New mums feel pressure to be slim

Virtually all new mothers are unhappy about the way their body looks after childbirth – with a quarter considering plastic surgery, a survey found.

Mother and Baby magazine surveyed 2,000 new mums, who said seeing celebrities regain their figures in weeks or even days added to the pressure they felt. Most women said they had not regained their pre-pregnancy figures 22 months after giving birth. Speedy celebrity weight-loss was put down to surgery by 80% of women. When they were asked which famous mum they would like to look like, most said they wished they had Catherine Zeta Jones’ top half, and Victoria Beckham’s bottom half. The survey found 86% of new mothers said they felt more attractive before pregnancy and 82% said they were unhappy with their shape after pregnancy. Seventy-seven per cent said they had been “shocked” by the changes to their body. On average, first-time mothers weighed 11st 2lbs (70.7kg). The average pre-pregnancy weight was 10st 2lbs (64.4kg) – but women wanted to weigh around 9st 5lbs (59.4kg). ‘Yummy mummies’ Women said childbirth radically changed their bodies, altering the stomachs, arms, legs, breasts and bottoms – and not for the better. Two thirds of women said they thought about their shape every day, whatever their current size. Sixty per cent said they believed they would be happier if they could improve their bodies. Those who were considering cosmetic surgery said they would be most likely to opt for liposuction, tummy tucks or breast enlargements. However, 94% of the men questioned by the magazine said they found their partners just as attractive as they had before. Elena Dalrymple, Mother & Baby editor and mother of 16-month-old Kate, said: “After having a baby mums should be revelling in the joy of their new baby and eating well so they can healthily breastfeed, not despairing about their body shape and semi-starving themselves. “But the pressure from super-slim celebrity mums to be a yummy mummy is so immense, ordinary mums feel they should have a film star body and be back in their jeans just days after birth.” Gillian Fletcher, president of the National Childbirth Trust said: “Celebrity mums who are seen to be shedding pounds immediately after birth put undue pressure on new mums to lose weight quickly. “It’s understandable that women feel under pressure to look good after giving birth, but it is important to do only as much as you can. “Try to use any spare time to enjoy your baby but also take a little time to look after yourself too.”(Source: BBC News: February 2005.)