jasmine felt her throat tighten. "Patience has never been my strong suit."
Dr. Meyers smiled softly. "Most of us struggle with it. But it's the lesson your body is teaching you right now. And I want to give you some homework."
