Valecia writes:
I’ve been a natural hair diva for a little over 2 years. I stopped relaxing my hair in September 2009 after I had been without a “perm” for 7 months! I thought I needed a relaxer for my wedding day; I hadn’t realized all the beautiful styles I could have tried with natural/transitioning hair. Let me not dwell on that because it burns me up now!
Anyhow, I did the BC in July of 2010 after transitioning for 10 months and I love my curls and coils! I often wish I had decided to do this sooner so that I’d be further along, but at least I started when I did.
I found out I was pregnant with my second child in the latter part of 2010. My first child was born 9 weeks premature so my doctor watched me closely with my second pregnancy. She told me that she recommended a c-section, which I found a bit disappointing, but I trust my doctor so I agreed. Instead of dwelling on not being able to have my second child naturally, I decided to continue embracing my natural hair journey and look great on my delivery day! I told my husband early on that I was going to be a “diva” on delivery day and he chuckled, but he discovered I was very much serious!
I, like many other pregnant ladies, packed my hospital bag weeks before my expected delivery. My hospital bag included what most expectant mothers would pack; however, I also threw in some cute sundresses (my baby was born in July in the Deep South), headbands, jewelry, makeup, and some styling products-Suave Natural Coconut Conditioner, Organics Olive Oil Leave-in, and Smooth and Shine Curl Activator. When the big day arrived, I was very calm. My second child birth experience wasn’t an emergency so I was able to take my time and get ready…and get ready I did! I two-strand twisted my hair and put it in a bun. I put on a beret. I got my make-up bag out and put my “face” on. I applied some strip lashes. Then, my husband whisked me away to the hospital for my planned c-section.
All the pictures I posted to Facebook or sent via text post-delivery got replies like, “Girl, you look great” or “You don’t look like you had a baby” or “Go ‘head Val! You really did it”! I know some might have felt that me being concerned with my hair and looks when I was about to have a baby was silly, but making sure I looked nice for all the pictures I knew would be sent out didn’t take away from the importance of my little one. We’re human beings; we’re capable of complex thoughts and feelings!
With that being said, my second child birth was a different and fun experience! I don’t know, however, if it was fun enough to try for a third child. That’s something to discuss that with my husband…years down the road! : – )
Me, after delivery via c-section (I took down my two-strand twists and put my hair in a bun.)
ready to go home!
Did you get divafied for D-Day?
CN Says-
And you know this!
nice to read this purple. good luck mate 🙂
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congrats!! baby is so beautiful, you look fanta fabulous
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I just found out I am pregnant!!!Surprise!:-). I will probally need to have a c-section as well due to previous surgery but if all goes well with the pregnancy I too plan to look fierce…When you look good you feel good. Congrats
Mrs. Val,
What a beautiful poignant response that comes from a beautiful woman (inside and out). Looking at your last picture almost brought tears to my eyes. Your children are lucky to have such a wonderful mom who will instill in them the self-confidence to love themselves. When I had my first child, I had locs down to my waist, but the hormones from pregnancy caused my hairline to thin out and it was so crazy because I had these long locs hanging on by literally 3 strands of hair! I was so self-conscious about it. Eventually I cut my hair off, only to become pregnant again and …… same thing! Only this time I had a afro, but the hairline fell out completely. It is the first thing that I see every day in the mirror, and I was just contemplating shaving my head again and then I read this post. You have inspired me to be proud instead of self-conscious. Having my two babies gave me this 'new' hairline and I wouldn't change them for anything in the world!!!! Thanks!!!! 🙂
I too am expecting my first and have been trying to figure out how to do deal with my hair during and post pregancy as well as for the birth. Your pics are great and you look FAB! Congrats!
What a great idea! You looked beautiful!
I hope to become pregnant and have a healthy baby. I will definitely try to look my best during labor & delivery.
awesome pics beautiful baby Hair Transplant in Pakistan
Wow. I wanna be like you when I grow up. It was SO smart for you to pull it together for the pics. Women don't have to look like they've been through war after they've given birth. Childbirth is beautiful.. and you showed that. Love it!
I loved this story… You look beautiful and are such an inspiration. Your baby is such a cutie pie. God bless!
Let 'em know Miss Val!!!! Be happy with you!! You look beautiful in your pics!!!
Jas
Ms. Val, you looked AMAZING, I don't have any children yet but I will keep this in mind. You just inspired me, I will be to fly to get by on the day I bring my little one into the world.
Thank you for the tips Diva!!
Stay blessed…
This comment has been removed by the author.
3 words for you Ms. Val…..BEAU TI FUL!!!!(smile) You and baby Ty Ty.
You look fab! I love Rachel Zoe (the fashion stylist/designer) and she was pressed to be fierce or at least look a little glam when planning her delivery. I was like, WTH? Then I thought why not. Who said you had to be looking crazy, especially if you have time to plan. Congrats to you! And you can never go wrong with pearls; classic and classy 😉 Love it!
Congrats on the new baby, I went through a very similar situation where I got my hair done last minute micrbraids and my water broke as I was in the chair… lol thank God I was with my mother in law who drove me to the hospital..I actually told them to finish the last 3 – 4 braids. LOL
So you are not alone. i just didnt have the chance to do makeup because it was an emergency c section when I got there because I had a low placenta. Next time maybe I can be more prepared LOL
you, my dear, are beautiful. my favorite pic is the one with your glasses. your brows are on point, chile. and i don't even know what that other fool is talkin bout, your edges look fine to me, you're wearing it up, what, you supposed to look like eddie munster in here? anyhoo, congratulations on the baby!
Absolutely loved this post! I am 10 weeks away from delivering my 2nd … and I remember with my first my mom combed my hair in several plaits which I had pinned up. 'Though I am currently transitioning … and thinking I'd do away with the plaits the 2nd time around …. you've just inspired me to get my face-on. LMAO. Love it!
I had locs when I had my daughter so it didn't even occur to me. I do remember asking for a c-section when she started to crown though lol.
I have full intention of being done up as well. Since I was a little girl I've seen after birth photos and thought dang, 'she looks like hell', however well deserved. I'm trying to conceive now and, if I can, I fully plan to wash and set my hair and have on a full budge proof face. Photos are FOREVER. I want a lot of pictures and I want to feel confident when the camera is flashing. 😉
Loves it girl! YOU LOOK FABBBB! I did the exact same thing when I had my third and last baby. I went in and out looking like a diva that the nurses and doctor took notice in it. I loved it and had fun. Congrats to you girly! Baby is a beauty!
*Taking notes*
You betta work Val! Congrats on the new baby!
I wish! My daughter was born at 38 weeks and I had contractions for about 36 hours before they finally broke my water. So, my permed flat hair was the last thing on my mind. I threw it in a pony tailed for the next two weeks. LOL!
But you rocked it girl, you looked awesome. Congrats on the adorable baby :)!
GIRL… that was the only day I didn't care WHAT I looked like, lmao. I cared beforehand up until, and wished I had braided my hair but things didn't fall into place and I probably looked the worst I've ever looked.
You looked fantastic! I really mean that. If I do decide to conceive another one of these busybodies PLEASE BELIEVE everything will done and done, no questions asked, lol.
Congratulations!!! 🙂
Loves it diva! You looked wonderful and congrats on a beautiful healthy baby. I wished I had taken the time to make myself up when I had my girls. It is sad people have to be so negative but I loved your response. Be Blessed!
Anonymous @ 1:41 – obviously a troll. Stop the negatvity and move on…attacking a woman who just had a baby, sad – smh. You were WERKING IT "V"
Omg yes I did this lol. I was relaxed then and I curled it and applied my make-up. I drove myself to the hospital and my mama met me up there. They gave me pitocin and broke my water and I told my mother to paint my toenails before the contractions got too bad. But it was all a waste because I had an emergency c-section lol
Congratulations Natural Mama! The baby is beautiful! And you look lovely. Why did you need a C-Section?
I am loving those pearls Ms. Val! I love your response to the haters too. Keep it classy, girl!
tiannamae.blogspot.com
Motherhood is beautiful! 🙂
You looked absolutely gorgeous Val. I wish I had looked half as good. Your edges look just fine. Everyone can't have that hairline that connects to their eyebrows.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words, especially about my baby! I do adore my little Ty Ty (nickname for Titus)! I pray a safe delivery for the expecting mothers that commented and blessings on the mothers who commented after reminscing about their own deliveries! Also, I pray blessings on the future mothers; basically, I pray for the well-being of you all! Being a DIVA isn't even about how you look….it is about how you carry yourself! So…if you sweated off your makeup or your hair was all over your head (like I was with my first child), it doesn't matter. You're a DIVA when you handle your business and be the best mother you can be! 🙂
Both you and the baby are beautiful.
LOVE the pics!!! You look fabulous!!! Girl you took it to the next level with the pearls. I wish I would've had my sexy on when I delivered. I was just in shock the whole time when I was in the hospital that I was about to have my baby. My hair was in a bun and I was relaxed. By the time I had my lil munchkin my hair was out the bun and a tangled mess. Then the aftermath of my hair coming out in huge clumps.
In regards to the other person making a comment. People should just be happy to have hair on their heads. I mean really….that's the best comment that you thought of to come out of your mouth. GIRL BYE!!!!
Val – do you girl, go on and do you.
I like the fact that you got all dolled up and even put on pearls. Giving birth and having a new child are both big events and yes you might as well look good. U don't look like you just had a baby!
Well with my first born, my son, I had a relaxer and the pony tail was popping to the back. My second, my daughter, I was natural and the hair was not popping. She came a month early so she was definitely a surprise and those two corn rows I put in before I got ready for bed was what I wore to the hospital at 12:00 am lol. So no Diva-fied deliveries over here, but you were definitely rocking your look. Work -it and congrats on the baby.
I absolutely adore this story!
Congrats on the arrival on your little one :). You look good in all of the pictures, but my favorite is the one with your glasses on holding your child.
______________________
Also congrats to one of my favorite Youtubers "EDHILL1988" on the birth of her daughter Karysn Analee 10/25/011. She's a natural as well and the baby is gorgeous. To see her you can view it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMXPQtcrBzA&feature=channel_video_title
U look absolutely adorable! Your baby is a cutie – congrats! And your response to basic, bitter, bum broads was very classy.
Most definitely!
I got a mani/pedi, eyebrows, and groomed my bikini area. Seemed frivolous until the nurse in the surgery room thanked me before my C-section lol.
I completely neglected my hair though, which was not unusual for my pre natural self.
Cute story with cute pics to match! Congrats on your baby.
For my first (and probably only!) child, I knew I was going to have a c-section because of my prior hip surgeries. However, I didn't get cute at all. Hair was big and thick, no make up, no nothing. Just me and my greasy face, beaming with my husband's puffy redshot eyes, and our very pale, squealing newborn. I think we all looked fabulous! LOL
OMG some females crack me up hating on someone they obviously envy. Got to have just one Hater some dawg gon where and its sad, brush that chick off cuz obviously she hates herself cuz she not as cute or something plus she wished she can get this much love, po bitter child we gon pray for you. i see why you cant put your real name " anonymous" whoa!! Anyways Val you look completely amazing as Always edges and all, you rockin it my natural chicka friend.
Aww you look very nice and your hair is lovely. But most importantly the baby is here and healthy so congrats!!!!!!!I looked like a water buffalo after the birth of my daughter (through emergency csection). I said the next baby i ain't going out like that.
You looked great! Wow, my post delivery pictures(baby was born 2 weeks early at 38 weeks) were plain ugly, lol. Not just post, but days after. I have people saying that they are shocked that was me. But oh well, it was all worth it. 😉 Love the pearls, lol.
why the horrible comments,if you haven't got nothing good to say don't say it!i love Mrs Val response it was classy and reflection of her character!:)*thumbs up*
This is so hood to say but I am going to say it!!! Pimping ain't easy!! You look awesome and congrats on the baby!
Who are the anonymous grinches spewing negativity? Geez.
Personally, I never showed my birthing pictures to anyone outside my immediate family but I suppose in the age of FB I might have done it. You looked really cute and like you did no work whatsoever. lol! That's what I call glam!
~Poeticlyspkng
Her edges look fine.
My hair looked horrible for both my deliveries. It was back in 2000 and 2001. I was permed then. I wish I was natural then.
I am due this Sunday Oct 30th and I plan on looking and feeling my best, unlike my previous 3 pregancies. I have my natural hair care products on board, items for my OCM (Oil cleansing method), Shea Moisture Bath Products (so i can smell GREAT) and Makeup for the face. I can't be scaring lil' "Zechariah" on his first day here!!!
To anon 1:41, your comment was TOTALLY uncalled for!!!
Valecia, you look great girl…loving the pearls. 🙂
@ 1:41 who decided to be a hater on my sister GET THE HECK ON WITH THAT UNTIL YOU CAN POST YOUR OWN PICTURE!!! GET BACK !!!!!!!!!1
You look so beautiful. I just had my second child in august of this year. I did make sure my hair was semi decent lol. With my first daughter I was just all out there lol. But with my second child I went natural once I found out I was pregnant since my hair was already short. Even though I wasn't as diva up as I wanted to on the delivery table. I think with my new found curls and my beautiful recovery, i have found a new confidence and beauty within.. again congrads on your new blessing
Why so rude? @October 27, 2011 1:41
"@October 27, 2011 1:41 PM
Anonymous said…
You need to worry about your shrinking edges and not how good you going to look on Facebook!
Sorry, it needed to be said…" – NO…It really did not need to be said, she wasn't seeking hair advise.
Love your response Mrs. Val.
You Look fab!! And I love it, I hope that when I Have my first child (after marriage) I will have time to doll myself up…
You go!! (sometimes ppl can be so negative for no reason)… I love your response!!!
Congrats on the baby. You looked AWESOME!
I still a perm when i was pregnant with my second child which was a planned c-section. The day before, I got a mani-pedi and my hair done. I did just have surgery and I did mini twist. I packed cute scarves, headbands and hair pins. Olive oil and a little bit of gel.
If it makes you feel better doing it up, have fun with it. Because when you get home, that's it!! LOL
You rock girlie 🙂 A true diva. You represented. 🙂 I really enjoyed you article well. Nice way for your baby boy to meet his mom.
To anonymous at 1:41 PM, thanks for your apparent "concern", but my edges have always been fine and my hairline has always looked the way it looked…and I'm happy with it! 🙂 God didn't give me full edges that I see in other people, but He gave me what He gave me and I'll proudly rock my natural hair (with my fine edges) until He calls me home!
Lol This is AWESOME! Loved the story and you look GREAT!
Love it! Your post delivery pics are fabulous.
Wow congrats on your new baby! Im glad you got all dolled up as birth is not glamourous and the looks department can be the last thing on your mind. i have two kids and for my daughter i tried to look glam but my daughter was late by one week and had a water birth somy then relaxed hair was a matted mess afterwards!For my second i stopped relaxing but still wasn't able to fix my hair how i wanted.I love the pearls though soo glam. 🙂
You need to worry about your shrinking edges and not how good you going to look on Facebook!
Sorry, it needed to be said…
Beautiful baby!
This must be what parents to be do these days…lol
'cause looking good was the last of my worries with contractions but then again I didnt have a "planned" delivery (C-section)!
Pearls too? Well damn!
Girl, yes! While having contractions with my first child, I was flat-ironing my then relaxed hair so that I would look good in the post-delivery pics 🙂
LOl and she got her pearls too!!! Get it!
I had just got my done with my last child when the doctor asked did I feel the contractions. I was 10 weeks early. Needless to say I was a horid diva. I didn't even have a bag with me. I had my son and my purse. I had to be locked down and bed ridden until delivery. but my mom the natural hair diva twisted my hair up and kissed my head with the "yo head shouls is nappy" look.