Photographer's heartwarming picture of a new mum and her nurse in the bathroom goes viral

A photograph capturing the close bond of a nurse and her patient who had just given birth has taken the internet by storm.

Giving birth is an emotional, difficult but amazing experience and so it's unsurprising that many parents like to document the journey they go through.

A mum-to-be did just that when she hired Katie Lacer of MommaKT Shoots Photography - and while you'd expect the usual mum holding baby and dad looking teary snaps, Katie took it one step further.

The birth experience photographer took a photo capturing the new mum's very first post-birth trip to the bathroom, and the moment has since proved incredibly poignant to parents all over the world.

https://www.facebook.com/BabyRabiesBlog/photos/a.143770091626.121954.57562646626/10154618859726627/?type=3&theater

The honest snap showed her nurse kneeling on the floor beside her offering her a cold pack as the new mother tries to go to the toilet - a mean feat after birth, any mum will tell you.

Popular blogger, Jill Krause who runs the site Baby Rabies, posted Katie's heartwarming snap to her Facebook page explaining that it reminded her of her own birth experience.

Jill said: 'I'll never forget the faces of the nurses who followed me into the bathroom after delivering each baby.'

'That moment when I was so vulnerable, so tired, scared, shaky. My swollen belly deflated and my modesty long gone. They treated me with such kindness and dignity.'

She explained how these moments were empowering and confirming that she had a real village to help: 'Even if just for that little bit of time in a bathroom, on a toilet, while a kind nurse shows me how to put an ice pad on my mesh undies.'

The candid post has since been shared over 68k times and over 7k comments.

One commenter said: 'Immediately after my first was born, the nurse turned to me and said, "I know you just had a baby, but the hospital kitchen closes in 10 minutes and I can score you some chicken nuggets and fries if we move fast!" I hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours. I wanted to kiss her!!'

Another posted: 'And here's to the nurses who practically carry you to the toilet after a c-section...and hand you a popsicle after to celebrate your first post surgery walk 🙌🏼

'I was so exhausted and in so much pain after a long labor and c-section that once I got to the shower, I just stood there frozen in pain. My sweet nurse lovingly soaped me up and rinsed me off. It was a very humbling experience. I'll never forget her,' shared a third.

What would you most like to thank your nurse for? Let us know in the comments box below.