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Hollywood sets really high standards for beauty and fitness. Celebrities are always under immense pressure to look their best, whether they're at the Oscars or at Oscar's Pizza. So when you throw a pregnancy into this dynamic, it can get pretty wild.

Regardless, many famous women are known for bouncing back super quick after having a baby. We can only guess if these supernatural feats are the results of media manipulation or bulletproof willpower. However, not all celebrity moms choose this path.

Pushing back against unfair expectations, some are sharing their most personal and private moments on social media in the hopes that fans will see and appreciate what they really look like postpartum.

During the period — which some researchers believe actually lasts up to six months — the mother's body experiences a number of changes, from healing after childbirth to hormonal mood swings. All of this on top of the added stress of breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and the overall monumental adjustment to motherhood (when it's their first child).

Vicki Broadbent, writer, director, broadcaster and founder of Honest Mum, told Bored Panda the pressure on new moms to 'bounce back' is utterly stifling. "It plays into this culture that the quicker the loss, the greater the value and respect we should have for the mother, which in my opinion is awful and damaging," Broadbent said.

"Even the '9 months in and 9 months out' axiom isn't sound for all. Every mother is different, as is every baby. Whilst a small minority of mothers will naturally resume a similar figure as before postpartum, the majority -- so often the hidden majority in the mainstream press -- won't and that's completely normal yet needs to be normalized," the author of Mumboss explained.

#2

Pink

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Pseudo Puppy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) P!nk rocks. 2) I totally agree with the "stay off the scales" 3) Muscle weight, and body-fat weight are not the same, and have two totally different implications for a person's health. I've stayed the same weight, yet dropped 2 clothing sizes - because I LOST bodyfat and GAINED muscle mass. It's VERY possible to be "heavier" AND healthier, IF the weight is the right kind of weight.

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"I still have a post-c-section pouch and stretch marks which will never go (and that's fine) and my kids are 10 and 7. Thank goodness for social media and mothers taking more control over their narrative, representing how diverse mothers' bodies are after having a baby. I remember thinking I would leave hospital like Victoria Beckham, as slim as I was pre child. Not. A. Chance. Only seeing slim new mums made me feel like I was failing as a new mother (on top of all the other postpartum stress I endured after a traumatic birth)."

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Broadbent admitted that finding herself in a larger body once her baby was born dented her confidence hugely, adding that if society and the media were kinder in their coverage of pregnant and postpartum women, she knows she wouldn't have felt so bad. "My mother who had me in 1980, said it was a given to appear bigger for the first year after having a baby, and maternity wear reflected that with maxi dresses and more billowing dresses being the norm. She said there was an understanding that new mums were going to be bigger for at least a year or more, so the pressure was nowhere near as intense as it is now."

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Jenny Mollen

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Pseudo Puppy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had NO idea a woman's body could respond this way to giving birth. This equally worthy of discussion. So glad she sought help.

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She believes partners can make a difference in the way moms recover from this difficult period, too. Most notably, by reassuring their loved ones that they look wonderful. "They should show deep respect and praise to the mother of their child who endured 9 months (biologically, it's actually 10) and the birthing of their child. My advice would be to cook and prepare meals where possible, help with the childcare when you can, and importantly, encourage rest and sleep which will support her both emotionally and physically."

So mothers, please be kind to yourself. "You have endured the most demanding milestone of your life. Give yourself some credit and if anyone makes you feel bad about yourself online, please hit the unfollow button. Curate your feeds for a happier life and please know that whatever your size and body post baby, you are worthy and amazing," Broadbent said.

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Katy Perry

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I was wondering what those things sticking out of her bra were but then realised it is designed to be used for a breast pump.

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Amy Schumer

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frederic eeckman
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The comments are disgusting... Body shaming because she was always curvy, and calling that "not giving a flying f*ck" ? Who the hell do you find attractive ? Skeletor ?

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Desiree Siegfried

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Batwench
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

4th ‘tri’ mester? Love it as giving birth is not the end of the journey.

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Tia Mowry

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Jenny Mollen

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Kim Lorton
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former nurse, I’d say that is a really good looking incision scar! Way to go, doc!

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Chrissy Teigen

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varwenea
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mom bods are real, they gave life, and they are sexy exactly as they are.

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Carly Waddell

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MellonCollie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm happy she openly talks about not breastfeeding. It does seem to be a taboo. For some women, it really doesn't come easy or it just doesn't seem to work. Hurray for formula when breast feeding is not an option (by choice or otherwise).

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Brie Bella

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shyanna banana
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@jeremy shes happy to have a baby and so what if shes not the first it's probably her first so maybe you should stop being a d**k and be happy for her

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Hilaria Baldwin

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Pseudo Puppy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"where are all the pads for bleeding".... wholly f**k.... is that what women have to endure IN ADDITION to giving birth!!??!! For the love of everything wholly.... you are supreme!!! :o

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#18

Kate Hudson

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Jamie Otis

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Stan Smith
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3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Daphne Oz

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#23

Melissa Suffield

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Kathryn Baylis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can’t “tan them into oblivion”. They either stay your normal un-tanned skin color, or they tan darker. But don’t despair; they do fade...in a decade or two...kinda...

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Daphne Oz

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Jessie James Decker

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TrashPandaru
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous, I officially have a new girl crush

#27

Alaia Baldwin

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#28

Peta Murgatroyd

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Jamie Otis

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neonn_pieee
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like she edited her belly because the skin looks absolutely flawless and perfect.

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Cardi B

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do you get rid of the black line but here’s my rock hard abs and sponsored sportswear to look at while you have a think.

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Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.