Selfie goes viral after Birmingham mother protests at beach-body-ready new mothers

A mother from Birmingham has posted a selfie on Facebook to protest against Hollywood-style images of beach-body-ready new mothers.

Sophia Cooper, who is 29 and from Kings Norton, runs a fitness company for women who have just given birth.

She gained three stone before her six-week-old daughter, Florence, was born.

Posting the image of herself in a crop top, she said:

“It’s hard publicly sharing this picture because, as the founder of a post-natal fitness company, most people expect me to have left the maternity ward with a baby and a six-pack.

“The reality is, despite exercising during pregnancy and trying to eat healthy, I gained three stone.

“I have fresh stretch marks, a muffin top and I’m three dress sizes bigger.

“Some of my shoes still don’t fit and Bridget Jones pants are a must.

“But you know what?? IT’S OK!!

“This is what a real post-baby body looks like.”

Sophia said she posted the picture after tiring of seeing images of women who appeared to snap straight back into shape after childbirth.

The image has now been liked and shared as far away as Australia.