Jesinta Franklin has undergone surgery for a pregnancy-related health issue, five years after first giving birth and seven months after welcoming her third child.
The Aussie model and wife to AFL legend Buddy Franklin, 34, urged other mums to prioritise their health after she was left with leaking and swollen veins.
Jesinta Franklin was undergoing surgery after putting off persistent issues with her leg veins. Instagram/@jesinta_franklin_
Franklin, who is mum to Tullulah, five, Rocky, four, and Bam, seven months, took to her social media to document her time in hospital.
“You know what’s not spoken about enough? HOW much our bodies go through to bring life into the world and the long term impact pregnancy and birth can have on our bodies!” she wrote online.
Franklin said her sons Rocky and Bam were “big boys to carry”. Both pregnancies left her with nasty veins in her right leg.
“One was leaking and caused swelling and constant bruising around my ankle, it then went on to cause me lots of discomfort while pregnant with Bam.”
After putting off addressing the pain and discomfort for five years after having son Rocky, Franklin was pleased to finally be putting her own health first.
“One of the hardest things about motherhood is choosing to do something for yourself … but one of my goals this year is to take better care of myself,” she said.
“That means no longer delaying the important things when it comes to my health and wellbeing, like I so often have in the past. No more pushing through, No more simply putting up with things because everyone else’s needs come first.”
Franklin guaranteed there were many more mums like her out there quietly accepting or visible and invisible changes from pregnancy and birth simply because they’re so used to prioritising everyone else.
Franklin knew there would be so many mums who were struggling to put their health first. Instagram/@jesinta_franklin_
“Birth was incredibly kind to my body but pregnancy wasn’t. This is my reminder to myself as much as anyone else – that looking after yourself isn’t selfish it’s necessary.”
While Franklin joked her time in hospital was actually a welcome break for an “overtired, overstimulated mum”, she was glad to return home to snuggles with baby Bam.
Jesinta and Buddy Franklin have been married for nine years and have three children, Rocky, five, Tullulah, four and Bam, six months. Instagram/@jesinta_franklin_
She gave a shout-out to husband Buddy for flying solo with all three kids while she was away.
“Not easy especially with a breastfed baby who loves a comfort feed,” she added.