The Curvy Model speaks openly and unabashedly about motherhood
On January 18, 2020 Ashley Graham became the mother of her first child – a little boy named Isaac. On Instagram, she speaks openly and honestly about what it’s like to be a mother and the challenges that come along with it.
We are accustomed to seeing women who are in the public eye proudly presenting the supposedly perfect post-baby body, but what does that actually look like? Models, like Heidi Klum, walked the Victoria’s Secret Catwalk just a few days after giving birth, and the Duchess Kate is also photographed by the press just a few hours after the birth looking radiantly beautiful with her baby.
What many do not know: This image does not correspond to reality. These women have time, they have a trainer, a strict nutrition guide and stylists who ensure that they look flawless at all times. The images we see are not only unrealistic, but also unhealthy and it creates an immense pressure on women to bounce back into their old clothes and life as soon as possible.
The time after birth is one that should be enjoyed. In which you should be with your child instead of in the gym. A pregnancy proves that the body is capable of much more than just looking beautiful – it should not be judged by that alone. An after baby body should be celebrated for creating new life, not for how slim it is.
Ashley Graham is very different: She talks candidly about the physical challenges and proudly shows her stretch marks on Instagram. Because each of these stretch marks tells a story. She goes even further: The Curvy Model openly shares her new favorite piece of clothing, disposable underwear – or as she says: diapers. So she writes: “Raise your hand if you didn’t know that you would be changing your own diapers too 🙋🏻”. Ashley Graham doesn’t want to pretend, she doesn’t want to pretend that the time after birth is just “sunshine and rainbows” and we think that’s great! With her words she gives hope and strength to other women. She is a great role model for all fresh mommies out there and for all those who want to become one.
But Ashley Graham does not draw the line at that, because the model really has no inhibitions. She shows herself breastfeeding in a café, changing diapers in the hallway of a hardware store, aching in pain with her face distorted during labor, or breast pumping in an uber. Through her transparency on Instagram, she puts old taboos to the test and challenges many conservative opinions. Among her pictures you can read comments like “Cover yourself”, “That’s disrespectful” or “Disgusting” – and this is coming from men AND women! Nevertheless, the comments of people who applaud and even thank her prevail. We are definitely among those who applaud her!
Women feel an immense pressure to bounce back after giving birth, but this time should be cherrished and enjoyed by every woman in their own way. There is no right or wrong way of getting back into the groove of things after giving birth, and the media should definitely not be imposing false beliefs about beauty or productivity on women. Every mother should be encouraged and applauded for bringing a new life into the world. We can all learn a lot from women and their resilience to live and create life.
Edited and translated by April Verite.
