“My body doesn’t need to be wrapped or squeezed or changed.”
New mothers are already faced with the monumental task of caring for a new baby; the last thing they need is additional pressure to conform to unrealistic body standards after childbirth. Kelly Jane Thompson shared her experience in a now-viral Facebook post that sheds light on this issue.
While shopping at Target with her newborn, Kelly was approached by a woman who shifted the conversation from casual chit-chat to an unsolicited pitch for weight loss products. Her response to this awkward situation demonstrated a remarkable level of poise.
“I was shopping in Target with my obviously fresh baby,” Kelly recalls. “I’m a new postpartum mom. A woman approached me and started asking the usual questions like ‘how old is she?’ and ‘how much does she weigh?’ Then came The Question: ‘Have you heard of It Works before?’ I replied that I knew what it was but hadn’t used it. She feigned shock and handed me her card along with her sales pitch.”
Can we take a moment to appreciate the audacity it takes to approach someone who just gave birth to suggest they need to lose weight? Seriously, wow.
Kelly continues, “Look, I have no issue with the existence of this company. I even respect the woman for her entrepreneurial spirit. But let’s not pretend that her choosing to approach me was a coincidence.”
Exactly.
“It’s not like she was handing out cards to every woman at Target. She specifically came to me, the woman with a baby, clearly signaling I was a new mother. Society bombards postpartum women with unrealistic expectations about their bodies after they’ve accomplished something incredible—bringing life into the world. We all understand the cultural pressures surrounding postpartum appearances. She knew why she approached me.”
Kelly hits the nail on the head. She was singled out due to the immense societal pressure on women to meet absurd beauty standards, especially after giving birth. Celebrities are often highlighted in the media for how quickly they “bounce back” after having children, sharing tips for reclaiming their pre-baby bodies. But why? Why do we impose such expectations on women who have just performed a miraculous act?
As Kelly eloquently puts it, “Can we PLEASE stop perpetuating the pressure and impossible expectations that fuel the insecurities of new mothers regarding their changing bodies? Instead of succumbing to superficial ideals, let’s uplift each other for being the incredible vessels of life that we are.”
Absolutely! We couldn’t agree more.
She concludes her post with a powerful affirmation for all women: “My body doesn’t need to be wrapped or squeezed or changed. It deserves to be appreciated for the extraordinary life it just brought into this world. THAT is beauty and THAT is all it needs.”
Amen to that!
In addition to this discussion, if you’re interested in the journey of pregnancy and home insemination, check out our post on Couples’ Fertility Journey for Intracervical Insemination. Also, the Cryobaby At-Home Insemination Kit is a great resource for those looking to explore their options. For further information on pregnancy and intrauterine insemination, you can refer to this Mayo Clinic resource.
In summary, Kelly Jane Thompson’s viral post effectively highlights the issue of postpartum body shaming and the unrealistic pressures placed on new mothers. It’s a call for society to celebrate the remarkable achievements of motherhood rather than criticizing the bodies that have brought life into the world.
Keyphrase: postpartum body shaming
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