Mum Bares C-Section Scar In Powerful Post-Baby Body Photo To Empower Women

A mum has shared a powerful post-baby photo baring her c-section scar to remind other women “it’s okay not to be perfect”.

Emily Houlston, 19, from Telford, who gave birth to twins Arthur and Finley in November 2017, told HuffPost UK she wanted to post the photo as she has struggled for a long time to come to terms with the way her body looks.

“It got me in a bad place getting myself down about it so I wanted to release a picture facing the reality of carrying babies and how much of an incredible journey we go through,” she said. “I wanted to urge women not to feel the need to ‘bounce back’ and to accept how they are - scars, stretch marks and all.”

Houlston continued: “I wanted to give women the confidence that I have and show them that they are perfect, worthy and beautiful.”

On the Instagram post, the new mum explained that she’d had a difficult pregnancy, because she was hospitalised several times due to dehydration and early contractions.

She wanted to remind other mums that women’s bodies are put through so much during pregnancy, that they should be proud of what they have achieved.

“With a scar that I will have for the rest of my life is a tiny sacrifice for a lifetime of beautiful memories with my family,” she wrote. “Your stretch marks do not define you, your scar does not define you, your flab does not define you.

“You are incredible, you are a mother and you are the light of your babies’ eyes. I wanted to share this to show the reality of our bodies and that it’s okay not to be perfect because in their eyes you are exactly that.”

Houlston’s post inspired other new mums to share stories of how they feel about their own bodies.

“I love this post,” one mother wrote. “I am a mum of 14-year-old twins. I had them naturally at 39 weeks. It took me forever to be ok with my stomach and the stretch marks I have. This post inspired me to love my body more.”

Another mum commented: “I needed to see this today to remind me that I have a beautiful baby that loves me no matter what my body looks like. Thank you for having the courage to post this.”

Before You Go

Easy Ways To Soothe Your Body After Birth

Soaking In An Herbal Bath(01 of05)

Natural mamas swear by soaking in herbs to speed up the body's healing processes. Well, anything that gives you a chance to relax - if only for 15 minutes - is hugely important, especially in those early days post-birth, when hormones are going haywire and you're putting your newborn's needs ahead of your own. A quarter of a cup of Epsom salts, teamed with a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of lavender essential oil are an inviting combination to help ease muscle pain and relieve inflammation. Soaking in a warm bath is also recommended for new mums suffering from blocked ducts or mastitis as a result of breastfeeding.* (credit:stevecoleimages via Getty Images)

Cabbage Leaves For Sore Breasts(02 of05)

Breastfeeding can be wonderful. It can also be painful, tricky to master and bring with it a myriad of potential ailments that you never would have imagined (engorgement, cracked nipples, blocked ducts and mastitis, just to name a few). If breasts are feeling sore or uncomfortable - whether from engorgement as your milk comes in or because you have an infection - cold, raw cabbage leaves can be a soothing relief, as recommended by British breastfeeding organisation La Leche**.

Just keep a cabbage or two in the freezer for when you need them. Bonus: you can wear the leaves hidden inside your bra all day. Unfortunately, you will smell like a rotten salad - but it's a small price to pay for the relief you'll feel. Use only until swelling goes down as long-term use may reduce milk supply. (credit:chengyuzheng via Getty Images)

Sipping Camomile Tea(03 of05)

Camomile tea is known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers, including a 2010 study published in Molecular Medicine Reports*** and it is also thought to help promote restful sleep - essential when you're in the broken newborn sleep stage and need to make the most of any ZZZs that you do catch. Another interesting use for camomile? Researchers have found that camomile tea can even help to soothe a colicky baby.**** (credit:J Shepherd via Getty Images)

Hydrating Creams To Soothe Irritated Skin(04 of05)

Hormonal fluctuations can wreak havoc on a new mother's skin - in pregnancy and beyond, according to the NHS+. Moles may darken, you can sunburn more easily and you may find that your skin is more sensitive, itchy and more easily irritated by products you comfortably used pre-baby.++

If you are one of the women suffering from eczema or dry skin who found that your condition worsened post-birth, then add a hydrating, fragrance-free cream and shower gel to your routine, like the emollients from Oilatum, including Fragrance-Free Shower Gel and Oilatum Cream, which are designed to treat dry skin conditions and rehydrate sensitive skin. (credit:Cecile Lavabre via Getty Images)

Coconut Oil For Stretch Marks(05 of05)

While there are countless creams, oils and potions claiming to 'magic' away post-birth stretch marks, take it all with a pinch of salt. While stretch marks do fade, they don't ever disappear completely.+++

However, if you're looking to minimise them, coconut oil is a favourite among Earth Mamas. Keep it around the house and it can also help to soothe sore or cracked nipples (from breastfeeding). (credit:Magone via Getty Images)