WWE star Eve Torres shares powerful post-baby selfie to highlight the 'burden' on new mums

'The only "after" picture that matters is a happy, healthy mommy with her happy, healthy baby'

A mum-of-one has shared a powerful image of herself after giving birth to open up the conversation about post-baby bodies.

Wrestler and model Eve Torres, best known for her work with WWE, gave birth to her son Raeven in October 2015, announcing his arrival with a sweet social media post which read: '"He's here. I am amazed, grateful, and in love. He's already taught us so much and been so good to us. Welcome to the world Raeven Gracie (Pronounced Haven, of course'.

Now, 12 months on, Eve admits that she 'still haven't reached my pre-baby body, and maybe never will' - but that's not what's important to her anymore.

Alongside a picture of herself a week after welcoming her son, dressed in a casual crop top and leggings, she wrote: 'I had originally taken this photo one week after I gave birth to Raeven with the intention of putting it side by side with my future "skinny" body after I lost all my baby weight 'in just 4 weeks!' (Like they do in the magazines).'

'Well 4 weeks passed. And then 4 months. And we are almost at a year, and I still haven't reached my pre-baby body, and maybe never will.'

A photo posted by on

'And yet, I am proud of my body, and I feel healthy as ever. I realized that the only "after" picture that matters is a happy, healthy mommy with her happy, healthy baby.'

'I wish new moms wouldn't be burdened with the pressure to get back into pre-baby shape so quickly. Exercise (when you're body is ready), eat for health, love yourself & your child, and let your body do whatever it's meant to do after the amazing feat of creating a human.'

'#IHaveEmbraced #selflove #loveyourbody #pregnancy #postpartum'

Eve's post was inspired by a documentary called Embrace, a film created by the group Body Image Movement to 'reach as many women as possible around the world and speak to them about how we can learn to fully embrace and love our bodies.'

The group say no to photoshopping, unrealistic expectations presented by the media, preying on insecurities and the objectification of women in general.

A photo posted by on

Since Eve shared her empowering message, she's received more than 4,000 likes, and hundreds of supportive comments from fans and fellow mums.

Instagram user angiemar4 said: 'Preach sister. I'm on the same boat. One day at a time. Our bodies will return eventually. We are beautiful women. And we bring the most beautiful gift ever imagined, a life', whilst mari_bel78 added: 'Thank you for this post @evetorresgracie sometimes I get depressed because I can't lose my baby fat, I have 3 kids and before them I weigh 95 lbs, needless to say my oldest is 18 and my youngest is 10. I have come to terms that I will never be a size 0 again.... but like you said, love yourself and your kids and that's what I'm doing.'

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