Bikini model slammed over photos she posted while in labour

Australian influencer Hannah Polites has drawn criticism after sharing a photos of herself, her husband and their daughter just as she went into labour.

Because apparently we're not quite done policing how women choose to approach childbirth.

Polites had been sharing her pregnancy journey with her 1.3 million Instagram followers by way of regular photos and videos.

The bikini model and midwife posted a snap yesterday announcing she'd gone into labour, showing her and her family posing in matching grey outfits alongside a sign that read "Woohoo! Mama is in labour and baby is nearly here!"

However what was likely intended as a fun announcement photo received massive backlash, as hundreds of people flooded the post with negative comments.

"Is taking the time to set up a staged photo for Instagram when you're in labour problematic?" one commenter wrote.

"She's like 'ready to push' posing with full makeup and in a designer hospital gown" another replied.

Many more questioned why Polites would choose to stop for a 'staged' photo seemingly right as she and her family were headed to hospital so she could deliver her second child, none of them realising that 'because she wanted to' is a good enough answer.

This follows an ongoing trend of women being criticised for their own personal choices surrounding childbirth, with many mums slammed for things as simple as wearing makeup, doing their hair or choosing a nice outfit.

Such things shouldn't cause such an online outrage, yet they continue to do so, with many influencers being targeted for sharing polished versions of their own pregnancies and childbirths.

Fortunately plenty of Polite's followers came to defend the 28-year-old mum, with many suggesting she may have taken the photo in advance or simply wanted to remember the moment.

"I don't see anything problematic here," one of her fans wrote.

"I've had four children and every labour is different. I'm guessing she's in early labour and took the time to capture a memory she can keep forever."

A few did mention that the photo may contribute to placing pressure on other mums to be "glamorous even during labour," however others countered that every mum is allowed to make her own choices when it comes to giving birth.

Polites went on to share a collection of photos later showing her newborn son, whose name she hasn't announced yet, just moments after he was born.

The tender black and white photographs show her cradling her second child and breastfeeding him for the first time.

"Your first breath took ours away... We are in absolute heaven with our little boy," she captioned one of the snaps.

"My boy, you’ve chosen a special family and I promise you’ll never regret joining our love bubble."