The Bounce Back Trap

The Bounce Back Trap

The Push Podcast by Dr. Meghan McGrattan and Nurse Sydney
S1 · E4
Aug 6, 2025
54:53

Episode notes

Why are we still so obsessed with “baby weight”?

In this episode, we break down the science and the societal pressure behind pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss. From weekly weigh-ins at prenatal visits to the unrealistic timelines for “bouncing back” after birth, we’re asking: what’s the evidence, and what’s just expectation?

Dr. Meghan and Nurse Sydney unpack why pre-pregnancy BMI is actually a much stronger predictor of outcomes than weight gain alone, what the guidelines really say, and how postpartum bodies became a cultural battleground. We also explore the emotional toll of treating recovery like a weight loss program, and what it means to shift the conversation toward healing instead of shrinking. If the scale has ever felt heavier than just a number, let’s unpack it together.

Keywords

obstetrics
health
wellness
labour
labor
pregnancy
gynecology
women's health
postpartum
mental health
parenting
weight gain
weight loss
baby weight
bounce back
obgyn