In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g. Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, etc.) have gained widespread attention for managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss. As these medications become more popular, it raises questions about which demographics warrant their use — including postpartum women. How are GLP-1s going to change the landscape of postpartum weight loss – both physically and psychologically? As a dietitian and mother, I can’t help but wonder.
Preying on the Postpartum
With one preliminary Google search, there are already several websites specifically advertising GLP-1s to postpartum women. From a business perspective, it makes sense. Women who are postpartum find themselves inside a body they no longer recognize. Clothes don’t fit, muscle tone – especially in the core – is gone, and the number on the scale may not be dropping like expected. Not to mention the fact that these women are tired; have no time to think about healthy food, let alone make it; and don’t have the energy or opportunity to exercise, even once they’re cleared to do so.
On top of that, there’s bounceback culture. Bounce-back culture refers to the unrealistic societal expectation that women should quickly return to their pre-pregnancy bodies after childbirth. This pressure can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as restrictive eating, over-exercising, and feelings of failure if weight loss is not immediate. But postpartum weight loss takes time. A study involving U.S. Army active-duty women found that by 36 months postpartum, 75% had achieved their pre-pregnancy fitness levels. That means even for physically active women, it realistically took 3 years to fully recover. Putting this into perspective: most women are much more sedentary than those in this cohort and many don’t even wait 3 years between pregnancies. How can we be expected to have the same bodies that we used to?
The reality is, most women don’t. And it’s affecting us. Studies have shown that weight retention postpartum is directly correlated with body dissatisfaction, which is directly correlated with symptoms of depression. One study showed that women who retained more excess weight and were classified as overweight or obese postpartum were more likely to be depressed up to six years postpartum compared to those who maintained “normal” weights.
This is why society has worked to stifle bounce-back culture. Social media influencers and brands, such as HATCH, have encouraged women to give themselves grace, embrace their bodies during every stage of the child-bearing process, and make nourishing themselves a priority over shedding the baby weight. Now, GLP-1’s are likely going to complicate matters. With a quick weight loss solution at our fingertips, postpartum women may start jumping on the bandwagon, propagating the expectation, once again, that women’s bodies should be snapping back at an unrealistic, and likely unhealthy rate.
What about physical implications?
GLP-1 use in postpartum women comes with important considerations:
- Breastfeeding Concerns: If a mother wants to breastfeed, it is important to note that currently, there is limited research on the safety of GLP-1s for breastfeeding. Many healthcare providers advise against their use during lactation due to the paucity of data on how these medications may affect milk production and the baby’s health.
- Potential Malnutrition: GLP-1s suppress appetite, which leads to drastic reduction of calorie and nutrient intake. This is an essential concern for postpartum women who need sufficient nutrition for recovery and breastfeeding. When a woman has just given birth, her body has experienced tremendous trauma and requires extra macro- and micro-nutrients to heal. If she decides to breastfeed, she requires an excess of 400-500 daily calories on top of that. The idea of radically reducing food intake during this time could impair breastmilk production at best, and compromise the healing process at worst.
- Hormonal Disruption: The postpartum period is already full of significant hormonal shifts that impact metabolism, mood, and appetite. Adding a medication that further alters hormones and appetite regulation may introduce unintended effects on a mother’s overall well-being. Unfortunately, because of limited research, it is impossible to know exactly how and to what extent.
The Bottom Line.
On an individual level, it is possible that for specific demographics of postpartum women, GLP-1s are an obvious choice. However, given the complicated nature of the postpartum period, they need to understand the risks involved. Furthermore, even if a woman decides to take a GLP-1 postpartum, she should still approach her postpartum journey with patience, self-compassion, and a broader perspective on well-being.
As a society, it’s important we refrain from judging these women, but at the same time, avoid being swayed by them. For now, it seems as though taking these medications postpartum should really be the exception, not the rule. Yet with GLP-1’s on the scene, we need to work even harder to shift the postpartum conversation away from rapid weight loss and toward holistic recovery so we can create a healthier and more supportive environment for new mothers navigating this transformative stage of life.
Allison Gross is the founder of The 4Q Method and is a New York based dietitian.
