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.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2382604/1-5-women-feel-pressurised-lose-weight-pregnancy-PARTNERS-arent-happy-way-look.html#ixzz2ajrf6p5J
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