A farm girl who moved to NYC, and then left a few 20 years later to the countryside. A model, and now, photographer, Danielle crushed Max Effort Training throughout her pregnancy.
I was in awe of my body. The fact that we do all of these things - push our bodies to the extreme [and yet] it does what it needs to do, it creates life. I always gave my body a lot of respect because of how it functions and moves but this was a whole other level of respect - growing a human, going through labor, then healing again. Entire organs going back to where they need to be...wow! It gave me a lot of respect for women who have done it before me.
Self-care was focused on healing. Eating real food like homemade soups from friends - warm, home-cooked food all day, and being horizontal. Oh, also frozen witch hazel Maxi Pads. Sorry dudes, but people need to know this.
Having a home birth was incredible because we went right from the living room to the bedroom. Being able to be at home, already cuddling and nursing was perfect.
But I didn't understand postpartum. I am strong and independent so I thought I would be up doing things myself - I spent 64 hours in labor, bled for a month, felt weak, and was naive about the whole [postpartum] process. I had to ask for help and I'm very uncomfortable asking for help. 2020 In general, being pregnant and in Covid was a lesson in asking for help.
The people around me made it super comfortable to ask. But letting people know what I needed was the uncomfortable part.
In Atlas’ room, I put down a gymnastic mat. For him, but also so I can do a little something-something. Plates, weights, or a workout with him. This way I don't have to set time aside and can just do it whenever I can.
I like who I am. My childhood formed me. Of course, there are always things we learn that we might want to do differently, but there’s a lot of things I loved about my childhood. I had the trust to run wild and free - literally - through the countryside, feeding my curiosity. I had to take care of horses. I wasn't babied and understood the respect for life.
I want to make sure Atlas helps me cook and that he’s a part of everything I’m doing. Guiding his curiosity and not stunting it.
I’m also learning about attachment theory. So I want to make sure Atlas has healthy attachments, or relationships, as he gets older.
That your intuition is important - to tap in and listen to yourself. Also, that I have a great partner and I need to listen to him more. My stubbornness has gotten in my way. It's a dance of self and others. I'm just trying to have grace with it!
I am selling some of my prints!
danielleredman.com
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