Kate Ferdinand welcomed her first child, a baby boy named Cree, with former footballer Rio Ferdinand in December.
And on Thursday evening she bravely stripped down to share a snap of her post-baby body and heartbreakingly admitted that she "doesn't love" her physique after pregnancy and that she misses feeling "feeling fit and strong."
Shortly after uploading the candid photo to Instagram, the former TOWIE personality was inundated with kind words and supportive messages from her fans.
The natural beauty, 29, then followed up the offering by sharing a quote from entrepreneur Brian Underwood's social media page that highlighted the inner strength it takes to be "vulnerable" by showing flaws.
"It takes courage to be vulnerable & show our flaws. But I believe there is purpose in sharing our struggles. The more we share about our challenged were going through or we’ve overcome, the stronger we become," the inspirational message read.
Kate has been open in sharing the ups and downs of becoming a new mum and spoken out on juggling being a step-mum to husband Rio's three children Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, and Tia, nine, as well as navigating life with a newborn.
As she posed in black briefs and a sports bra, with baby Cree in her arms, she told her fans in the caption: "Ahhh … nerves kicking in again, but here goes. Let’s talk post-pregnancy body.
"I’ve really held off on uploading any pictures with my body in because last time I did, for some reason, I felt all types of nerves and ended up deleting it … hormones, or the pressure of Instagram to look a certain way? Who knows, but either way, I’ve finally plucked up the courage. Here I am."
She went on: "I’m finally starting to slowly feel more like ‘me’ again, but it hasn’t been plain sailing.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand look more loved-up than ever in rare selfie after Cree's birth
"I was seeing lots of ladies, and I salute you, saying they love and embrace their post pregnancy body; I wish I felt like that but in all honesty … I love that my body produced our baby BUT quite frankly, I don’t love my post baby body. I miss feeling fit & strong!"
She added: "As women, our bodies go through so much & I feel like there is so much pressure to ‘bounce back’ when it’s just not realistic, especially with a newborn. I mean how tough is it to find the energy to exercise?
"Some days I am like a machine working out, walking, eating healthy and feeling on top of the world and other days (like yesterday) I haven’t found time for the exercise and I’m caught tucking my head in the sweet cupboard looking for some sugar in the hope it will keep me awake.
"I've been spending some time on the @peanut app the past few weeks reading conversations from other women on how they have coped with body changes, and I'm learning that it's ok if you don't love your post baby body.
Kate Ferdinand cuddles son Cree as she celebrates Valentine's Day with Rio
"It’s amazing if you love your post baby body but it’s also ok and normal if you don’t. It doesn't mean you haven’t loved the process of bringing your child into the world and it's ok to want to feel back to the ‘old you’. It doesn’t mean we love our children any less.. (Although in all honesty, I’m not sure I will never not feel tired.
"One thing I love about the @peanut app is being able to have honest conversations with other mums about all sorts of topics. It's helped me normalise my feelings, especially on bad days when I’m struggling. It’s the most amazing online community that has really helped me through the minefield of motherhood! I encourage any mums, mums-to-be or women trying for babies to join."
Last month, Kate opened up about hurtful claims that she might love her baby son Cree more than her three step-children.
She branded the suggestion 'offensive' during a Q&A session with her fans.
Taking to social media on Wednesday evening, the reality star explained to her 1.4 million followers that she had actually been quizzed 'a lot' on this topic in the past.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand's happy ending after she walked out on him in tears
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In her heartwarming response, the star maintained that she loved all four children equally and that would never change.
Kate's reply came after a follower asked: "Do you love your own child a lot more than step-children? I fear this will happen to me."
Alongside a picture that featured her stepkids cuddling their baby brother Cree, Kate opened up about how she felt.
She wrote: "People ask me this a lot, and I can only speak for myself as everyone is different…
"I love all four children equally and I will never see any difference between my biological and non biological children."
Kate added: "Lorenz, Tate & Tia taught me what it feels like to love a child way before I had Cree.
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The proud mum also explained that the family had 'worked hard' in order to get to where they were today.
She continued: "We worked so hard as a family to get to where we are now, and I take huge offence if anyone even suggests I would love Cree more than them.
"We have been through A LOT as a family, and that I believe has cemented my love for them so deep that the fact we are not blood is not important."
The couple have been very open about their family's journey throughout the last few years, and they even featured in a BBC documentary last year called Rio and Kate: Becoming A Stepfamily.
Rio's eldest three have been very supportive of their step-mum and the family have featured in lots of cute moments on social media – including the time Kate revealed that she was pregnant.
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- Rio Ferdinand
- The Only Way Is Essex
- Pregnancy
- Reality shows
- Kate Ferdinand
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