I admire abs on a woman. I’ve never had them myself, but I’ve done enough planks and sit ups to know it takes discipline for a woman to get a six pack. Discipline I haven’t had the motivation to keep up. #shoppingismycardio
So when a woman shows off her discipline in the form of her abs – she totally gets my R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
But not everyone appreciates a woman showing off her abs. The comments can be nasty when a woman shares her fit physique online. Especially after they’ve given birth.
Recently, fitness guru and model Chontel Duncan shared part of her birth story on Instagram.
The story was picked up by various media outlets, but the comments weren’t especially positive from women.
The original post had Ms Duncan share her feelings of being told she had to have a c-section, when birth complications meant she couldn’t deliver her baby vaginally.
The model shared her c-section scar, 7 months after having her first son, Jeremiah.
She explained in the caption how her abs made it hard for doctors to get her baby out, and she felt like a failure when she couldn’t give birth naturally.
“I cried I felt like I failed… but then Sam reminded me of my mantra which was ‘to go through all means necessary so baby feels nothing.”
“With confidence I signed the forms and within 20 mins had my baby in my arms. They struggled to rip Jeremiah from my tummy as my abs locked him in super tight as I began vomiting during the operation.
“This is why my scar was cut up on my right side because the surgeon had to cut me further and use forceps to successfully get Jeremiah out. Perhaps a down side to a strong core.”
Ms Duncan shared how she has a large scar and she can feel the centre scar tissue.
“I tried Bepanthen Scar Treatment & Skincerity breathable masque an [sic] this is what I have been left with. I would love 3 more children & I will always try for a vaginal birth with each one.
“So to all the women out there wearing a cesarean scar, I am VERY proud of what mine means and for the beautiful gift I received through mine. They are memories of the day we all became mummies.”
Ms Duncan’s personal post was liked more than 11,500 times and many fans praised the HIIT founder with her honesty. Due to the viral response, Ms Duncan’s story was shared via various news sites, which unfortunately received criticism from other women.
Ms Duncan shared in another post yesterday,
“Sharing a very short brief over on my birth of Jeremiah last week & exposing my Caesarian scar has been the interest of many news articles. What’s so disgusting though is seeing other women rip me to shreds, what ever happen to women empowerment? I will never stop leading by example in hopes that I can change this nasty behaviour that seems to still exists. I remember posting a photo of Kim K months ago & receiving so much hate for supporting her, when my post was innocently giving her praise over her post baby bod. My message is that we need to support each other more & stop bashing other women down. Happy Monday “
For many women, the comments seem warranted due to too much expectation placed on women to get back to their pre-pregnancy body-shape and weight. It can be an ostracizing subject as many women find it hard to cope with the demands of a new baby, let alone the pressure to get back to her weight prior to pregnancy.
But Ms Duncan wants to change that, by inspiring mums to get fit and healthy.
She also wants mums to understand that just because they’re fit, doesn’t mean their birth plan will go according to plan. A six pack doesn’t guarantee an easier birth. This was the reason why Ms Duncan’s shared her personal experience online.
But she’s still proud of how her body coped with the new birth plan when things didn’t go as she had wanted.
She told her fans, “Growing a human for almost 40 weeks, creating life, having major abdominal surgery, feeding my son for now 4mths & all of those sessions in the gym… I’m proud of my body and all it’s done.”
