- Other forms of pressure came from the media and members of the family
- Expert said findings were ‘concerning’ and that ‘women are under
unnecessary pressure when coping with huge physical changes’ - Many new mothers didn’t realise they would be left with a bump after birth
- Around 20% of women said
it took two weeks for it to go down while nearly 30% said it took
longer than three months
By
Rachel Reilly
10:19 EST, 1 August 2013
|
11:11 EST, 1 August 2013
One in five women feel under pressure to regain their pre-pregnancy body after giving birth because their husbands or boyfriends aren’t happy with their appearance, according to new research.
A poll has found that the majority of new mothers feel insecure about their figure immediately after pregnancy, with many admitting that they feel emotionally unstable, stressed and pressurised to look good.
An expert has described the findings as ‘concerning’, saying that women should be given more support when put under ‘unnecessary pressure’ by the media and their partners.
Kathryn Gutteride, Consultant Midwife and Clinical Lead at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals said she was ‘concerned’ by the findings: ‘Women are under unnecessary pressure at a time where their main priority, aside from their baby¿s wellbeing, should be how they¿re coping with the huge physical and emotional changes to their bodies’
The poll, carried out by BioOil, followed 793 expectant mothers who were three months into their pregnancy.
Researchers asked how they felt about their body at the time and then returned to ask similar question six months later, after they had given birth.
Shockingly researchers found that 20 per cent of mothers felt pressurised to regain their pre-pregnancy physique because of pressure from their partner.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, has brought the issue of the post-birth baby bump to the fore
Other forms of pressure came from the media, and other members of the family. Half of women admitted that they put the pressure on themselves to return to a lighter weight, however.
Kathryn Gutteride, Consultant Midwife and Clinical Lead at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals said: ‘I find it concerning women are under unnecessary pressure at a time where their main priority, aside from their baby’s wellbeing, should be how they’re coping with the huge physical and emotional changes to their bodies.
‘It’s important that women realise that just as they took nine months to produce a full grown baby, it will take at least that long for them to regain some of their former shape.’
The study also found that many women are baffled by the bodily changes that occur during and after pregnancy.
Over 12 per cent admitted that they were surprised when their bump did not disappear immediately after birth.
Indeed media coverage of Duchess Kate after the Royal birth has exposed how many people do not fully understand how a mother’s body responds to birth.
A pregnant woman’s abdominal wall muscles and uterus must stretch a lot in order for a baby grow and because of this, many women will continue to look as if they are eight to 12 weeks pregnant for up to three months after birth.
In the poll, 20 per cent of women said
it took two weeks for it to go down, 17 per cent said it took a months,
15 per cent said it took three months and 27 per cent said it took
longer than three months.
Around 40 per cent also said they frequently worry about their body ion the first three months after pregnancy.
Of those, the top concerns were stretchmarks, followed by weight, then body shape and breast size.
After the muscles and uterus have relaxed back into place, the study found it takes more than six months for most women to lose weight and fit back into their pre-pregnancy clothes.
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When you have a family you will lose your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. You will not be a sex kitten you will be an unpaid slave. Love making will be sex once a month on a saturday night. Heehee – Concertante , Venus, United Kingdom — Well that’s sounds dreadful! No children for me!
Natasha
,
Wonderland, United States,
01/8/2013 22:55
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Gonna get flamed for this but…………It would be 5 for 5 if men said what they really felt.
Women we are built differently and are visual creatures…….Sorry it is what it is. Most men NEED that to maintain physical attraction……..
In all fairness it’s only acceptable to push or ask for that if the man is willing to do a bulk of the chores and daily work with the baby to give the woman the time and freedom to work out. Ridiculously unfair to ask for or expect a woman to do both.
D-Man
,
Virginia, United States,
01/8/2013 21:35
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That’s an out and out lie, men love women who have shape and holding a lovely round tummy is so sexy. Its all from media image…. so girls don’t get suckered!
– daz , Cheshire, United Kingdom, 01/8/2013 17:45
Speak for yourself mate.
Fiftypence
,
Blackburn,
01/8/2013 21:30
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Its simply, you want me to look sexy don’t impregnate me. The second is, you change the diaper, do the sleepless night, pay for my gym and cook an healthy meal for me.
katty
,
Bournemouth, United Kingdom,
01/8/2013 21:18
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Your comments:that means 80 per cent aren’t pressurised.
Dave the rave
,
Jersey,
01/8/2013 20:52
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It doesn’t matter how you look after childbirth. We’re all different and if your husband loves you then it doesn’t matter what you look like. He should know that everything changes after childbirth and should love you no matter what.
flora
,
norwich, United Kingdom,
01/8/2013 20:46
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Women should demand their husbands never gain weight.
Look at all the fat and overweight married men acrros America!
Sandy Reis
,
Massachusetts, United States,
01/8/2013 20:28
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The other 4 out of 5 women feel pressured by media sources to lose weight … even if they don’t need to!
Rileysan
,
Portland, United States,
01/8/2013 20:25
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I think it would take a brave man, in prime physical condition that would dare open his mouth and utter anything mildly negative that I would let walk away after I had just pushed out his baby!
Open your eyes
,
Cornwall,
01/8/2013 19:43
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When you have a family you will lose your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. You will not be a sex kitten you will be an unpaid slave.
Love making will be sex once a month on a saturday night.
Heehee
Concertante
,
Venus, United Kingdom,
01/8/2013 19:27
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