Social Media, Celebrities, Comparison in Reality, and Postpartum Care Centers: The Body Image of Pregnant and Postpartum Women in China

Abstract

[Objective] This study is a qualitative research focusing on the body image of pregnant and postpartum women in China from the perspectives of individuals, impact of social media (especially celebrities' posts), and the marketization of the traditional practice of doing-the-month.

[Methods] First, using semi-structured interviews regarding body image of pregnant/postpartum females, the influences of social media and celebrities, as well as postpartum care centers, data was collected from a dyad of two individuals, and a single participant. One participant in the dyad was pregnant, while other two involved participants were in their postpartum period. Subsequently, thematic analysis was used to investigate the data collected and the translated textual materials in two semi-structured interviews.

[Results] In this study, the concept of “body” was categorized into 3 levels including individual, social, and organizational, using 3 corresponding main themes namely “The Internalized Body of Individuals”, “The Presence of ‘Others’ on The Body”, and “The Organizational Practice of Zuoyuezi on The Body".

[Conclusions] Unlike traditional views, moms-to-be and new moms show more agency in reclaiming the body. Moreover, pregnant and postpartum females are more influenced by the body image of people they know in reality than that of celebrities.