Model Ashley Graham reveals what happens to your body after giving birth
Ashley Graham has shared her post-birth healing journey on Instagram.
The American model, 32, shared a candid post on the social media platform about the realities of her postpartum body, explaining “no one talks about the recovery” aspect of pregnancy and birth.
Graham, who welcomed son Isaac Menelik Giovanni Ervin with husband Justin Ervin on January 18, shared an empowering photo of her post-birth body.
“Raise your hand if you didn’t know you’d be changing your own diapers too,” she wrote in the accompanying caption.
“After all these years in fashion I never could’ve guessed that disposable underwear would be my favourite piece of clothing but here we are!”
Read more: Ciara takes pregnancy fashion to new levels at the Oscars 2020
She explained she had chosen to share the image to try and break down the culture of silence surrounding the post-pregnancy recovery.
“No one talks about the recovery and healing (yes even the messy parts) new mums go through.”
Graham believes it is important to show the difficulties associated with new motherhood as well as the joy.
“I wanted to show you guys that it’s not all rainbows and butterflies!” she added.
“It’s been tough, but my friend Chelsea @cmrh and CEO at @fridamom is making waves and starting honest conversations.
“It’s unbelievable the obstacles we still face talking about what women really go through. All their stuff she sent me has been a life saver.”
After sharing the inspiring post, other parents were quick to thank the model for keeping it all so real.
“I love this post and thank you for sharing, makes all of us post partum mamas feel not so totally alone,” one fan wrote.
“Thank you for using your platform to help us prepare other women as they navigate this delicate transition in to motherhood,” another agreed.
Others showed their appreciation for the model’s armpit hair which is also on show in the image she shared.
“I thought I was the only one that let her armpit hair grow,” one woman wrote. “I couldn’t even move for 2 weeks. I had lost a lot of blood. But it’s an amazing miracle we create,” she added.
Read more: Should brands use genuinely pregnant women to model maternity wear?
The empowering post comes just days after the plus-size model shared a sweet snapshot of her breastfeeding her newborn baby.
In the image Ashley is seen cradling the baby as he feeds as new dad, Justin proudly looks on and gently strokes his son’s head.
In the accompanying caption Graham opened up about how much joy their baby boy has given them, recalling: “I remember holding Isaac for the first time and telling Justin, ‘Now we’re family forever.’ “
“I have so many reasons to be grateful; all of the love and support from this amazing community, an incredible husband, and a beautiful baby who has opened my eyes to just how amazing this world really is,” she added.
Read more: Vogue Williams says she's half a stone lighter than before pregnancy thanks to running
The picture share came as the model earlier revealed she had given birth to her first child at home, in a birthing pool.
In the latest episode of her podcast, Pretty Big Deal, the couple also introduced their son to the world, while the new mum opened up about her birth experience, telling viewers she’d felt inspired.
“Now, I have to say now though that I gave birth and I did it naturally and I felt everything, I feel like there's nothing I can't do,” she explained.
“Like, there's nothing that could come way where I say, ‘Oh, that's too hard I can't handle that.’ I went through labouring for six hours, naturally.”
She went on to joke: “At home. Right there. In a big ol' pool. Don't worry, it wasn't on the carpet.”
