Just like average, everyday bodies, postpartum bodies vary in shape and size. In a matter of weeks, some women can return to their pre-pregnancy figure. Others are stuck with their pregnancy weight for the rest of their lives. These women’s physiques are all stunning. With this in mind, one woman decided to share a photo of her post-baby body just hours after giving birth, and her message about handling her postpartum looks has caught a lot of attention from fellow mothers.

Elise Raquel, from west Australia, posted a picture of herself on Instagram in a bid to show her 30,000 followers what a real post-pregnancy body looks like in its “rawest and most ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙʟᴇ state.”

She admitted that after giving birth to daughter Willa, she has finally learned to be proud of her body, including the extra kilos and stretch marks that came with each new arrival.

“I was in ᴘᴀɪɴ and I was overcome by a flood of emotions. I was elated to have welcomed our beautiful girl and so empowered and proud of what my body and I had just done! It’s a strange feeling to look down and still see a bump, even though you’re holding your baby in your arms, even after doing it three times.”

“It’s not easy to go home with a baby and still have to wear maternity clothes. With my first, I was adamant that I would just “bounce back”. But you know what, I didn’t, I never have in fact,” she wrote.

Even though she covered up for a while after giving birth to her children, Raquel finally learned to not be ashamed of her body anymore.

“It’s taken me three babies, but I’ve finally realised this postpartum body isn’t something to hide! I am beyond proud of what this body has given and sacralised. I am thankful that my body is able to carry and birth babies naturally.”

“I want other mums also walking in my shoes to know that they’re not alone. That whatever their postpartum journey may be, it’s ok, it’s normal, and it should always be praised! I did it for me, for you and for her!”

Raquel is pulling back the curtain, hiding what real postpartum bodies can look like. She hopes that by sharing her story, other women will be less harsh on themselves after pregnancy as they learn to appreciate their bodies for what they have given them rather than what they look like.

The inspirational mum called on other women to celebrate their post-pregnancy bodies too, adding, “I am NOT ashamed of my (many) new stripes and my postpartum body. And neither should you! Let’s celebrate postpartum bodies in all their glory.”