Why new mums feeling self-conscious about their bodies should limit social media

Shennae Noonan’s body has changed after having her baby via an emergency C-section. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Shennae Noonan had an emergency caesarean when her son Theodore Firmer was born.

The scar is still visible on the 29-year-old mother’s abdomen a year after giving birth.

“I’m quite a fair skinned person so my caesarean (scar) is quite obvious, it’s still quite purple so definitely not unnoticeable,” she said.

Ms Noonan said she found it a struggle to adapt to what had changed.

“If it’s in summer and you think about wearing swimwear or that kind of thing, that perspective has changed for me,” she said.

“I see it (the scar) in the mirror after a shower, it can catch me a little off guard.

“But I don’t let the scar weigh on my mind, you only think about it for that split second.

“The scar is part of the journey of bringing them into the world.”

Ms Noonan, who lives in the regional Victorian city of Benalla, said she underestimated just how much certain parts of her body would change.

“Your body changes in ways and some things won’t ever go back (to normal),” she says.

To help deal with her mental health, Shennae said getting outside and exercising was a great tool.

“Getting out of the house and going for a walk each day is great when I don’t have to work,” she said.

Mum Shennae Noonan with her son Theodore.

“At some point, I just get too busy to think about it.”

President of the Australian Psychological Society, Dr Sara Quinn, said body image issues were common.

However, internal beliefs and external influences meant mothers faced a high risk.

“We know that in this environment, pregnant and post-partum women are particularly vulnerable,” Dr Quinn said.

“Our research shows social media exposure can increase body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy.”

Psychologist and Policy Coordinator at the Australian Association of Psychologists, Carly Dober said body dissatisfaction could stem from multiple reasons.

“It can be things like stretch marks, varicose veins, changes to the breast and stomach (shape, size and skin elasticity) or scars from intervention (caesarean, anal or vaginal prolapse),” she said.

Theodore Firmerwas first runner-up in the Herald Sun and Geelong Advertiser 2025 Cutest Baby competition 12-18 month category. Picture: Supplied

Dr Quin said compulsive exercise, excessive appearance checking and heightened self criticisms were indicators that psychological help may be needed.

She said it was important for mothers to curate their digital environment to promote a healthier body image.

“Limiting exposure to content that promotes a narrow standard of what the body should look like and instead following creators who promote body positivity is important,” she said.

“Ask, what does it take to achieve the appearance of what I’m seeing, is it representative of real people in everyday life, and what the costs are.

“If anybody has concerns about body image, appearance related thoughts or eating behaviours that are out of the ordinary, it’s important to seek help early, rather than waiting for it to become problematic.”

Originally published as Why new mums feeling self-conscious about their bodies should limit social media