Emmaline Parry’s Post

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Co-Founder at Mirrored Horizons | Alignment Consultant | Organisational Capaibility, Design and Development Specialist

TW: Body Image. How to think twice when speaking to a pregnant woman in the workplace or anywhere… I write this with its sole intent to bring awareness. By no means have I ever thought that the comments that I draw reference to below have ever been said with anything but well meaning. I am currently navigating my second pregnancy as a young woman who has struggled with body dysmorphia, internalised fatphobia, binge eating and restricting for as long as I can remember. Pregnancy is a beautiful miracle where you are constantly reminded by those around you through generously shared struggles that you should always be grateful for what you have inside you. And whilst I am grateful for the life that I am able to grow, I find the daily struggle of feeling like an alien in your own body forever confronting. I have decided I can be, and am both. Both eternally grateful and somewhat resentful. What I have found hard to navigate this time round is being pregnant with people around me. You see, my first pregnancy I navigated through Covid, and I didn’t have people’s voices in my head as much. This time though, some of the comments I have received have made me acutely aware of my changing body and moreover confronted by how people feel comfortable making comments on my body. Some of these comments are as follows and whilst well meaning, have made me hyper focused on how I look; -       “Gosh you have popped!!” -       “How far along are you again- you look like you’re ready to go” -       “You can definitely tell you’re pregnant now” -       “You look like you’re carrying differently this time round” -       “You look so much more pregnant now” -       “You have changed so quickly” -       “You look tired” These are just a few that come to mind. And when I was considering the responses I might get to sharing my thoughts perhaps with a “well what can we say then?” I have the perfect example said to me by a gorgeous man that I have had the pleasure of working with who is a Dad himself to teenage children. He said “I wanted to come and wish you all the best with your second time round. You will make the most perfect Mum of two.” The comment wasn’t about my body. It was about me and my character and what he saw in me that makes a good Mummy and will make a good Mummy of two as well. I know it can feel like a minefield for people navigating what is the “right” thing to say, however I hope this serves as a little reminder that we never know what people have going on behind the scenes (in all aspects of life). All we can do is seek to understand and I just wish one person would have seen my obvious discomfort with those comments and said “hey, did I say something that didn’t land with you?” so I could have this conversation with them in person. I will keep working on myself in hopes that I can one day hear these comments and feel nothing. I, as we all are, are just a work in progress. #pregnancy #paternityleave #pregnantatwork #understanding

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Qazi Sharmin Sultana

Experienced Professional Year Trainer and Assessor at Performance Education II Driving Success and Growth through Innovative Training Solutions II VET Trainer II Specialising in RTO Operations, Training & Compliance

3mo

Very thoughtful and beautiful writing Emmaline. And I must say you always look amazing :) I am loving your uploaded photograph; simply adorable. Yes, you are right. Sometimes peoples' behaviours/comments affect us because envy is human nature or may be they project their own feelings onto us without knowing us. Someone's comment/inability to feel us does not define us. I feel it is utmost important to make ourselves feel happy and good no matter what anyone says/feels, as the world revolves around us. You are blessed with this beautiful stage of your life with second pregnancy. Enjoy every single moment. Not everyone is as lucky as you. Sending a big virtual hug, lots of love and blessings 💕

Marianne Marchesi GAICD

Founder & Managing Principal of Legalite | Leading Business & Franchising Lawyer | Author of One Day Soon

3mo

I totally resonate with this Emmaline. During my second pregnancy I was told I was “so much bigger this time”. Pregnancy seems to invite commentary on our bodies which really is mind blowing. And more importantly, congratulations on your second pregnancy! ❤️

Dr. Lillian Nejad

Clinical Psychologist, Author & Founder of Contain Your Brain

3mo

❤️

Mariah Loriente

2023 MBN Entrepreneur Award Winner | Helping Businesses Culturally Flourish | People Power | Employment Lawyer | Human Resources

3mo

It should never be about body image. The only important thing is the new and exciting chapter you’re about to embark on. You are incredible and I have no doubt that you will be an amazing mum of two! ❤️✨

Marlo Walker Grover

Brand Builder | Social Media Strategist

3mo

Oh what a powerful message. Disappointing you have to spell it out at all, but hopefully it gets through to a few more people. It's never ok to comment on someone's body - so why then do pregnant women become 'open to the floor'?

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