Parenting

Mum-of-five hits back at trolls who blasted her ‘disgusting’ stretch marks and ‘wrinkled and floppy’ tum


A MUM-of-five revealed it took until the birth of her last child to finally love her post-pregnancy body after haters branded it ‘disgusting’ – but now she’s on a mission to get other mums to do the same.

Brenda Rivers Stearns shares Victoria, seven, Veronica, six, Samuel, five, Vanessa, three, and nine-month-old Benjamin with husband Isaiah, 37.

 Brenda is the proud mum to five children all aged seven and under

MDWfeatures / @she_plusfive

Brenda is the proud mum to five children all aged seven and under

The 32-year-old, from Ohio, USA, has amassed more than 25,000 followers on Instagram as she shares candid, moving posts about motherhood.

As her body changed with every pregnancy, Brenda has documented the the ups and downs of carrying children and the toll it has taken on her physically, but not everyone has found her posts inspiring.

She said: “I get it all. Hate messages, trolls, comments saying my body is disgusting or ugly.”

But added those trolls push her to post even more: “[They] fuel me to post again and again until we normalise the true beauty of a mum’s body.”

 Brenda and her husband Isaiah live in Ohio, USA, with their brood

MDWfeatures / @she_plusfive

Brenda and her husband Isaiah live in Ohio, USA, with their brood

Before getting pregnant for the first time Brenda weighted 7st 12lb and now weighs 8st 9lb – but she couldn’t be happier.

She said: “I wish I could have realised how strong and amazing my body was with my first baby.

“I don’t want others to wait as long as I did to love themselves for who they are right now.

“So, while society wants to sit behind a screen and label us as flawed, I am here to remind all of you that to our children we are perfect.

ALSO READ  Children are at risk from game shot with lead | Letter

“They see behind the stretched-out skin, marks, and lines. They see us for who we truly are.”

And she reminded any mums or mums-to-be who might be struggling with their bodies: “Your body grew a human inside. Not everybody has that privilege.”

 She says it took until her fifth pregnancy to love her body

MDWfeatures / @she_plusfive

She says it took until her fifth pregnancy to love her body

But Brenda said it has taken time to get to the stage where she truly feels confident in her own skin.

“I didn’t like my body, my breasts grew three times larger, I had stretch marks on my sides, my belly flopped, and I just didn’t feel beautiful,” she added.

“My breasts are way large, my belly is wrinkled and floppy, I have stretch marks on my sides, my abdomen isn’t flat.

“But it’s also changed in other ways, my body now is stronger, I have a higher tolerance for physical pain, my body loves deeper, my body can hold five babies, this body is capable of loving so much more than that pre-pregnancy one.”

 Brenda shares her journey of motherhood on social media

MDWfeatures / @she_plusfive

Brenda shares her journey of motherhood on social media

Motherhood – and birth – also hasn’t been plain sailing for Brenda.

“My first birth was a bit traumatic. I ended up with an emergency caesarean which left a huge scar on my lower abdomen,” she said.

“With each pregnancy and birth came more changes. It wasn’t until the birth of my fifth child that I gained confidence to love myself.

“It took me five pregnancies, two caesarean births, three unmedicated VBACs (vaginal birth after caesarean), and five beautiful healthy children to realise the depth of strength and beauty a woman’s body has.”

“I am very proud. My body carried life within me, not everyone has that privilege.”

ALSO READ  Not expecting: pregnancy after getting ‘tubes tied’ is surprisingly common
 Brenda's body has been labelled 'disgusting' and 'wrinkly'

MDWfeatures / @she_plusfive

Brenda’s body has been labelled ‘disgusting’ and ‘wrinkly’

MDWfeatures / @she_plusfive

Brenda is encouraging women to love their post-baby bodiesIt’s this powerful message which has resonated with followers, and Brenda says her haters simply inspire her to keep going – although she has moments of doubt.

“I want to be healthy and strong and stay active throughout my days,” she said.

“I have my moments when I feel ‘ugly’ and I usually snap out of it when I remind myself how far I’ve come.

“When I stop and think of what my body has done for me, I change the focus and start thanking my body, I take time for myself and slow down.”

Calling all mums, are you a snowplough parent? It’s the latest trend getting popular.

And this amazing childminder is offering an hour for free so busy mums can get their smear test done.

This might be popular among mums, Asda’s new anti-ageing range promises to reduce wrinkles in five minutes.



ALSO READ  What is a mummy MOT and do you need one?


READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.