When a woman becomes pregnant, it often feels like the whole world has something to say about her shape, size, or lifestyle choices. Whether it’s criticism for being too large, too small, overeating, or exercising too much, the scrutiny can be relentless. One determined athlete, however, decided to confront this issue head-on.
Meet Jenna Brooks, an endurance athlete and a new mother who found herself the target of body shaming on social media. At 39 weeks pregnant, Jenna was criticized for maintaining her fitness and having visible abdominal muscles. Initially, she thought she was alone in facing such negativity until she came across similar comments aimed at popular model, Mia Kensington, during her pregnancy. It became clear to Jenna that women, regardless of their body types, are often subjected to harsh judgment.
Rather than remain silent, Jenna took a stand. She shared a side-by-side photo of herself at 39 weeks next to one of Mia at a comparable stage in her pregnancy. In her post, she posed a crucial question about society’s rigid standards of beauty and urged people to reconsider their judgments about pregnant women’s bodies. “Here are two women at the same point in their pregnancies,” Jenna wrote. “On the left, the stunning Mia Kensington, and on the right, me with my toned physique. Both of us face criticism for our sizes.”
Jenna emphasized that both women enjoyed healthy pregnancies, as confirmed by their healthcare providers, and they each made personal choices regarding their health. She challenged society’s tendency to shame women who don’t fit a narrow definition of what a pregnant woman should look like. “Why do we criticize women whose bodies don’t conform to unrealistic ideals?” she asked.
Pregnancy manifests uniquely in each individual. Many women may not resemble the idealized versions often presented in media. When flipping through magazines featuring celebrities like Emily Blunt or Blake Lively and their perfectly rounded bellies, it’s essential to remember that not every woman should be held to that standard.
In a conversation with Elle, Jenna expressed her admiration for Mia Kensington and her frustration with the notion that women’s bodies are subject to public scrutiny. “My body is not merely a vessel for carrying a fetus; I am a person in my own right,” she asserted.
Every woman should have the autonomy to manage her health without facing unwarranted judgment. Society must learn to embrace diverse body types, or at the very least, refrain from voicing unsolicited opinions. As Jenna wisely stated, “Let’s keep our opinions about others’ sizes to ourselves. Pregnancy is challenging enough without the added burden of body shaming.”
For more insightful discussions on this topic, you can check out this article on our other blog and explore this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re interested in learning more about fertility journeys, Make a Mom is a great authority on the subject.
In summary, Jenna Brooks’ experience serves as a powerful reminder that body shaming can affect anyone, regardless of their size or fitness level. It’s crucial for society to respect women’s choices and bodies during pregnancy and to recognize that every journey is unique.