Welcome to the Ask Home Insemination Kit advice column, where our team of “experts” tackles your most pressing questions about life, love, body image, and parenting.
This week’s query comes from a new mom navigating unsolicited comments about her postpartum appearance.
Dear Home Insemination Kit,
I welcomed my first child six months ago, and while I dropped all the so-called “baby weight” (I really despise that phrase) within a month, people keep bombarding my social media with compliments about how “great” I look. Even though I’m still a size 14-16, which doesn’t fit the conventional mold of thin, their remarks irritate me. The truth is, I lost the weight due to severe postpartum depression and anxiety, not from some healthy lifestyle change. I was too overwhelmed to care for myself properly. How should I handle these comments?
First off, I’m sending you a virtual hug because postpartum mamas deserve all the love. It’s unfortunate that many people don’t realize that commenting on someone’s body—regardless of whether it’s positive—is often inappropriate. Keeping those thoughts to themselves is a free and simple act of kindness.
While compliments may come from a good place, they often ignore the deeper struggles behind your body’s transformation. Those remarks can trigger memories of your mental state during those challenging early weeks, which can feel like a re-traumatization. It’s perplexing that your postpartum form elicits celebration while your pregnant body doesn’t, and that mindset is just plain backward.
When you receive these comments, whether face-to-face or online, it’s completely acceptable to respond as candidly as you wish. Remember, you don’t owe anyone an explanation of your journey, but if you want to enlighten Aunt Clara about why discussing a woman’s appearance can be harmful, go for it! You might say something like, “Thanks, but a mother’s body, no matter the phase, doesn’t define her mental or emotional well-being.”
Alternatively, you could express your feelings more boldly: “I’m not trying to revert to my pre-baby self, and I don’t think any mother should. Let’s challenge the societal expectations together. Catch you at Thanksgiving!”
Ultimately, it’s your choice how to respond. I hope you find the support you need and prioritize your healing journey.
For more insights into navigating motherhood and other related topics, check out our post on home insemination. If you’re interested in resources about artificial insemination, you can also visit Make a Mom, an authority on this subject. For comprehensive information on IVF, the Mayo Clinic is an excellent resource.
Summary:
Unsolicited comments about postpartum bodies can be frustrating, especially when they overlook the personal struggles behind them. Addressing these remarks honestly is your prerogative, and you don’t need to justify yourself to anyone. Instead, focus on your healing and surround yourself with supportive people.
Keyphrase: postpartum body comments
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]