Higher Facebook use predicts greater body image dissatisfaction during pregnancy: The role of self-comparison

Abstract

the potential impact of Facebook on increasing the risk of, or promoting existing poor body image is an important message for those working to support mothers during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Care should be taken when directing mothers to use the site.

The effects of infertility on perception of body in pregnancy: A comparative study

“…It was reported in the literature that the pregnancy‐related changes in physical appearance (gaining weight fast, changes in skin, varix appearance, edema in hands and feet, etc.) are perceived positively by some women but lead to body dissatisfaction in others . Studies that investigate body perception in pregnancy obtained similar results, and it was observed that women provided different responses to physical changes accompanying pregnancy .…”

“…Especially in recent years, women increasingly started to experience concern regarding weight gains and their appearance in pregnancy. Therefore, although women are aware that gaining weight through pregnancy is a requirement, they may be in a tendency to limit the effects of pregnancy on their body . About 72% of the participants in the IVF group stated that they took precautions or initiatives (being careful about what they eat, exercising and using skin crack cream) for changes that take place in pregnancy.…”

“…Although pregnancy is a relatively small part of women's lives, it leads to rapid changes in body shape and size . Due to these rapid changes, pregnant women may feel loss of control over their appearance . Especially the changes in physical appearance during pregnancy become more visible as the pregnancy progresses, and lead to body dissatisfaction in some women …”

What the Health? Information Sources and Maternal Lifestyle Behaviors (Preprint)

“…Hicks and Brown [35] found that time spent on social media was associated with body dissatisfaction among pregnant women.…”

“…Still, the way Internet and media focuses on the "yummy mummy", a slender woman with a neat bump [35], may have impacted the women's GWG.…”