After giving birth, nobody's body bounces straight back to how it was before. Couple that with post-natal depression and it becomes even harder to shake the weight, should you even want to.
But one poor woman has shared the militant methods her husband used to try and encourage her to shift the pounds, branding her 'Miss Piggy' and even getting their kids to oink at her.
As part of a conversation thread named Am I The As*hole, the 32-year-old anonymous female wrote on Reddit: "I gave birth back in October. Since then, it's been extremely difficult for me to lose the baby weight... mainly due to my postpartum depression.
Advert
"I get next to no sleep attending to my children and most mornings, I can barely get out of bed, much less drive to the gym. It's been a dark few months for me.
"I've told these things to my partner "Dave" (43 M) and though he said he understood, I don't think he really does.
"Though never explicitly stating it, he makes jokes and comments that imply I'm lazy and that he's no longer attracted to me."
Revealing that things had reached breaking point, the desperate mum went on: "Last week, I broke down to him about not being able to lose the weight, and he said that he would push me to do so because he loves me.
Advert
"Since then, he's taken a Biggest Loser approach and started calling me "Ms. Piggy" and has instructed all of my friends and family, even my kids, to do so.
"I hate this nickname, but he says it's supposed to motivate me to lose weight. I think he really believes it's going to help me, but I feel really undermined while parenting because of this nickname."
The Reddit user went on to explain that the horrid name calling had caused her to yell at her husband in front of their kids - something they made a pact never to do - because she was so exasperated.
Advert
She signed off: "The kids started crying and Dave says I'm to blame."
Ahem...As you can imagine, people in the comments section had a lot of thoughts and feelings.
"Teaching your children to humiliate you into losing weight is so beyond f*cked up," wrote one person in reply.
While another said: "He is also teaching his kids to be bullies and he is a bully. What a mean person.
Advert
"As a mother who also had trouble losing her baby weight and has always always had weight issues, this brings tears to my eyes. I hope there are others in your life who can support you."
A third concurred: "This is bullying and abusive? What is wrong with your partner? He's belittling you in your own eyes and your children's, you have every right to be upset. That's cruel."
"Yeah what is Dave's plan when the kids get in trouble at school for bullying a classmate or teacher like this?" another wrote.
Advert
We think Dave needs to sit down and read what the internet has to say about him. If you're reading this, Dave, you can check out the full thread here.
Here's hoping you find it very educational...
Anyone affected by this story or struggling in any way should call Samaritans for free on 116 123 - or write down your thoughts in an email to [email protected].
Topics: Pregnancy, wellbeing, Motherhood, Health