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When a celebrity appears in the media soon after she's had a new baby, you'll probably hear quite a few questions about what she's doing to "bounce back." But the answers about their body transformations might not be 100% honest. That's when the Instagram account called @takebackpostpartum steps in. It spreads body positivity, encouraging new moms to embrace their postpartum stretch marks and other pregnancy battle scars.

January Harshe is the woman behind the postpartum body project. "I said, ladies, if you want to make a change, we have to do it ourselves," the mother of six told TODAY. "There was a big response. Women said, 'Let's show what this is like'….What I've learned is that every woman struggles with pregnancy and even postpartum depression one way or another. Every woman struggles differently. I'm trying to show all the variations of normal for postpartum and motherhood."

Scroll down to meet the moms proudly showing off their postpartum bellies and battle scars in these before and after pregnancy photos!

More info: harshe.blogInstagram

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JillVille
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just cried for this woman. I felt that pain and hopelessness too. I am 20 years from there now, it was a struggle, my husband didn't understand at all and just got mad when I'd get irrationally emotional. Ladies, it does get better. Sometimes it just takes awhile. (((HUGS)))

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Hans
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last line is quite clever actually. Babys indeed demonstrate that you as parents are the world to them, and harvesting a little love for yourself is the least you can do!

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Ntosh
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, this is the first time to ever hear about this. This is a bit scary

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#9

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Joy Gould
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

6 losses, and 4 incredible successes, against the odds! What courage, what strength! What beauty, valiant soul!❤️

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No woman needs a " perfect" body. Magazines displaying celebrity moms with perfect postpartum bodies is an insult to all of us moms.

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Stephanie Hutner
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this what always happens to a woman's body after they have a baby? I'm honestly asking. I don't have kids yet.

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Rachael Sanman
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know what it is exactly about this photo... It is simple & elegant. She is stunning.

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Cathryn Cash
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the hell did I have to confirm I was 18 to see this? Our world is f****d up! I can see graphic violence, updating headlines about paedophiles, ridiculously overly sexual adverts which I don't want to see, but I can't see a baby having its dinner?!

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Lucida
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this text, it's honest. These bellys are not beautiful, but they are real. I'm pregnant with my first and none of my friends have got bellys looking like these after their childbirth's so I did not think it was this common and now I'm scared I will look like this. If I will look like this, I will also have trouble letting my husband touch and a look at my belly. But just as she writes in the last sentence, one should be thankful for ones mommy body.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right after my first child was born, I was very swollen and bloated. TBH, I still looked pregnant. I was in public, and my MIL was holding my son. A stranger asked how old he was. Then she turned to me and asked when MY baby was due. I still laugh about it to this day.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The two other children are conked out. While little (brother?) has his dinner. Such a cute picture.

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Amina Hays
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The uterus is the size of a small pear but when it's housed a baby it obviously gets a lot bigger to accommodate. That's quite a size difference so it'll take as long as it takes to shrink back. Everyone is different.

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Lucida
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get these pictures of the placenta. For me, it just looks disgusting. I know, it's natural and all that and I think the placenta is a really cool and amazing thing. I mean, we pregnant women start growing a hole new organ! How cool isn't that!? But I still don't see the point in showing it of. It's a beautiful thing that enables new life, but it's in no way beautiful to look at. I mean, pooping is also natural and it's amazing how are bodies function, but we don't want to see a picture of a women with a big s**t in her lap, do we?

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have so much pressure on us from the media and the unrealistic body standards. I pray this little girl will grow up in a more accepting and enlightened world.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a profound statement. It helps explain postpartum depression.

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Kerri Russ
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Mom Body is so soft and reassuring and appears much more healthy. Both versions of you are gorgeous and that baby... beautiful! Congrats!

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like she's in great shape. I never got the loose skin or stretch marks. I wonder if it's bc I had cesarean deliveries?

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sh
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that you can tell she brushed the toddler's hair to the side and her hand just never left... so sweet.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These celebrity moms are set up as an example of what we "should" look like postpartum. It disgusts me. How many of us have a nutritionist, personal trainer, a gym room in our home, and access to tummy tuck surgery? And how many of us have lots of idle time bc we are "between projects" and have a full time nanny to care for the baby?

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had I google vbac. I've heard of it, but didn't recognise the term.

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EHops
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know what all you've been through but you've emerged stronger more powerful than anyone who's ever tried to bring you down. Love your little girl Mamma, your her world, her warroir and no one could love her as much as you💖

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The baby is so pink! There was anther article on BP that talked about the differences in newborn's color. It can vary. Both my children had yellow tones bc they were anemic. (bc of my 0 negative blood type)

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing. I'm glad the midwife made it. Better late than never. ;-)

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could never get in that yoga pose. Great affirmations, and coming from a man. What a great guy.

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Jason Forton
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find after birth bodies so very sexy. You look very beautiful here

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby is comforted by Mom's closeness and warmth. Mom looks like she needs that nap.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so easy to forget to care for yourself, when you have others depending on you. The responsibility can be overwhelming.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

CMEO. This is my story. Having a cesarean did make me feel like a failure.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it any wonder that women get stretch marks? Your body expands in so many ways, with the growth of the child.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mesh undies are the best. I still actually have some from when I was in the hospital last.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby is like "Mom, what are you doing?" Mom: "It's called a selfie"

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby needs a nap (after keeping Mom up half the night!)

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand that fear that your baby won't thrive. It's frightening.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got this big. My baby was 9.5. My back hurts just looking at this before pic.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be sad for a little girl to grow up in a household where she frequently hears negative things about how a woman's body changes after childbirth.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry to hear it didn't work out as planned. But the end results are what counts.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Babies ruin your body." Yeah, if you are that vain, don't have children. Terrible advice.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the guilt about not being able to breastfeed. Not all Moms are able to.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sorry to hear stories of women who have lost children in any way. I am about the only woman in my family who never lost a child to miscarriage, still birth, or early childhood death.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much of this story brings back memories of my first son's birth. Funny that I still remember not being able to wash or comb my hair. Thought I would never get the tangles out.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She did swallow a watermelon! Lol Such a perfect round shape.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kudos to this brave young woman who "chose life" It sounds like she may have been encouraged to have an abortion.

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Sharon Byrd
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

S**t. Still got my pooch 30 years later! Lol. Sigh, I guess it ain't going anywhere

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great message. If we could all be this wise as young women and girls.

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BusLady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm jealous. At 2 weeks, I still was not able to lift and carry my baby. Doctor said "Don't lift over 10 pounds" My son weighed almost 10 pounds at birth. I still laugh about that.

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Ruth Elliott
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhuh, this lovely lady has never had a baby. She promotes body confidence on Instagram.

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