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Home · Love & Sex

This Black Mom Beautifully Embraced Her Stretch Marks In A Maternity Shoot

New Jersey native Christina Temitope sent a powerful message to other moms about embracing the body's changes during pregnancy.
This Black Mom Bared Her Stretch Marks In Maternity Shoot For A Powerful Reason
By Jasmine Grant · Updated November 4, 2020

When it comes to stretch marks, science agrees that the majority of women, especially moms, will develop them at some point in their lifetime. But for some reason, it’s one of the cosmetic issues women seek to eliminate or hide the most. New Jersey mom and beauty blogger Christina Temitope Abiola fought back against this stigma with a stunning maternity shoot just before the birth of her baby girl.

Throughout her pregnancy, Abiola developed deep stretch marks that covered the entirety of her growing belly. The marks made her so uncomfortable, she says she delayed her maternity shoot until she was 38 weeks pregnant. Abiola says that after being dissatisfied with the heavily edited versions of her photos, she decided to confront her fears head-on and show her belly in its true form.

View this post on Instagram

#BTS Insecurity is a dangerous thing. I believe It restrains us from for filling our full potential. When it came down to shooting my maternity photos I was truly afraid. So afraid I delayed it to 38 weeks pregnant!! time was truly running out and I wanted my memories! At first I asked the photographer to try and edit the marks. However it was so much the edit made it look off. So I said no worries let’s do! I’ve been struggling with embracing my marks because I felt like I was the only one who’s experienced such an extreme amount. My entire belly was covered and I felt like I was doing something wrong.. I was more worried about after having her if they’d even go away and how long it would take.. but through the love and support of friends and family I feel very secure! I like to call my marks beauty marks! Because my marks represent the beautiful life I brought to the world! I honestly would do it all over again for her ❤️❤️❤️ #tbt – – – #stretchmarks #security #selflove #motherhood #bodypositive #mom

A post shared by Christina Temitope Abiola (@jesusgang) on Oct 30, 2019 at 2:53pm PDT

“I’ve been struggling with embracing my marks because I felt like I was the only one who’s experienced such an extreme amount,” she shared on Instagram. “My entire belly was covered and I felt like I was doing something wrong.. I was more worried about after having her if they’d even go away and how long it would take. Through the love and support of friends and family I feel very secure!”

To no surprise, the shoot came turned out stunning. They even went viral just before Abiola and her partner Lamar Grant welcomed their baby girl Aniyah to the world!

View this post on Instagram

Today we blessed the names of our baby Girl! Welcome Aniyah Oluwanifemi Grant to the family! ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Christina Temitope Abiola (@jesusgang) on Nov 2, 2019 at 3:44pm PDT

There are a number of products being marketed to expecting moms to prevent stretch marks from forming. Ingredients like cocoa butter, almond oil and olive oil are said to be helpful with maintaining elasticity as the belly stretches. However, no magic bullet exists. About 90% of women will get them after their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Genetics also plays a role, meaning women will likely have stretch marks if their mother had them.

Kudos to Ms. Abiola for her bravery! See more photos from her maternity shoot in the gallery below.

01
Christina Temitope Abiola Maternity Shoot
This Black Mom Bared Her Stretch Marks In Maternity Shoot For A Powerful Reason
02
Christina Temitope Abiola Maternity Shoot
Pure beauty!
This Black Mom Bared Her Stretch Marks In Maternity Shoot For A Powerful Reason
03
Christina Temitope Abiola Maternity Shoot
Slay mama!
This Black Mom Bared Her Stretch Marks In Maternity Shoot For A Powerful Reason
04
Christina Temitope Abiola Maternity Shoot
We love Black love!
This Black Mom Bared Her Stretch Marks In Maternity Shoot For A Powerful Reason
TOPICS:  black moms Black motherhood stretch marks
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