Katie Lee Biegel shares an emotional account of her struggles after giving birth

Katie Lee Biegel shared an emotional post on her Instagram page, detailing her personal struggles after giving birth to her first child in September.

On Thursday, the 39-year-old Food Network star recounted her experiences with postpartum pain and trying to reach her pre-pregnancy weight.

‘I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to “get my body back” after having a baby,’ she wrote in a lengthy caption, underneath a photo in which she is seen posing poolside in a black bikini.

She continued, ‘I recently hit my pre-baby weight, but it really isn’t about the number on the scale. We spend 9 months growing, expanding, and having so many changes…then there’s childbirth…which for me, was the easier part. 

‘What I was not at all prepared for was the postpartum recovery. I was in quite a bit of pain for a solid 6 weeks and it took me a much longer time to heal physically than I ever expected,’ Biegel explained.

‘I couldn’t exercise for a few months (not that I really had the time or energy for it anyway). I didn’t really care about eating my usual healthy foods, I would just grab something. As Iris got a little older and we got into more of a groove (ie when she finally started napping!!), I started to get back to myself. 

‘Exercise, my big salads, blow drying my hair! Now, I power walk every day with Iris in her stroller, I do postnatal and Pilates workouts on @obefitness, and I use my @ww app. I finally feel like my body is back…not only because of the number on the scale, but I feel like I am back to feeling strong and healthy. 

‘It takes time mommas…it’s been 10 months for me. I’m still not 100% where I was (my pants are 2 sizes bigger and they very well might stay that way, which is fine) and I want to continue to work on my overall wellness, but I’m headed in the right direction.’  

The It’s Not Complicated author announced the arrival of daughter Iris Marion, via Instagram on September 3.

‘Welcome, baby Iris Marion Biegel,’ she captioned. ‘9.2.20, Our hearts are so full.’

Along with her joyous text, the new mom included a makeup-free snapshot of herself cradling Iris in a hospital bed.

Katie, who was famously married to music legend Billy Joel from 2004 until 2010, shares her daughter with husband of two years, actor Ryan Biegel, 40. 

During an Instagram Q&A in December, the former Top Chef received some unsolicited advice from a follower regarding how much she ‘holds’ her newborn.

‘I’m sure you’d been told this but it’s not good to hold Iris so much,’ the follower began, adding: ‘She needs time for her back/spine/stomach and muscles to develop.’  

In an attempt to stave off backlash, the follower insisted they were ‘not a Karen’ but were, instead, ‘just trying to help’ the new mom out.  

Katie, clearly ticked off by the absurd Q&A submission, shared the direct message with her followers.

‘Mom shame, much?’ Lee commented, adding: ‘Not to worry, my baby gets plenty of tummy time, activity time, etc.