by Megan
A Long Road to Pregnancy
When I was pregnant, I knew my life — and body — was about to go through some major changes. What I didn’t expect was that I’d come out the other side feeling more confident in my body than I ever did before.
Getting pregnant was a journey in and of itself. After three years of trying naturally, my husband and I turned to a fertility clinic. We went through multiple failed rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) before moving on to in vitro fertilization (IVF). That meant weeks of medications, injections, and more emotional and physical stress than I ever imagined.
But remarkably, I became pregnant in October 2023.
Pregnancy at the Nude Beach
With a July due date, I knew I wanted to fit in at least one visit to our local nude beach during my pregnancy. I’ll never forget how empowering it felt to walk the shoreline, proudly sporting my growing belly.
After years of fertility struggles, I was finally proud of what my body was doing — not focused on what it couldn’t do. It’s also one of the few times in life where a growing belly is universally seen as beautiful, miraculous, and amazing.
I embraced that moment fully, even knowing that a postpartum body — with stretch marks, soft skin, or a sagging belly — doesn’t always receive the same admiration. (Which says more about society than it does about womanhood, but I digress.)
Welcoming Our Baby Early
Due to complications, I delivered our baby boy via cesarean section on June 13, 2024 — a month early. He arrived healthy and beautiful, and our world completely shifted.
The newborn stage is a blur of hormones, sleepless nights, and steep learning curves. But despite it all, I loved becoming a mother — and watching my husband step into fatherhood was just as special.
Returning to the Beach as a Family
As summer passed, we knew we wanted to bring our son to the beach as soon as we could.
We packed up our usual gear: beach blanket, cooler of snacks, sunscreen… plus a beach tent and extra diapers. On a gorgeous summer day, we headed to Crescent Beach. Our baby experienced the ocean for the first time (he wasn’t a fan — too cold!) and core memories were made.
Body Confidence After Birth
Yes, the thought crossed my mind — my body does look different now. A fresh c-section scar and postpartum softness are part of the package. But honestly? I was far more excited to bring our baby to a place that’s always felt freeing and welcoming.
And that’s the thing about nude beaches — the community is incredibly non-judgmental. It’s probably the best place to shake off any lingering body insecurities. I found myself completely immersed in the moment, not thinking twice about how I looked.
You’re Not Alone
I know my story isn’t everyone’s. Every postpartum journey is different. But if you’re a new mom and wondering how you’ll feel at a nude beach, know this: you’re not alone.
I’d love to hear how other mothers have felt visiting nude beaches post-pregnancy. I feel lucky that my local nude beaches feel like community — and I’m excited for our baby boy to grow up surrounded by that openness, acceptance, and joy.
Would you take your newborn to a nude beach? Why or why not?
Let us know in the comments below!