Celebs pile pressure on new mums to lose weight

WOMEN are facing growing pressure to regain their figures quickly after giving birth, with “super-fit” celebrity mothers adding to their anxiety, research has found.

Almost half of mothers (45%) said that after having their baby their main concern was to lose the weight they had put on during pregnancy.

More than four out of five (85%) thought celebrity mothers, such as Liz Hurley, Victoria Beckham and Catherine Zeta Jones - who make it look easy to regain their shape - were sending out the wrong message to women.

The Pregnancy Pressure survey by Norwich Union Healthcare found that 28% of women felt they were under social pressure to lose weight after giving birth.

A fifth of the 500 women questioned (21%) said they feared they would never regain their pre-birth shape.

Although 22% of new mothers said the best thing about being pregnant was being able to eat what they liked, 13% said the worst thing was feeling fat.

Consultant obstetrician Dr Yehudi Gordon said there were a lot of pressures on women having a baby and these were highlighted by the media.

“Celebrity mums have a vested interest in getting back to shape because their public image is all important,” he said.

“But what new mothers must realise is that these celebrities have taken time off to spend each day actively pursuing the result they want with the help of a team of experts, from nannies to personal trainers and dieticians.

“Most real women, on the other hand, can’t afford to take out such time or the luxury of a team of helpers.”

The research revealed other pressures faced by pregnant women.

More than a quarter (27%) said they would feel a failure if they were not able to give birth naturally.

Half thought that women should have the right to have an elective Caesarean - dubbed “too posh to push” - and 58% believed where there was no medical reason they should be made to pay for the procedure.

Pain prevention (62%) and fitting a birth into a busy schedule (35%) were seen as the main reasons for women choosing to have an elective Caesarean birth.

A further 12% thought women chose a Caesarean because it helped them lose weight quicker after giving birth. Norwich Union Healthcare has produced a free Pregnancy Pressure guide for new mothers and mothers-to-be with advice and information about pregnancy and birth.

Dr Doug Wright, clinical development manager at Norwich Union Healthcare, said: “Women face all sorts of pressures both during their pregnancy and after the birth of their child.

“We hope our Pregnancy Pressure guide will provide another avenue of support, as well as being a useful directory for them during this time.”

The guide is available by e-mailing [e-mail].

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), said: “Celebrity mums such as Elizabeth Hurley, who are seen to be shedding pounds immediately after birth put undue pressure on new mums to lose weight quickly.

“It takes nine months for the body to prepare itself to give birth so it’s ludicrous that we expect women’s bodies to spring back into shape so soon afterwards.”

Getting back in shape

MOST women will be given a fitness programme by their physio-therapist for the first two weeks after the birth. This should include Kegel exercises to strengthen the abdomen.

The key thing to remember is only start to exercise when you feel ready and have obtained your doctor’s approval.

First three weeks

You can slowly start to build up to exercising three times per week. Do aerobic work, stretching and light strength work. However, be careful as your joints are still loose and won’t stabilise for up to eight weeks after you’ve given birth.

From three weeks

Cardiovascular work such as 20-25 minute walks three times per week. Strength exercises should include leg extensions, leg curls, back extensions, chest presses, bicep curls, tricep extensions, abdominal work, and core work. Use light weights if weight training. Stretch only after you have warmed up and do not over-stretch (joints may still be loose). Do not bounce when stretching.

Buy an exercise ball

These are great for strengthening and stabilizing your core muscles and come with exercise charts. It is important that before doing abdominal exercises you check for diastasis recti (separation of abdominal wall). If you do have it, pull your sides toward the middle with your hands when doing crunches, etc.

Iso-Abs/“Plank” for Core

This is a great exercise for flattening and toning your stomach. Begin on your elbows and knees with your back straight. Squeeze your buttocks, draw your belly button to your spine and tilt your pelvis. For the more advanced rise on your toes, holding for 6-20 seconds, and repeat 5-8 times. If your back sags down you aren’t drawing in and holding your belly button hard enough or your core is simply too weak at the moment

Mind your posture

Stand straight, bring your shoulder blades back and down. Keep your belly button drawn in as much as you can during the day. Keep your feet straight when walking and standing and keep your chin up.

Wall sit-and-reach exercises for posture:

Semi-sit against a wall, legs at 90-120 degrees depending on your strength. Press spine completely against wall. Draw belly button in and slowly raise your arms over your head. Bring them back as far as they will go without any part of your spine leaving the wall. You should feel tension in your upper back but don’t strain yourself. Hold for one minute, then repeat 2-3 times breathing normally.

David Sisk Fitness Studio, Rochestown 021 4898452.