Kelly Hughes becomes first woman to show C-section scar on Sports Illustrated cover

A huge step in the right direction.

For the first time ever, the iconic Sports Illustrated magazine has featured a C-section scar on its cover. It is hoped that the image can help tackle the stigma surrounding these scars and show what birth and motherhood can really look like - especially for those who haven't given birth in the 'traditional' way. In the image, model Kelly Hughes can be seen pulling down her bikini bottom to expose her scar. Kelly said she was "speechless and so honoured" to be the first woman to embrace her scar on the magazine's pages in its 58-year-history. Collaborating with parenting brand Frida Mom for the photoshoot, she said she wanted to "normalise and embrace the changes with a woman’s body especially when becoming a mom is so amazing to be a part of". The model later told Allure that while her C-section scar never directly impacted her career, the insecurity she felt over the years because of it did. "It took time to heal physically and mentally and embrace all that I had gone through and the many changes to my body to find the strength in it," she said. "It wasn't until I embraced my scar that I experienced the power in it. "This was so much more than a photo shoot to me. There is an incredible shift happening in our society today with inclusivity. To be given this opportunity to tell my story, [I can] hopefully encourage women to be empowered." Sharing the cover photo to Instagram, Sports Illustrated wrote: "Let's give some love to all our moms out there to acknowledge the power of the female body and the beauty of motherhood." Many women rushed to the comments to share their support for the campaign. "Yes! I’m proud of my C-section scar & the story behind it," one person said. Another added: "Yes yes yesssss. I'm an emergency C-section mom and reading this is opening eyes! There’s so many woman ashamed for their scar but is nothing more than the proof you are strong!"