In Australia, one third of women give birth via c-section, a rate that has continued to rise over the past decade.

What’s more, just as every vaginal birth is different so too are caesareans, and they leave mothers with very different scars.

Here’s a close-up look at some of the variations of normal, when it comes to caesar scars.

Horizontal scars

One week post-birth scar, via Imgur user kwh118.

Mum Delightfully_Destiny posted images of her post-emergency c-section scar in a bid to share her experience and how she’s coming to terms with it.

 

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A post shared by destiny (@delightfully_destiny)

Brittany-Rose Trevena shared a photo of herself just after her c-section to empower other c-section mums and let them know they’re stronger than they realise.

 

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A post shared by Brittany-Rose Trevena 🌹 (@trevenabrittanyrose)

Alexandra White shared her c-section scar because she wished that other mums had shared theirs before she’d had her first baby to showcase what it’s really like and how scars can change.

 

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A post shared by Alexandra White ♡🌸 (@alexandraveenis)

Vertical scars

Jodie Shaw shared this incredible image of her fresh c-section scar, which was large due to having to avoid a fibroid sitting on her cervix and a low lying placenta.

❤ The mark of LOVE ❤ “Birth is amazing, no matter how it happens” #lilianaleahyphotography #atlantaphotographer #atlantabirthphotographer #atlantabirthphotography #atlantanewbornphotographer #roswellnewbornphotographer #gainesvillenewbornphotographer #alpharettababyphotographer #bufordnewbornphotographer #lawrencevillenewbornphotographer #atlantanewbornphotography #mom #mothers #mother #birth #csection #c-section #brave #scar #csectionscar #bravemomma #baby #newbornpictures #newborn #birth_photography #love #csectionmom

A photo posted by Liliana Leahy (@mrsleahy) on Sep 15, 2016 at 8:31pm PDT

A vertical c-section scar not long after birth, via mrsleahy.

This scar is the result of multiple c-sections, via Cynthia Lopez.

We have a whole heap of information available for mums who have had c-sections, including when it’s safe to resume exercise after a caesarian.

Check out Sascha’s story of having a c-section and what to expect.