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

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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.

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