The pressure to regain pre-pregnancy body shape is driving some new mothers to use weight-loss drugs, despite NHS warnings against their use while breastfeeding. Lydia*, a 33-year-old from Wales, resumed weight-loss injections four weeks after giving birth, citing immense pressure to be 'thin' for her upcoming wedding.
Lydia first considered the drugs during pregnancy, influenced by widespread advertising and conversations among peers. In her antenatal class WhatsApp group, three out of six mothers chose not to breastfeed or gave up early to either crash diet or use weight-loss jabs, both advised against during breastfeeding due to potential impacts on milk quality and supply.
Although Lydia initially focused on her son's health after a traumatic birth, she began to feel pressure as her weight increased postpartum. She now sees targeted ads for weight-loss jabs on social media and notes that many of her followers are using them. 'The thought of not being 'thin' for my wedding makes me want to die inside,' she said.
The trend is reflected in the rapid growth of the GLP-1 agonist market, with an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK using these drugs. Private providers target new mothers, as evidenced by Serena Williams' endorsement of Ro, a private provider, stating: 'After kids, it's the medicine my body needed.'
Dr Jan Toledano, a women's hormone specialist, warns that these drugs should not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding. A 2019 study found that up to 40% of women experience postnatal body dissatisfaction, highlighting the societal pressures driving this trend.
