American plus-size model Ashley Graham welcomed her first child into the world last week, a beautiful baby boy named Isaac.
The 32-year-old has appeared on the cover of Vogue, walked for every major fashion designer and is a body positivity advocate, after becoming the first size 16 model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s famous swimsuit issue.
And now she has opened up about her childbirth experience, speaking with her videographer husband Justin Ervin on her Pretty Big Deal podcast.
Ashley revealed that she chose to give birth at home in a birthing pool and refused any medical assistance or drugs, preferring to have a natural birth.
“I have to say, now that I gave birth and I did it naturally and I felt everything, I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do,” she said.
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“There’s nothing that could come my way where I say, ‘Oh, that’s too hard, I can’t handle that.’ I went through labouring for six hours naturally.”
Ashley talked about her birthing experience on her Pretty Big Deal podcast.
(Credit: Supplied)
She kissed and cuddled her newborn son.
(Credit: Supplied)She explained she chose to deliver her son at home in a birthing pool because her “anxiety would’ve been through the roof” if she had been at a hospital.
Ashley’s husband Justin said he loved being able to immediately spend time with his son in their family home.
“To go straight from the pool to the bed with our son and just hold him, what a bond,” Justin said.
The sweet photo Ashley uploaded to Instagram.
(Credit: Instagram)Ashley first announced she had given birth in an Instagram post yesterday, uploading a beautiful black and white photo of herself holding her son’s hand.
“At 6:00PM on 1/18/2020 we welcomed 7lbs 5oz [3.31kg] of love into our world,” Ashley wrote.
“Meeting our son has made our heart incredibly full.”
And later on, she posted a video of herself and husband Justin, where she again told her followers about her drug-free birth.
“Nothing prepares you for just how magical and intense giving birth is; I’m so grateful that I was able to deliver naturally in my home with my husband by my side for all 6 hours of labour,” she wrote.
“Holding my baby for the first time is a moment I’ll never forget. Such a special moment in my life deserved a BIG announcement!”
Ashley pictured during her pregnancy.
(Credit: Getty)
Ashley and her husband Justin pictured before Ashley fell pregnant.
(Credit: Getty)Ashley also revealed her son’s full name on her podcast – Isaac Menelik Giovanni Ervin – and explained that it was her husband who named their child, explaining he has loved the name Isaac ever since he was in high school.
“My sister Kia and I would have discussions about, ‘Oh, one day, when we have kids’,” Justin said.
“I brainstormed my own name for my future son, and I knew it was gonna be Isaac.”
WATCH BELOW: Ashley Graham embraces her “bigger” figure in nude Instagram post. Story continues after video.
Isaac’s middle name “Menelik”, was inspired by the couple’s trip to Ethiopia. Ethopia’s first king was called Menelik I, meaning “son of the wise.”
