When Tess Holliday, a plus-sized model and mom-to-be, got tired of people freely commenting on her pregnancy body, she took to instagram to show just how little she cares what they think.
Posing in front of a mirror, all clad in black underwear showing off her baby bump, she paired the photo with the caption: “Having another baby has been a beautiful process & at times, frustrating,” she says.
She revealed that she’s eight months along but her body really hasn’t changed that much save for her growing baby bump.
“What I’ve had to be learn to be okay with (WHICH IS NOT COOL),” she continued, “is the fact that people still think it’s okay to comment on my body: ‘you don’t look pregnant’, ‘you must be have quadruplets’, ‘you are putting your baby at risk’ & a slew of other uneducated statements that are very far from my reality.”
Having another baby has been a beautiful process & at times, frustrating. As I enter my 8th month, my body overall looks the same other than my belly & I’m okay with that. What I’ve had to be learn to be okay with (WHICH IS NOT COOL) is the fact that people still think it’s okay to comment on my body: “you don’t look pregnant”, “you must be have quadruplets”, “you are putting your baby at risk” & a slew of other uneducated statements that are very far from my reality ????. When “celebrities” are pregnant in the press, they look glamorous, toned & are eager to talk about how they are going to get the baby weight off. While I’ve done my best to look as put together as possible, that’s not real life, & it’s not for most women. I’m not the first plus size woman in the public eye to have a baby & share it with the world, & I certainly won’t be the last. However I’m part of a small minority that’s telling you it’s okay to not have a perfect baby bump, or not show at all, to be plus size & have a healthy child, & most importantly to find a care provider that doesn’t shame you about your size. It’s also okay to tell someone to fuck off when they give you unsolicited advice about what’s “best” for you & your baby. As women, we know what’s best & that’s our business.. No one else’s. ???? #effyourbeautystandards #theresnowrongwaytobeawoman #32weeks #babyhollidayontheway
A photo posted by Plus Model | Mom | Feminist???? (@tessholliday) on
All she can say to shamers is “peace out”, empowering other women to meet the same negativity with positivity and a confident body image.
Throughout her pregnancy, Tess has shared her journey with her 1.2 million instagram followers.
She gave birth to her son Rylee 10 years ago but she still recalls how she tried to be like other celebrities who always looked their best and were “eager to talk about how they are going to get the baby weight off.” But, she shares, “that’s not real life, & it’s not for most women.”
A photo posted by Plus Model | Mom | Feminist???? (@tessholliday) on
She reassures her followers, specifically those who are expecting, to stop being pressured to achieve perfection and to have the guts to speak out when they are feel shamed or harassed in any way.
“However I’m part of a small minority that’s telling you it’s okay to not have a perfect baby bump, or not show at all, to be plus size & have a healthy child, & most importantly to find a care provider that doesn’t shame you about your size,” she adds. “It’s also okay to tell someone to f*ck off when they give you unsolicited advice about what’s ‘best’ for you & your baby. As women, we know what’s best & that’s our business. No one else’s.”
As of this writing, Tess’ pregnant selfie has garnered nearly 46,000 likes, further proof that she’s ‘slayin” this whole pregnancy thing.
A photo posted by Plus Model | Mom | Feminist???? (@tessholliday) on
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