65. Stronger Than You Think: The Sturdy Science of Pregnancy & Postpartum Body Image

Pregnancy and postpartum body image are often framed through loss and “bounce-back” pressure — but the research tells a different story. In this episode of Sturdy Girl, Jess takes you inside the science and lived experience of pregnancy, weaving in surprising findings about body image, mental health, strength training, and the incredible physiological adaptations that prove just how sturdy our bodies really are.

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just navigating a changing body in another season of life, this conversation is for you.

Resources & Research Mentioned:

• da Silva et al. (2023): Systematic review of interventions for body image in pregnancy/postpartum
  
  
• Ponzio et al. (2022): Multidimensional changes in body image across pregnancy
  
  
• Floris et al. (2023): Prepartum body image disturbance predicting postpartum disturbance, mediated by emotional regulation
  
  
• Da Costa et al. (2020): Positive maternity attitudes as protective against prenatal depression
  
  
• ACOG guidelines on physical activity in pregnancy: Exercise and pregnancy outcomes
  
  
• Dahlen et al. (2018): Running during pregnancy and birth outcomes
  
  
• Salvatore et al. (2025): Instagram exposure and postpartum body satisfaction
• Sturdy Girl episode on 'bounceback culture'
• Sturdy Girl episode on body image and postpartum
  
  

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Stay Sturdy, friends.