Post-pregnancy bodies celebrated on Instagram
'My mother's body has made three children'
An Instagram account that helps women celebrate their post-pregnancy bodies has been embraced by new mums.
Followers are encouraged to share a realistic photo of themselves, post-partum, along with their thoughts and feelings about their bodies and babies.
It's called @takebackpostpartum and features photos of real mums with real bodies as they care for their newborn babies.
Image: Instagram @takebackpostpartum
One mum wrote, "When I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to take an honest postpartum picture, and this is mine.
"I thought I'd have some pregnancy pudge, loose skin, maybe stretch marks.
"Instead there are bruises from all the IVs and blood draws, pale skin, hospital maternity underwear, greasy hair because that's my last priority, and a whole bunch of things about me that are trying to "bounce back" that I didn not anticipate, things that can't be photographed, only expressed verbally.
"So I want to take you all who have taken the time to thank me for, support me in, and encourage me to share my story openly and uncensored either privately or in the comments.
"All that love helps me feel like it is safe not to be quiet about the reality of my birth and postpartum experience and it reminds me that it's not just for me to mend myself, but also for other women who might feel isolated that need to see their own stories reflected back at them, validated, not hidden in shame."
In another post a woman says, "Value yourself for what the media doesn't - your intelligence, your street smarts, your ability to play a kick-ass game of pool, whatever.
"So long as it's not just valuing yourself for your ability to look hot in a bikini."
A mum with two kids wrote, " 16 MONTHS #postpartum after my twin pregnancy.
"30 kilograms get and lost in the shortest time.
"My mother's body has made three children and two births. A caesarean section, excess skin, pregnancy stripes, and muscles that have pulled apart.
"That's me. The miracle of life."
And a clearly exhausted mum wrote, "Although motherhood may not always look and feel beautiful, it is by far life's most beautiful experience."
The results are beautiful, stunning reminders of just how incredible the process of creating a child is.
Auto news: BMW i8 production to end in April - caradvice.com.au