A growing number of new mothers are turning to weight loss drugs in a desperate bid to snap back into shape after childbirth, despite warnings from health experts that these medications can be detrimental to breastfeeding and overall health.
Many women, like Lydia, had initially considered taking the GLP-1 agonist Mounjaro during pregnancy but instead opted for breastfeeding. However, as their babies grew older and feeding became less frequent, Lydia found herself facing pressure to lose weight again. The constant bombardment of advertisements and social media posts about the benefits of these medications made her feel like she was losing a battle against societal expectations.
According to Dr Jan Toledano, a leading women's hormone specialist, many new mothers are taking these drugs without proper guidance or support from healthcare professionals. This can lead to a range of problems, including decreased milk production and decreased energy levels, which may mask underlying health issues such as postnatal depression.
Melanie, a 31-year-old mother of two, had been using Mounjaro for six months after giving birth. She lost five stone on the medication but has since stopped taking it due to intolerable side effects. Melanie attributes her decision to take the drug despite knowing its risks to her own vulnerabilities and insecurity in the early postnatal period.
The rise of private weight loss providers has made it easier than ever for new mothers to access these medications without proper oversight or guidance from healthcare professionals. This can be a recipe for disaster, as Toledano warns that many women may not be aware of the potential risks associated with taking these medications while breastfeeding.
In fact, research suggests that as many as four in 10 women experience postnatal body dissatisfaction, and the pressure to lose weight is now more accessible than ever. The government's own guidelines advise against taking GLP-1 agonists during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but many private providers are now marketing these medications directly to consumers.
Lydia, like Melanie, has decided not to take the drugs, citing her commitment to breastfeeding and her desire to prioritize her child's health above all else. However, she knows that if advised by a healthcare professional, she may consider taking the medication in the future, as long as it does not pose a risk to her son.
As Lydia poignantly notes, many women are being forced to choose between two things that society places huge pressure on mothers to achieve: bouncing back and breastfeeding. The reality is that these expectations can be impossible to meet, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and insecurity in the early postnatal period.
Ultimately, it is clear that more needs to be done to support new mothers as they navigate this critical period of their lives. This includes providing accessible guidance and support from healthcare professionals, as well as promoting a culture of acceptance and body positivity around motherhood.
Many women, like Lydia, had initially considered taking the GLP-1 agonist Mounjaro during pregnancy but instead opted for breastfeeding. However, as their babies grew older and feeding became less frequent, Lydia found herself facing pressure to lose weight again. The constant bombardment of advertisements and social media posts about the benefits of these medications made her feel like she was losing a battle against societal expectations.
According to Dr Jan Toledano, a leading women's hormone specialist, many new mothers are taking these drugs without proper guidance or support from healthcare professionals. This can lead to a range of problems, including decreased milk production and decreased energy levels, which may mask underlying health issues such as postnatal depression.
Melanie, a 31-year-old mother of two, had been using Mounjaro for six months after giving birth. She lost five stone on the medication but has since stopped taking it due to intolerable side effects. Melanie attributes her decision to take the drug despite knowing its risks to her own vulnerabilities and insecurity in the early postnatal period.
The rise of private weight loss providers has made it easier than ever for new mothers to access these medications without proper oversight or guidance from healthcare professionals. This can be a recipe for disaster, as Toledano warns that many women may not be aware of the potential risks associated with taking these medications while breastfeeding.
In fact, research suggests that as many as four in 10 women experience postnatal body dissatisfaction, and the pressure to lose weight is now more accessible than ever. The government's own guidelines advise against taking GLP-1 agonists during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but many private providers are now marketing these medications directly to consumers.
Lydia, like Melanie, has decided not to take the drugs, citing her commitment to breastfeeding and her desire to prioritize her child's health above all else. However, she knows that if advised by a healthcare professional, she may consider taking the medication in the future, as long as it does not pose a risk to her son.
As Lydia poignantly notes, many women are being forced to choose between two things that society places huge pressure on mothers to achieve: bouncing back and breastfeeding. The reality is that these expectations can be impossible to meet, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and insecurity in the early postnatal period.
Ultimately, it is clear that more needs to be done to support new mothers as they navigate this critical period of their lives. This includes providing accessible guidance and support from healthcare professionals, as well as promoting a culture of acceptance and body positivity around motherhood.
women are being ripped off by private weight loss providers 
these companies know the risks of GLP-1 agonists on breastfeeding & overall health but still push them anyway 
its not just about individual choice it's about systemic pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards after childbirth 
every new mum needs proper guidance & support from healthcare pros before being let loose with weight loss meds 
just heard about how many new moms are taking weight loss meds without proper guidance 
it's like they're trying to lose themselves along with the baby weight 
private weight loss providers gotta be held accountable too 
they're profiting off these women's insecurities 
. They're being pushed too hard to lose weight after having kids 
, but what about taking care of their babies first? 
. And the meds 
are so not safe for breastfeeding, apparently 
They just want to be a good mom and take care of themselves 
. We need more support from our healthcare pros 
and from society as a whole 
. Let's focus on body positivity and self-love, not pressure to conform 
!
it's like society expects them 2 be this perfect mom who can bounce back 2 their pre-pregnancy body in no time but what if that's just not possible?! 
i mean i no some women need help w/ weight loss but not at the expense of breastfeeding or their own health 
anywayz check out this doc talking abt the dangers of weight loss meds during breastfeeding 