There is a weird obsession surrounding women’s post-baby bodies. Specifically, many new moms feel crazy external pressure to make their post-pregnancy bodies look identical to their pre-pregnancy bodies. The problem is, of course, these women JUST HAD A BABY, that changes a body in dramatic ways, it is often unrealistic to expect women to look exactly like they did before pregnancy. Of course, we as women are very used to unrealistic expectations regarding our bodies, but just because we deal with these pressures left and right doesn’t mean we get used to the hardcore judgement.

That’s why we love Julie Bhosale, a blogger and nutritionalist from New Zealand, who decided to take pictures of her “post-baby body” after the birth of her second son. Bhosale documented how her midsection looked 24 hours after her baby was born, two days, one week, two weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks.

It is evident in all these photos that her body has carried a baby. These aren’t the types of photos typically on display in a “post-baby bod” feature in a glossy magazine. What’s so lovely about these pictures though, is that Bhosale is cradling her son in each and every photo. We love the message these photos send. Bhosale’s body looks the way it does because she’s brought new life into the world. She’s proud of her midsection not for what it LOOKS like, but for what it has DONE for her.

In the blog she wrote about this photo series, Bhosale explains, “You may not look like the next Victoria’s Secret Underwear model, but focus on how you feel. Be kind to yourself and your body, you will look like how you are meant to when you feel good. It may take some time. It took me a lot longer to feel good following the birth of my first son then this time around. There is no one to compare yourself too [sic]. No one is walking in your shoes, deals with what you deal with. You will be judged. I am judged everyday and there will be people judging me right now. Doing what is right for you and your family takes courage, takes strength and as a mother, you have both. Nourish and love from the inside out and do not forget: You are beautiful, you are amazing, you are a mother.”

The post quickly went viral, and the response overwhelmed Bhosale.

“I find the responses particularly moving because it’s such a big issue for women and we just don’t talk about it,” Bhosale told Buzzfeed News. “We keep it to ourselves and secretly suffer.”

We love Bhosale for revealing what her body looked like in the weeks and months that followed her pregnancy, helping women all over the world feel more comfortable in their post-baby bodies.

Related: