Every day, the female body isexposed tomore and more judgment from society. Social media feeds are full ofunrealistic photos that can really make someone feel uncomfortable intheir own skin. For women with postpartum bodies, this topic can bethe most sensitive. Tosupport others, this proud mother decided tostop hiding behind filters orpieces ofclothing and embrace the flaws that truly makeus special.
Most mothers aren’t prepared for the challenges that come after childbirth.
Danisha, amom of4, recently started sharing her journey about accepting her body onsocial media. Atfirst, she was really ashamed and constantly tried tohide her postpartum belly, but with her last baby, she wanted achange.
“Ididn’t know thatI would have asmuch loose skin asIdo now, and stretch marks. Noone ever discussedit, mydoctors didn’t discussit,” the mother explained. “Ididn’t know that mybody just wouldn’t look the same anymore. But Iwant toembrace mybody, and I’m happy where I’m at.”
Danisha believes awoman’s body creates miracles.
Seeing tons ofcelebrities and models posing with their pregnant bellies can giveus the wrong image. They can makeus believe that perfection can exist and that something might bewrong with our own bodies, even lowering our confidence tothe point that weforget tolove ourselves.
Inone ofher Instagram posts, she pointed out toother moms that they are loved, saying, “Don’t let society trick you into believing you need tobe ’fixed.’ Your body isnot wrong, societyis!”
Society expects adifferent image ofthe female postpartum body.
Women are expected toquickly bounce back totheir pre-pregnancy bodies. For many mothers, this can feel like they’re strangers intheir own their skin. Fighting against your body means losing the battle inthe end, but knowing how toaccept itand start loving yourself from all angles isadifferent type ofpure love that can only occur ifthe mother is100% ready todoit.
The brutal honesty behind Danisha’s posts makes her even prouder ofwho sheis. “Our body ismeant toevolve and change, that iswhat happens with growth, not everyone’s body will change the same and that’s okay,” she admitted. “Mywonderful body carried 4beautiful blessings, mybelly isareminder ofthat and signifies growth. Ithas taken mealong time toaccept her, love her, and appreciate her.”
Despite the negative comments that come from everywhere, knowing how tokeep your positivity isone ofthe hardest jobs that people face when they show themselves attheir most vulnerable online.
“Ihave apouch, Ihave soft stretchy loose skin. Myphysical features are not what makes itbeautiful, but the fact that mybody was able tocreate life itself for afourth time. I’m strong asamother.”
Danisha doesn’t let the negative comments stop her. Showing the raw reality behind amom’s body isahuge help for other mothers out there aswell. “Alot ofmamas are unprepared for postpartum.”
It’s aprivilege towatch our bodies change aswegrow older.
Sometimes, despite all our efforts and hard work tokeep our bodies inshape, genetics can get involved and create adifferent person inthe mirror. She explained, “Ilove itwhen people tell methat ifI had moisturized myskin more then mybelly wouldn’t have looked ’this way’ orifI wore awaist trainerI wouldn’t have apouch and even greater ifI dieted orexercised more, then mybelly wouldn’t beas ’big.’”
The mother of4continued, “The reality isgenetics play abig role. Mybelly isthis way because of4reasons. Icreated life 4times and nooils orcreams would have miraculously preventedit. Mysagging skin, stretch marks, and other love marks are reminders ofbearing mychildren.”
Every mother isspecial inher own way and noone deserves tobediscriminated against because oftheir appearance.
“Tothe mama looking atherself inthe mirror: It’s completely normal not tofit into your pre-pregnancy clothes your body outgrew inorder tomake room for your beautiful blessing. Sizing upisnothing tofeel ashamedof,” Danisha declared.
Itwasn’t easy, but Danisha started accepting her body.
Understanding how tolove stretch marks and accept body changes can beone ofthe hardest steps that amom cando. They are anatural response from the body.
“Many would love tohave tiger stripes. You can also have them without having children. Mytummy was home to4ofmychildren, and they loveit,” she said.
Beauty comes from both inside and outside.
Regardless ofwhat welook like onthe outside, whether wediffer inskin color orweight, all people are special intheir own way, and our bodies doanamazing job atkeepingus alive. Inaneffort toencourage others around her, this mother points out, “Whether you choose tocover your belly ornot, you’re still worthy, still beautiful.”
Here are some similar stories that showus the beauty inevery woman’s body.
AMom of4Proudly Documents Her Postpartum Body and Becomes the Dose ofBody Positivity WeAll Need
AMother Was Told Her Stomach Was “Nasty,” but She Proves How Beautiful Women’s Bodies Really Are
9Times Ashley Graham Embraced Her Motherhood Journey, From aPostpartum Body toBreastfeeding
8Celebrity Moms Who Got Honest and Showed Usthe Raw Reality ofMotherhood
AMother of5Posted Her Belly Photo toProve the Female Body IsAlways Beautiful, and the Support She Got IsImmense
Preview photo credit
