No one said that parenting was glamorous! But it sure is rewarding.

Even when your nipples are leaking and you haven’t showered in three days, it’s all worth it.

Two little adorable babies were once in that tummy!

This mama decided to a super cute before and after the shoot.

Look at those tiny little twin faces!

Soft little chubby feet on a soft and gorgeous mama belly.

It really doesn’t get any sweeter than this.

A photo worth framing, no doubt.

This woman was left with scars and stretch marks after she gave birth.

Instead of being ashamed of them, she decided to celebrate them.

She turned them into gorgeous works of art with beautiful tattoo work.

The emotional toll of being a new parent can be absolutely exhausting.

This photo is both heartbreaking and incredibly moving.

Feeling this way is very normal and you’re not alone.

Having a new baby isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. It’s really hard work.

Not to mention – your body just doesn’t bounce back to the pre-pregnancy body – and that’s okay! You just created a human!

If you’re a new parent, chances are, there are going to be some tears. Post-partum depression is a very real condition that many women feel after giving birth.

You can feel the emotion pouring from this woman in the photo.

Here’s a woman who is basically a superhero. Not only is she a mom of 3 but she’s also a cancer survivor and amputee.

Learning to be kind and compassionate to yourself is hard – but she’s doing it.

“When people see me, they see a thin mom after birth, and tell me how lucky I am that my body went back to normal. What they don’t see is the lines hiding under clothes. My body did not go back to normal. I am not ashamed of that,” is how this mom begins her post.

Note to everyone: do NOT comment on the shape and size of people’s bodies.

When you grow an entire human in your body, your skin is bound to stretch and change. It’s really quite beautiful.

Our bodies can adapt and change in so many ways.

These aren’t “flaws” – they’re perfect.

Childbirth isn’t exactly “pretty”. It’s special, it’s incredible, but “pretty”? Not really.

It can get messy. It can get raw. And it can get pretty darn hilarious sometimes.

When did it become okay for society to tell us what we “should” look like? When was it okay to give up autonomy and individuality?

This woman has an amazing outlook on life.

This woman has the incredible feat of raising triplets! Imagine tripling the amount of work!

Well, she’s figured out how to make going to the grocery store easier by simply wearing the babies on her chest.

Post-partum depression and anxiety are very real things. They can be extremely detrimental to a woman’s mental and physical health.

Trying your best to be compassionate to yourself is powerful. We’re only human.

Having feelings of unworthiness or feeling your body isn’t as “good” or “beautiful” as it once was is common after pregnancy.

However, so much of that pressure comes from society and is unwarranted.

This woman has found her confidence.

Once again – bodies are going to change after pregnancy.

It’s so important not to beat yourself and talk negatively to yourself.

Look what you’ve done! You should be so proud.

What the heck do people mean when they say you need to “snap back” after pregnancy? Says who? Why? Who cares?

Take your time, mamas! You just created a miracle.

Don’t you just love these beautiful before and after photos? Bodies are seriously magical.

And now there is another gorgeous soul on this planet to create and share their talents and skills.

How touching is this photo? Seeing a family unit all as one after pregnancy is so moving.

You can practically feel the love pouring from this photo.

The skin is our largest organ. It’s meant to adapt and change over time. And when pregnancy happens, of course it’s going to change!

This is the body of a mama.

Even after a year, this mom is contending with the changes in her body.

But she also knows that she needs to give herself a break after what her body accomplished.

After carrying a baby for 9 months, it’s only natural that your body is going to require some time to heal.

Look at this difference within just a few hours!

Our bodies are so incredibly amazing.

We need to have society stop whispering in our ears (or yelling in our face, rather) that we need to change. You don’t.

Your loose skin is amazing. Your strength is amazing. You are amazing all-around.

This woman totally has the right mindset. She’s staying positive, she’s realistic, and she has a great sense of humor.

You gotta admire her.

“We’re surviving,” is what this mom captioned with her photo. And that’s amazing.

Everyone is doing their best. There is no “ideal” way of being a mom.

Weight gain is not a marker. Weight loss is not a marker.

How you look one day or one month or one year after pregnancy does not define your worth. Remember that.

How on earth could anyone say that stretch marks are ugly?

These lines represent growing life. They represent motherhood. They’re nothing but beautiful.

A newborn and a toddler. Now that is a lot of responsibility going on.

The last thing this mama needs to worry about is what she looks like.

And quite frankly, she looks fantastic.

After the literal labor of childbirth, a body needs to replenish its energy.

And sometimes a burger seems like the best way to do it.

Eat what you need, mamas!

Less than two days after giving this birth, this mom is exhausted.

Tears have been shed but she’s doing it. What a Wonder Woman.

This is a body that just produced a life. It is not weird. It is not ugly. It’s your mother. It’s your grandmother. It’s your sister.

Share and spread the love.

As this mother notes, take as many pictures as possible. Time is passing quickly and if you blink, you just might miss it.

Take care of yourself out there, mamas!

If you’ve ever given birth, you probably know the glory of mesh undies. Whoever knew such a funny thing would be so coveted by new moms? Rock out with your mesh undies out.

Here’s a gorgeous and special photo. Nine months pregnant versus nine months old.

Sure looks like a happy mama and baby to us!

What a cherished photo.

Five weeks. 36 weeks. 1 year. 2 years. How time flies.

Don’t forget to kiss and snuggle as much as you possibly can.

Woman are constantly bombarded by photos and advertisements about how to get your “body back” after giving birth. When did you “lose” it? Never!

Ignore those messages – YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Stretch marks, a funny belly button, uneven breasts, it’s all part of it. It’s all the “leftovers” from pregnancy as this woman described.

And guess what? It’s all BEAUTIFUL!

This exhausted mom has finally managed to close her eyes for a bit. Of course, not by herself.

She has her crew snuggled next to her while breastfeeding at the same time.

What an amazing capture.

“Nothing but sheer amazement, thinking about how that little body fit inside this stomach, just two days ago,” says this mom.

Isn’t it crazy? You grew the baby for 9 months but overnight…you have a real human!

Just like no one is perfect, no one is meant to stay the same. We all change. We all grow. It’s what we’re supposed to do.

And for moms, that includes our bodies.

It’s all a part of life.

Here’s a tip. Don’t ever ask a woman when her due date is. Ever.

Unless she brings it up herself, you never know what type of insecurities you might be bringing up for her.

Be kind.

Honest photos are the ones we need to see. Candid photos are the ones we need to see.

We need to stop glorifying postpartum bodies and lives that are Photoshopped.

Eleven-weeks postpartum and this mama’s belly is still supple and soft. And guess what? That’s okay! That’s normal!

That fluff is protecting your insides.

Love your body, it’s the only home you’ve got.

This woman had a C-section and is proudly showing off her new scars. Nothing is wrong with scars. Nothing is wrong with giving birth via C-section. S

till a woman. Still a mom. Still amazing.

Everyone needs to remember that BODIES CHANGE.

Even if women didn’t give birth, all humans age. Skin sags. Weight settles differently. It’s all part of it. It’s all life.

After giving birth to four children, this mom has found beautiful acceptance of herself and her body.

She knows her worth is not defined by the way her body looks. It’s her character. And she sounds like a damn good mom.

Life is messy. There is literally no such thing as perfect. If people were perfect, we’d all be boring.

It’s stories like this that make humanity so interesting and gorgeous.

Lay off the perfect.

If you compare yourself to others, you’ll never become who you were fully meant to be.

Don’t live someone else’s life – live yours. Sharing stories can be a powerful tool for women. Be supportive and be compassionate.

A photo like this is enough to bring someone to tears.

A mother sits next to her daughter who is now a new mother. They share a new bond and this photo captures it perfectly.

“All of your scars and imperfections tell stories, and these are my favorite ones. Stretch marks, mommy tummy, and all,” is the caption with this photo.

What a perfect sentiment. What a story every mom has to tell.

We need to teach society that stretch marks are normal. Dark lines are normal. And so is saggy skin.

You’d never berate your own mother for these things, so why do it to someone else?

“Love this image because it shows that thin women have big changes to their bodies and their own things to work through to accept their new mom bodies,” is the caption.

Even if you’re considered “skinny,” your body will most likely change during pregnancy.

Here’s proof.

This photo was taken one-week postpartum shows how soft and lovely the woman’s body is after giving birth.

There’s a reason our bodies put on a little weight. There’s a reason the skin stretches. You’re making life!

“Yup. You lived there,” says this mama to her newborn. Isn’t that really crazy to think about?

Every human’s first home was inside the womb of their mother. Don’t forget that.

Moms – whatever you need to do – find some time for yourself.

Self-care and self-love will only make you a better parent.

Reach out for help and take time to love on yourself. You deserve it.

Hey, mama. You are strong and fierce. Just like a tiger.

And see? You even have the stripes to prove it. Roar loud!

“We can’t assume because a woman is ‘thin’ that she has no insecurities. That she doesn’t struggle physically or mentally. We all have things to work through and our own path to walk,” is the caption.

A reminder to stop judging people. You don’t know their story.

Our society and culture is full of pressure to look a certain way. And how did we let them have this power? Take it back, ladies! You’re all gorgeous!

This beautiful body is the one that made this chubby, adorable body. We can’t find anything wrong with that.

And stretch marks? Don’t even see them.

“My belly button is the world’s funniest thing. Well, just after kittens and puppies that is,” said this mom.

And we’d have to say by that happy face on that little baby, they’re quite content laying on mama’s belly.

Such a precious photo.

Postpartum depression is extremely common, however, many women feel shame in talking about their feelings surrounding this.

Ladies, we must talk. We must share our stories. We’re all connected and we’re all a community.

So much beauty in one photo. This mom is two weeks postpartum after Caesarean.

Looking beautiful as ever with a happy, healthy baby.

“I love that I carry a scar marking how my girl moved into this world from my body. The mark that symbolizes the woman warrior within who did whatever it took for her baby. The most beautiful, meaningful mark I could ever carry. Cesarean birth is birth,” she says.

Such powerful words that speak volumes to all mothers out there.

This photo gloriously sums up what a new family unit looks like.

Stretch marks on the tummy, little wrinkly feet, and supportive hands.

What a powerful photo.

Not every pregnancy is going to go off without a hitch. It can be scary and it can bring on feelings of loneliness.

Moms – you’re not alone. Reach out and share your stories. It can really help someone.

Here’s just a gorgeous mama bear with her cub.

That little baby loves nothing more than snuggling up to your soft, striped belly.

Show it some love.

“THIS is what having a baby looks like, for me, and for many women. It’s weight gain and swelling. Belly, face, chin, hands. Everywhere. It’s irregularly-shaped leftover belly pooch. It’s stretch marks halfway up my torso. And the real raw truth of it is, it’s HARD to accept. This is not what I want to look like. But you know what? Squishy bellies are good for snuggling tiny bodies. Stretch marks are good for life lessons. Teaching our sons and daughters the beauty of imperfection when they’re lost in a stormy sea of society’s unobtainable standards,” she says.

Everyone – men and women – should take these words to heart.

You know what stretch marks are? Aside from being a perfectly normal thing, they are a reminder of the life you grew.

They helped you create a family and lifelong love.

This is real life, folks. It’s not what you’d normally see on your Instagram feed but it is real.

It’s raw and it’s relatable.

More real photos of life, please!

Your body is unlike any other. Your body is your own.

It won’t behave and react like someone else’s body – only your own.

Cherish it. Love it. Take care of it.