Finally. A photo of a post-baby tummy that captures the reality of motherhood.

It took Alexandra Kilmurray 18 months to feel comfortable. To not cry when she looked in the mirror. 18 months to finally feel beautiful in her own skin. She is a mother of two sons, one 18-months old and one five-months old.

“No one warns you about the dark sides of motherhood and pregnancy,” Kilmurray posted to Instagram.

“No one gives you a heads up on how much you change physically and mentally after you become a mother. It’s been a long and hard postpartum ride for me.”

Well, I know a lot of you guys are probably thinking ‘why would she post this picture’, but, it took me 18 months to get here, 18 months to not cry when I look in the mirror, 18 months to finally feel beautiful in my own skin again! No one warns you about the dark sides of motherhood and pregnancy.. no one gives you a heads up on how much you change physically and mentally after you become a mother. It’s been a long and hard postpartum ride for me.. 18 months after my first son and 5 months after my second son I feel like I can finally see the light ✨ and it genuinely feels amazing???? cheers to you mamas who are battling postpartum depression and still getting up everyday for your children! Cheers to you mamas who still cry about the marks on your skin from birthing your perfect babies! Cheer to motherhood, cheers to knowing that this too shall pass! And things will get better???? © 2017 by Alexandra Kilmurray All rights reserved #motherhood #breastmilk #breastfeeding #normalizebreastfeeding #mommyandme #tigerstripes #postpartum #postpartumdepression #babies #mombod #proud #inlove

A photo posted by Alexandra Kilmurray (@alexandrabrea_) on Jan 12, 2017 at 2:59pm PST

The accompanying picture is powerful. Even though that word seems naff, too-often-used, it’s lost it’s impact. But the picture, really is, incredibly moving.

Her littlest son is by her side.

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Her stomach, loose and slack and nothing-like-you-would-see-in-a-magazine, but most of all real.

“Cheers to you mamas who still cry about the marks on your skin from birthing your perfect babies,” she wrote.

“Cheers to motherhood, cheers to knowing that this too shall pass! And things will get better.”

Monday bellylove ???? #mondaybellylove #postpartumbody #normalizepostpartumbodies #normalizestretchmarks #motherbynature #mombod #realistic #5monthspostpartum

A photo posted by Alexandra Kilmurray (@alexandrabrea_) on Jan 30, 2017 at 8:38am PST

It’s an honest and rarely-seen reflection on motherhood.

That the changes and the sacrifices and the hardships your body go through to produce that perfect little bundle do take their toll.

That adjusting to a newborn doesn’t always have to be smiles and joy and pretty pictures on social media. It can be hard, and hurtful and, in the end, worth it.