Pregnancy is often celebrated as a joyful milestone, but it can also bring unexpected commentary on a woman's body.
From casual remarks about the size of a bump to comparisons with previous pregnancies, these comments can leave many women feeling self-conscious or stressed.
On The Anton Savage Show, Seán Defoe spoke with Anna Geary, former All-Ireland winner and multiple-time coach on Ireland’s Fittest Families, about her experience receiving unwanted comments during her pregnancy.
Anna explained, “I’ve never had more people comment on my body than I have in the last 10 months. People are asking, ‘Are you due any day?’, ‘Are you sure you’re not having twins?’ or ‘You’re much bigger now than your first pregnancy.’ It’s wild how these rules around commenting on someone’s body go out the window when it comes to pregnancy.”
She added that while she could take the comments lightly, she is aware that many women may feel the pressure more.
“It is a very vulnerable time, and you don’t know how people are experiencing their pregnancy. Commenting on how they look, or how they should look, can really add stress."
Anna also touched on how social media also plays a role in this commentary.
“I posted on my Instagram page to open up a conversation, and the messages I got afterwards showed me that this resonated with a lot of women," she noted.
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The discussion also covered the challenges of staying active during pregnancy.
“Even while filming Ireland’s Fittest Families, sometimes people would comment on what I ate or how I trained, and it’s amazing how much unsolicited advice comes your way," she explained.
Anna reflected on how pregnancy commentary is often a result from curiosity but needs more awareness.
“These comments may not be malicious, but they can really affect someone. We need to remember that every pregnancy is different, and sometimes the best support is to simply be respectful and kind.”
