One in Five Women Feel Pressurized to Regain Original Shape Post-Pregnancy

Most new mothers feel insecure about their post-pregnancy weight and one in five say they feel pressurized to lose the baby-weight immediately because of their partners, a latest survey reveals.

The survey was conducted on 793 U.K. mothers. They were asked about what they thought about their bodies before and after they gave birth. The results showed that 20 percent of women said they felt pressurized by the partner to go back to their previous weight and look good.

The researchers said the findings were "concerning" and women should be supported by their partners and allowed to take their time in regaining their physique before pregnancy.

The poll conducted by BioOil also found that women feel under pressure to lose baby-weight because of the media and relatives.

"I find it concerning women are under unnecessary pressure at a time where their main priority, aside from their baby's wellbeing, should be how they're coping with the huge physical and emotional changes to their bodies," said Kathryn Gutteride, a consultant midwife, according to the Daily Mail. "It's important that women realize that just as they took nine months to produce a full grown baby, it will take at least that long for them to regain some of their former shape," she added.

During the first three months of pregnancy, 40 percent of women said they were nervous of the way their body changed. According to the research, the women were worried most about stretch marks, weight, body shape and breast size.

Nearly 12 percent of those surveyed found that they were surprised when their baby bump immediately did not go back to its original shape after delivery. Some 20 percent of women said it took two weeks for their post-baby bump to deflate, for 17 percent women it took a month, 15 percent said it look three months and 27 percent said it took more than three months.