Danielle Brooks: 'Having A Baby Made Me Feel Like I Knew Myself On A Deeper Level'

Danielle Brooks, As Told To Cassie Shortsleeve
Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

From Women's Health

People talk about the first trimester of pregnancy and how challenging it can be. I expected to be tired and have sore breasts and not get my period (that part was nice). For me, the first trimester had its challenges, but I didn't go through all the crazy throwing up and and not being able to get out of bed. In fact, I worked up until five months in doing "Shakespeare in the Park."

I was also quite calm while I was expecting. Every pregnancy is different, but for me, I found I didn't care as much about certain things that used to hold much more weight for me. I was creating a whole human being, and that put things in perspective in a new way—which was such a cool part of the process.

I didn't realize I was going to be learning so much about myself before my baby even got here.

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Round, brown, and creating something profound. Almost time for her to bloom. 🌺 📸@islandboiphotography Creative direction by @moshoodat @theartistknownasjae @infamousmstish #momtobe #pregnancyphotoshoot

A post shared by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Nov 8, 2019 at 8:44am PST

When I became a mother in November, I felt like I knew myself on a deeper level than before, because suddenly I was imparting what I've learned and who I am to another human being. And so that's been really cool, too, finding ways to use my voice and share knowledge. I'm very hungry to get back to my acting work, but there's also other type of work that I need to do.

I also love that, through my role on the Netflix Family series A Little Bit Pregnant, I get to normalize some of the feelings around pregnancy and new motherhood. We look at what it's like to experience symptoms like foot swelling and fluctuating hormones—or how bizarre it is to feel like no one cares about you once the baby comes because it's suddenly all about them. That's just one of the normal emotions new moms can experience, and that's okay.

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This moment is sacred. 👑 This moment is about birth and RE-birth. 👑 This moment is discovering new parts of myself that I never knew existed before. 👑 This moment is about gaining clarity on what I will or will not except so that when my daughter watches me, she is clear on who she is and what she believes. 👑 This moment is understanding what’s worth my energy and what is not. 👑 This moment is unapologetically leaning on those that truly understand the definition of family and friendship. 👑 This moment is about experiencing all that life has to offer me as a woman. I’m living and basking in the right now! And it feels damn good. #mothertobe 📸 @islandboiphotography Hair: @infamousmstish Makeup: @theartistknownasjae

A post shared by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Oct 17, 2019 at 8:36am PDT

I feel like having a voice is a gift. I know how blessed I am to be in this position, and I don't take that for granted.

Actress Danielle Brooks gave birth to her daughter on November 16, 2019. Her series, A Little Bit Pregnant, is available via Netflix Family on YouTube.

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