Uju encourages you to love your post pregnancy body!

Pregnancy is a bit of a Jedi mind trick. For a while there you're all lightsabre glow, fab hair and va va voom bosom.

Months later, things start falling apart. From stretch marks and overhang to deflated boobs and hair shedding in clumps, the after-shock of birth can be a blow to any lady's self esteem.

But chin up, it's not all bloom and doom.

With a little research and chatting with some other mums, I've come up with 9 reasons to appreciate our bodies after giving birth.

1. You Get a Daily Face Lift

You laugh more after having kids, which not only gives you an endorphin boost but is better than any face lift for transforming the way you look.

2. Your Body Makes Sense Now

Every scar and fold is part of our story as mothers. Breastfeeding finally gave my girls a sense of purpose.

Also I never got the expression 'childbearing hips' until I had kids. Then I realised it wasn't so much about the width of your pelvis, as the ability to prop a baby up while simultaneously typing, talking on the phone and enjoying a glass of wine.

3. It's a Confidence Boost

'I'm really confident about my body,' says Rachel, a mum of two. 'I've got stretch marks and wobbly bits, but I still wear bikinis. I think it's all about how you perceive yourself. I'm actually more proud of my body since having kids, I'm just amazed at what it can do.'

4. And a Free Makeover

Rachel says her naturally thick and wavy hair grew out straight in both pregnancies. 'The change was fascinating, although I'm glad I've got my regular hair back!'

For Jacqui, who blogs at www.mummyslittlemonkey.com pregnancy gave a permanent boost to her locks.

'Before kids, I used to spend hundreds of pounds on hair extensions. Now my hair is naturally thicker than it was WITH the extensions in!'

5. Better Boobs!

Don't scoff. Sure most of us head south, but I know one former A cup who became a D cup (no implants) and never looked back. More importantly, pregnancy and breastfeeding have been shown to reduce your risk of ovarian and breast cancers.

6. Sayonara Period Pains

For many mamas, monthly cramps vanish after childbirth (mine did, hooray!). It's something to do with stretching of womb muscles, shifting around of hormones, and possibly a much higher pain threshold!

7. Hello OMGasms!

Learning to control your belly and breathing in prenatal classes, opening up in childbirth, the intensity of the experience, feeling closer to your partner - all these factors lead many mamas to stronger, even multiple Os.

8. Healthier Habits

Laura, editor of www.london-baby.com web site, says she used to have an 'adversarial relationship' with food. 'Now that I cook for the kids, its all good nutrients, happy, healthy things.'

She also has a far healthier mindset about her looks. "I used to loathe that I was a size 10, not a size 0. But after being pregnant and really fat after, I love my less than perfect body so much more. My body is mine, it's healthy, it takes good care of two kids, my husband is always seduced by it... I feel so much better now.'

9. Marathon  Strength

Pregnancy is often compared to running a marathon in terms of effort and endurance. For many mums, giving birth gives them an all-conquering feeling like they could 'Run the World' Beyonce style. For others, it kickstarts a whole new lifestyle.

'All the weight gain after my first child led me to exercise much more,' says Mirka, editor of wwwallbabyadvice.blogspot.com, now 8 months pregnant with her second. 'I ran the London Marathon last April, which has always been my dream. This pregnancy, I've decided to exercise through it and feel happier and fitter than ever.'

Go mama!

What do you like better about your body since having kids?