The topic of “postpartum bodies” is a sensitive one in today’s society, but to support struggling moms, Danisha has decided to stop hiding behind filter-edited photos or fully-covered clothing and embrace the flaws that make motherhood special. She believes a woman’s body creates miracles while urging other moms they shouldn’t let society trick them into believing that they need to be fixed.
The mom-of-four doesn’t let negative comments stop her and showing the raw reality behind a mom’s body has since become a huge help, especially as lots of mamas are unprepared for postpartum.
“I love it when people tell me that if I had moisturized my skin more, then my belly wouldn’t have looked this way or if I wore a waist trainer, I wouldn’t have a pouch and even greater if I dieted or exercised more, then my belly wouldn’t be as big. The reality is genetics play a big role. My belly is this way because of 4 reasons. I created life 4 times and no oils or creams would have miraculously prevented it,” Danisha wrote on Instagram.
She stressed that despite all effort and hard work to keep our bodies in shape, genetics can get involved and create a completely different person in the mirror.
Every mom is special in her own way, and no one deserves to be discriminated against. Danisha further declared in another post: “To the mama looking at herself in the mirror.” It’s completely normal to not fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes that your body outgrew in order to make room for your beautiful blessing. “Sizing up is nothing to feel ashamed of.” She highlighted that stretch marks and body changes can be among the hardest things a mom can do, but they are a natural response from the body.
Danisha continued: “Many would love to have tiger stripes. You can also have them without having children. My tummy was home to 4 of my children and they love it.”
To inspire others around her, the mom also pointed out: “Whether you choose to cover your belly or not, you’re still worthy, still beautiful.”
Initially, Danisha felt really ashamed and constantly tried to hide her postpartum belly, but with her last baby, she decided to change. She explained: “I didn’t know that I would have as much loose skin as I do now, and the stretch marks. No one ever discussed it; my doctors didn’t discuss it. I didn’t know that my body just wouldn’t look the same anymore. “But I want to embrace my body, and I’m happy where I’m at.”
In one of her Instagram posts, Danisha told other moms that they are loved and urged them: “Don’t let society trick you into believing you need to be fixed. Your body is not wrong. Society is!”
The honesty behind Danisha’s posts makes her even prouder. She further wrote in a different post: “Our body is meant to evolve and change, that is what happens with growth. Not everyone’s body will change the same, and that’s okay. My wonderful body carried 4 beautiful blessings; my belly is a reminder of that and signifies growth. It has taken me a long time to accept her, love her, and appreciate her.”
Keeping the positivity can be hard but Danisha has proved she’s capable, while also stating: “I have a pouch, I have soft stretchy loose skin. My physical features are not what makes it beautiful but the fact that my body was able to create life itself for a fourth time. I’m strong as a mother.”
However, the tons of models and celebrities posing with pregnancy bumps can give us the wrong image. Such photos have made many believe that perfection can exist and that something might be wrong with their bodies, even lowering their confidence. Specifically, women are expected to bounce back to their pre-pregnancy bodies and for many mothers, it has left them feeling like they’re strangers in their own skin.