Jordin Sparks walks red carpet just three days after giving birth
Jordin Sparks turned heads on the red carpet for her new film just three days after giving birth — and the internet is loving it. But is this really something to be praising?
The “American Idol” alum revealed she gave birth to her first child, a son named Dana Isaiah Thomas on May 2. Just three days later on May 5, Sparks had her waist snatched and legs on full display in a floral Saloni mini dress as she attended the premiere of her new film “Show Dogs.”
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The 28-year-old star revealed that she delivered her child naturally with the help of her husband, 25-year old model, Dana Isaiah. The baby, whom they’ll call DJ, weighed a healthy 8 lbs 4.5 oz and was delivered at the Natural Birth Center & Women’s Wellness in Los Angeles.
“It was miraculously beautiful,” Sparks told People. “Dana caught him with my midwife, Simona, and when he handed him to me, I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy. He was and is everything we imagined.”
Sparks told reporters that her son was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice, but is doing just fine.
Whether or not Spanx or a diaper were involved is anyone’s guess, but Sparks’s appearance is pretty remarkable — although perhaps a little worrisome. Without mom-shaming Sparks, one has to wonder if her returning to work so soon after delivering a baby is something to be proud of.
Yes, all bodies are differently — and there are many women around the world who have to return to work shortly after delivering a baby out of necessity. However, given the exhausting and at times traumatic process of giving birth, one shouldn’t expect Sparks’s “bounce back” to be the norm.
There are many women who will view Sparks ability to pee without burning let alone stand in heels as alien, and perhaps compare themselves and their delivery experiences to the singer and actress. If anything, Sparks’s public appearance shows a dedication to her work which, again again, we’re not trying to mom shame, seemingly places a priority over her physical healing and well-being.
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There is already enough pressure on women to “do it all” and to look perfect doing so. Returning to work so soon after giving birth is Sparks’s choice, and it is her prerogative to do so, however it sets a precedent for women to see that there’s a woman who gives birth and heals “better” than she does.
Last month, Kate Middleton came under fire for posing for photographers less than seven hours after giving birth to her third child, Prince Louis of Cambridge. Moms took to the internet to share photos of themselves approximately seven hours after delivery to show the vast difference between people in the public eye and those who aren’t.
Perhaps this is another case of women in the public feeling the pressure of their professional duties, or perhaps it is simply a case of a new mom feeling great and ready to get back to work. Regardless, one should be careful to administer overwhelming praise to someone for appearing as though they haven’t given birth at all. What Sparks, or the Duchess of Cambridge, did is nothing short of incredible and empowering — but it’s not for everyone.
It takes almost 10 months to grow a baby – it most definitely takes more than three days to heal from delivering one.
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