The Disturbing Trend: New Mothers and Weight-Loss Jabs
In a society obsessed with appearances, a dangerous trend is gripping new mothers in India: the rush to shed post-pregnancy weight using quick-fix injections. Weight-loss jabs like Liraglutide (Saxenda) and Semaglutide (Wegovy) promise rapid results—but the physical and mental costs are staggering. Behind the Instagram-perfect transformations and wedding-day pressures lies a crisis of body image, societal expectations, and medical risks.
The Crushing Pressure to “Bounce Back”
New mothers face relentless scrutiny to return to their pre-pregnancy bodies. Social media influencers, Bollywood stars, and even family members fuel unrealistic standards. For many, the pressure peaks around weddings—whether their own or a loved one’s—where they fear judgment.
Priya (name changed), 28, shared: “The thought of not being thin for my wedding makes me want to die. I’m tempted to try weight-loss jabs, even though I’m breastfeeding.” Her story mirrors countless others, with clinics reporting a surge in postpartum women seeking quick fixes.
The Dangerous Rise of Weight-Loss Injections
Originally designed for type-2 diabetes, drugs like Saxenda and Wegovy suppress appetite and slow digestion. While approved for obesity treatment in some countries, their off-label use for cosmetic weight loss—especially among postpartum women—is risky.
Dr. Aparna Sharma, gynecologist (Delhi), warns:
– “These drugs aren’t tested for lactating mothers.”
– Side effects include nausea, fatigue, pancreatitis, and reduced milk supply.
– Some mothers lie about breastfeeding to get prescriptions.
The Hidden Mental Health Crisis
1 in 5 Indian mothers experiences postpartum depression (PPD), worsened by body image struggles. Therapist Ananya Reddy explains:
“Women are told their worth depends on their waist size. After childbirth—a monumental feat—they’re shamed for not ‘snapping back.’”
Extreme cases:
– One mother overdosed on jabs, fainted at her baby’s christening, and admitted: “I’d rather collapse than be fat in photos.”
Who’s to Blame? Society’s Toxic Complicity
The problem isn’t just individual choices—it’s systemic:
– Bollywood’s “snapback” culture glorifies rapid postpartum weight loss.
– Bridal magazines promote extreme pre-wedding diets.
– Some doctors push unregulated “mommy makeovers.”
Activist Kavita Krishnan says: “We reduce mothers to dress sizes instead of celebrating their strength.”
How to Fix This? A Call to Action
- Medical Responsibility: Doctors must evaluate risks before prescribing jabs to postpartum women.
- Mental Health Support: Body image counseling should be part of standard postpartum care.
- Cultural Shift: Normalize and celebrate postpartum bodies—stretch marks, curves, and all.
Priya’s turnaround: After therapy, she canceled her jab appointment, realizing: “My baby needs a healthy mom more than I need a tiny waist.” But until society stops equating thinness with worth, mothers will keep risking their lives for the perfect wedding photo.
The Bottom Line: Weight-loss jabs offer a tempting quick fix, but the cost to health, mental well-being, and motherhood is far too high.
— NextMinuteNews, advocating for healthier, happier mothers.
