Many discomforts occur during pregnancy such as morning sickness, headaches and backaches, bladder and bowel changes, stretching marks, changes in skin colour, indigestion and heartburn, leg cramps and swelling. Sometimes tiredness, which is more than usual, and mood swings result in a negative body image.
Unfortunately, some pregnant women feel absolved of their previous adherence to societal expectations of thinness, although weight gain is normal in pregnancy, thus reducing body dissatisfaction.
Researchers in a study have found that body dissatisfaction can increase the risk of postpartum depression and eating disorders, with health consequences for mother and child.
In a survey conducted to learn more about the prevalence of body dissatisfaction in pregnancy and childbirth, identify the factors that contribute to these feelings, and what type of intervention could help, researchers reported that improving body positivity during and after pregnancy could lead to healthier mothers and children.
It was a survey of 161 pregnant and postpartum (after delivery) individuals between the ages of 18 and 45, in which 50 per cent of the respondents reported a feeling of body dissatisfaction.
Over 40 per cent of them also said being pregnant or having a baby had made them self-conscious about their appearance. More than 60 per cent of respondents believed they should be thin or thinner than their current size, and over half said comments from others about their body or size had an impact on their body image.
The respondents listed the negative effects of pursuing an ideal body image as poor mental health, disordered eating and exercise habits, lost time and money, and negative self-talk. Some said pregnancy and childbirth led to a greater appreciation for what their bodies were capable of and that this helped them focus more on their own health and nutrition. Notably, nearly half of survey respondents reported pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese categories.
While weight gain is normal during pregnancy, being overweight or obese before pregnancy or gaining excess weight while pregnant can also increase health risks for mother and baby.
These results were recently published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health.
But judging by the responses in the survey, the researchers said issues of body image and eating seem to be a thing that many pregnant women care about. This is despite a culture that emphasises being so happy to be pregnant although women’s experience with their bodies changing is significant.
“Body positivity of the woman is important, although the African woman does not know how to take care of herself. They put on so much weight, their breast become big and saggy and they are not as attractive as they were before pregnancy,” said Professor Chris Aimakhu, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Professor Aimakhu declared that body positivity will ensure that women even after pregnancy remain attractive to their spouses, adding, “Many African women do not take good care of their bodies and looks; that is why men have extramarital affairs.”
Dr Jibril Abdulmalik, a consultant psychiatrist at UCH, Ibadan, in a reaction to the study, said maintaining a good self-image in pregnancy and after childbirth is not just for women but for everybody throughout life.
He said that a good self-image can help boost self-esteem, give confidence, lift the mood and make an individual feel emotionally better.
“That is one of the reasons why regular physical exercise also lifts the mood and improves emotional well-being. Even if you are depressed, studies have shown that just regular exercises alone sometimes can lift your mood and help you recover from depression. During exercise, your muscles release chemicals that will lift your mood.
“So when you feel active, when you feel energized and when you are happy with how you look and you know you are fit, it boosts your self-confidence, your self-esteem, your emotional well-being.”
Dr Abdulmalik added that meditation, having a positive mindset, and maintaining a good network of social support are also important for individuals, particularly pregnant women, to feel better and keep in good health both physically as well as mentally.
He, however, urged women to also love themselves by embracing the changes in their bodies during pregnancy, refraining from body shaming and knowing that they will not look the same way or be of the same size they used to shortly after delivery.
While weight gain is normal during pregnancy, being overweight or obese before pregnancy or gaining excess weight while pregnant can also increase health risks for mother and baby.
Researchers have shown that individuals who experience body dissatisfaction are less likely to engage in health behaviours such as physical activity, smoking cessation, and skin cancer prevention behaviours.
Conversely, individuals who report a positive view of themselves and positive body image tend to treat their body with self-compassion and respect, demonstrating increased appreciation for how their body functions whilst actively minimising perceived body imperfections.
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