I had the pleasure of having a Doctor body shame me… again.
“Post Baby Blues” !?
Following TinyHuman’s birth, as it always is, contraception was one of the first things the Doctors made a point of discussing with me… and that’s fine. I’m not prepared for another pregnancy!
So, we’ve tried a few different ones and had bad side effects. During yet another discussion about what my best option may be, I was asked my weight- of course.
I told the Doctor my most recent weight (I don’t weigh often!), and her instant response was the following phrase in a sympathetic voice…
“Oh, post baby blues?”
Excuse me!?
Why is that okay!?
Now, I’m familiar with the idea that some medications can come with certain added risks depending on a person’s body mass index. That bit is okay. Understandable.
What floored me was the way it was said. Why is it post baby blues? There’s no blues here. This body carried my child, it kept him safe until he was ready to join us. This body did something incredible.
This isn’t to say that my heart doesn’t sink when I look in the mirror or as I tuck my Mum tum into my jeans. I’m not saying that I don’t catch my breath when I see the numbers on the scales, or feel guilt everything I eat something “that I shouldn’t” (although I resent the idea that we shouldn’t eat something).
Being body shamed is not a new thing, it is not the first time I have experienced it and nor will it be the last, even at the hands of a health professional. It is not unusual for woman to be dismissed or told that all of their medical issues are the result of their weight. We weigh too much, we don’t weigh enough. Give it up.
I am no stranger to body shame. I have lived with such shame for as long as I can remember, it’s a heart breaking feeling that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Yet I was made feel that way by a health professional, and not for the first time.
