'The mental load carries the weight': Australian women's perceptions of their postpartum body image and eating attitudes.

Abstract

The postpartum period presents physical and psychological changes, often influenced by societal body image ideals. This study explores postpartum women's experiences with body image and eating behaviours using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Four semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 15 Australian postpartum women. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three key themes: (i) Internal guilt and self-judgement: Mothers are never the priority, mothers deprioritising their needs, (ii) External pressure and support, societal and social influences on postpartum expectations and (iii) Healthy habits and self-compassion, balancing diet, exercise and self-acceptance. Many participants experienced body dissatisfaction driven by societal standards and a desire to reclaim pre-pregnancy bodies, sometimes leading to maladaptive eating behaviours. Social support was both helpful and a source of pressure. This study highlights the complex relationship between postpartum body image and eating attitudes, emphasising the need for holistic healthcare interventions to support maternal well-being, body positivity and healthy eating practices.