January Harshe is a mother of six and founder of BirthWithoutFearBlog.com.
Earlier this year just before the birth of her youngest child, the Texas mom noticed that the Instagram hashtag #postpartum was overrun with weight loss ads and miracle cures for stretch marks. That didn't sit well with Harshe.
At the time, she wrote on her website:
"Anytime mothers hashtag their beautiful photos of themselves, their babies, their motherhood lives, even their pregnancies, births, healthy food and exercise pics…they are harassed. People comment or message them telling them if they want to actually look good then [these people] can 'help' with their product.
Just no.
Getting healthier and fit is awesome! Moms comes in all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. We are all on our own journey and progressing and working through our crazy, tired, postpartum, motherhood lives the best we can at any given time. This is not about comparing. This is about becoming united."
And with that the blogger launched the @takebackpostpartum Instagram account and hashtag.