A woman from Ohio has been praised for sharing a photograph of herself 24 hours after giving birth.
Erica Andrews shared a selfie with linen company
Sakura Bloom after welcoming her fourth child.
Alongside it she wrote: "This is what 24 hours postpartum looks like. Baby in sling. Skin to skin. Adult diapers. And a rosy glow. My body feels like it ran a marathon and my heart is wide open from yesterday's travels.
“Birth opens us like an earthquake opens the earth and I am still in the intimate, fragile throes of that opening. I feel raw. Emotional. Different. I feel like I'm on the undulating surface of the rippling ocean being tossed back and forth between happiness, gratitude, melancholy, and grief.
“23 hours ago I held life within and 24 hours ago I surged and transformed allowing life to flow through me, into my waiting hands. The emptiness in my womb brings a heavy feeling crashing into reality but then this new little life whimpers, searching for the breast with soft rooting, and I feel whole again.
“I am still processing the beautiful transition my whole family has traveled through and I am in complete awe of our strength as humans, women, and mothers. This time is simply unlike any other [sic]."
The image – which wasn’t edited apart from the black and white effect – and message have been praised for their honesty.
Since being uploaded yesterday, it has received over 115,000 ‘Likes’ and has been shared over 30,000 times.
Speaking about the reaction, Erica said: “I can’t respond to all of you loving mamas but your comments have moved me to tears, than you for your love and welcoming my raw and honest words.”
And here's why every woman should be proud of her postpartum body. 
