'Love makes you fat' - Mum of two celebrates how pregnancy has changed her body

It's a well known fact that women's bodies change during pregnancy - your body has just performed one of the most amazing accomplishments, but somehow it's rarely given a break.

Weight gain during pregnancy is often portrayed as a negative thing, but Laura Mazza from the Mum on the Run blog has offered an alternative view on how society views mothers' bodies on her Facebook page.

The post, titled 'Love Makes You Fat', shows amazing before and after photos alongside a powerful speech.

https://www.facebook.com/babiesandtheburbs/posts/1182336031834373:0

'No, this isn't a before and after shot of weight loss. But it is a victory story. I write this from my heart. It hurts. On the left - This was my body before kids,' she writes.

'No stretch marks or scars from belly button piercings. A belly button that was high. A flat stomach. I was always on a diet back then. And this was the best diet I went on. I used to take photos of my progress.

'Uploading this photo wouldn't be bad, it's like me being in a bikini. It's socially acceptable.'

Laura then goes into detail about her damaging view of her body. 'I loved it because I was losing weight rapidly and the more bones that protruded the more I valued myself,' she writes.

https://www.facebook.com/babiesandtheburbs/photos/a.1086894851378492.1073741828.1081096381958339/1184472204954089/?type=3&theater

'I ended up hating meat, and was always suffering from heartburn. But still I looked at this photo, this image of myself, like I was fat. There was nothing wrong with the way I looked. My body was mine.'

Laura has a young daughter and a toddler son, and compares people's reaction to her body before becoming a mum, and to her body now. 'On the right is me now. Stretch marks. A droopy belly button. Thicker, not many bones protruding, but more dimples that represent cellulite. People don't want to see this photo.

'All of a sudden it's not okay. It's not pleasing to the eye anymore. It's not a body to be admired.'

'The scars and stretch marks and jiggly tummy is because I made humans. I ate a little more cake, I drank a little more wine. I made mug cakes at 9pm and snuggled on the couch with my husband. But for some reason, I didn't love this body. It's sad.'

Laura then writes about her realisation of what her body is worth to her now.

'But you know what? I have achieved more with this body, then I have with my old body. I've eaten more good foods. I've lived more, I've given more, I've enjoyed more. I've made life. This body, THIS body should be celebrated and admired.

'I should admire myself. I should love myself.'

https://www.facebook.com/babiesandtheburbs/photos/a.1086894851378492.1073741828.1081096381958339/1183414841726492/?type=3&theater

She ends on a great note of positivity, writing 'no matter what size you are, a size 6 or size 60. You deserve to celebrate it. Sexy underwear AND a new wardrobe.

'So love your body, because you truly really really, only get one! (In this life anyway). And it's STILL sexy to wear granny jocks! Woop woop!'

People were quick to comment on the post, thanking her for inspiring them to love their bodies as well.

'Thank you! This post brought me to tears about how I feel about my own new mummy body! Thank you for making me realise that was one step closer to owning the body I live in.' wrote one Facebook user.

'Completely admire you for sharing this. You truly are beautiful and brave. Thank you.' wrote another.

It's so refreshing to see someone loving their body, and encouraging other women, mums or not, to do exactly the same!