Transgender people’s ecstatic joy when giving birth by giving birth naturally at home.
Danny Wakefield has been a fierce advocate for the LGBT community for the past decade. And now, he’s making an even stronger statement by giving birth as a trans man. The experience of bringing a new life into the world is an indescribable feeling, but photographs capturing that moment can be a beautiful way to convey it. Such was the case with Danny’s journey, as an influencer who recently gave birth to his daughter Wilder Lea after a ten-hour labor. Six emotional photos document the experience, with Danny shown sitting in an indoor pool, exerting all his strength to bring his child into the world through natural childbirth. The final photo captures the climax, as Danny holds his newborn daughter on his chest, overcome with emotion at the momentous occasion.
“This is the moment my little one was born into the world. The delivery happened so quickly that my [vaginal] labia was torn and I needed five internal stitches. I feel tough from my battle wounds and am currently healing with four lips. Along with sharing the images of the birth, Danny also posted a video of the final push as his daughter came into the world. The footage also showcases the presence of his mother, who is wearing a protective mask against the coronavirus, holding Danny’s hand and offering support during the birth amidst the ongoing pandemic.”
Danny shared a touching photo of his newborn daughter lying on his chest, showing her delicate facial expression to those who wanted a closer look. Overwhelmed with emotion, he declared, “All of you were right, this is the most incredible moment of my life.”
Before his daughter’s birth, Danny had been advocating for the transgender community for a decade, working to promote body positivity and respect. However, as his pregnancy progressed and his belly grew, his focus shifted to raising awareness about fatphobia in parenting and promoting compassion and understanding towards all types of bodies.
He expresses, “Although this baby is still in the process of developing, everything is fine. As I gaze down at my belly, I’m amazed at the beauty that I see in my own body. Through this pregnancy, I have been granted the opportunity to love my baby on a level that resonates with my very soul.”
Danny Wakefield initially struggled with insecurities about the changes in their body during pregnancy. A few months ago, when weighed at the emergency room, they felt shame seeing that they had gained an extra 70 pounds. This number caused a momentary dislike of their body, but Danny recognized the danger of staying silent and letting shame grow. As Brene Brown teaches, silence is a breeding ground for shame, so Danny opened up and talked about their feelings.
The influencer emphasized that instead of trying to silence it, he sat with his shame and held it close like a newborn until it slowly dissolved. He acknowledged that his body, no matter what number was on the scale, is big and beautiful. He also revealed that three years ago, despite receiving constant praise for being thin, he was deeply addicted to meth and sicker than ever, a fact unknown to many at the time.
Many individuals who are overweight like Danny have had similar experiences and share the same request: to stop making comments about other people’s bodies without being asked. As Danny emphasized, it’s impossible to know what others are going through or how close to death they may be, despite how they may look to others.
Danny also had a message for those struggling with addiction, urging them to remember that they are worthy of recovery and a fulfilling life. Recovery is possible, and once achieved, one’s greatest aspirations can come true.
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