Tag: motherhood

The Obsession Over the “Perfect” Pregnancy

by No Rules Cornell, posted in Uncategorized

by Valentina Loaiza //

Earlier last month, I encountered a video of ¡Despierta América! host, Francisca Lachapel, responding to criticisms about her pregnancy. In a ten-minute video posted on her Instagram as an “IGTV,” teary-eyed Lachapel expressed her frustration and sadness after constantly seeing negative comments and messages about changes to her weight and

Lachapel has made it very clear that pregnancy has been the most beautiful phase of her life and acknowledges the existence of the “perfect” pregnancy label, a label she feels she’s far from.fashion style. 

It’s a no-brainer that these aspects of her image have been impacted by her pregnancy, which she goes into further detail about in her video. Nonetheless, viewers and acquaintances have taken it upon themselves to claim that pregnancy doesn’t suit her because she’s “gained weight” and “dresses like an old lady.” She explained that her dressing style has changed, adapting to her changing body and making an effort to feel as comfortable as possible. Despite the insensitive comments, Lachapel has made it very clear that pregnancy has been the most beautiful phase of her life and acknowledges the existence of the “perfect” pregnancy label, a label she feels she’s far from. “Every woman carries their child differently” and with that, Lachapel reassures the public that she feels beautiful and wouldn’t change anything about her pregnancy. 

With the pressure put forth on body image by the Spanish-speaking media, and the media in general, Lachapel is only one of many women publicly scrutinized during, or as a result of pregnancy. Alejandra Espinoza, another host on Univision, shared with Lachapel on an Instagram live that she had also been cyberbullied after giving birth to her first child. Espinoza’s experience was different in many ways. In 2015, Espinoza gave birth to her first child after going through three miscarriages in the past. Viewers have been accompanying Espinoza since 2007 after her coronation in Univision’s beauty pageant, Nuestra Belleza Latina. She shared her pregnancy with the public from beginning to end, but her newborn fell victim to many criticisms because of his appearance. Showering a new mother with harsh comments about her newborn is outright despicable.

It’s about time we all recognize that pregnancies are unique to each person. The harsh criticism towards pregnant public figures is uncalled for, insensitive, and illogical. For example, when I Google, “What to wear during pregnancy?” there are extensive results encouraging women to wear comfortable clothes including, maxi dresses, loose shirts, gowns, tunics, and wraparounds. Of course, for television hosts like Lachapel, maintaining an “attractive” physical appearance is an essential part of their jobs. I just hope that pregnant bodies continue to be empowered and addressed as something natural rather than something that needs to be scrutinized. 

What the Fuck’s a FUPA?

by No Rules Cornell, posted in Health & Wellness, Opinion, Pop Culture

by Isa Meyers //

The term FUPA became popularized back in 2018 when Beyoncé’s fourth Vogue cover spread and story were published. The interview focused on her recent pregnancy from 2017 after she gave birth to her third child. In her interview, she begins to discuss her body postpartum. She said: “To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller. I have a little mommy pouch, and I’m in no rush to get rid of it. I think it’s real. Whenever I’m ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my ass off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.” Beyoncé is no stranger to empowerment; this sentiment of coming to terms with your own body is not new. But what this interview does not elaborate on is what exactly is a FUPA.

Beyoncé, in this one sentence, draws attention to an occurrence that even celebrities are incapable of avoiding: pregnancy changes your body.

FUPA, ie. fat upper pussy (or pubic) area is pretty self-explanatory: it refers to the layer of fat right above a woman’s pubic area. It is medically known as a panniculus. Fat in this area is very common for women, especially women who have had children. The fat serves as a protective layer and is often inevitable after having given birth or gaining weight in general. 

Beyoncé, in this one sentence, draws attention to an occurrence that even celebrities are incapable of avoiding: pregnancy changes your body. And this isn’t something to be ashamed of, as she states in her interview. And even if your FUPA is not a result of pregnancy (which is also incredibly common), it’s normal. 

The FUPA has been discussed on social media as well. While this Tweet (below) has since been debunked for its inaccuracy regarding anatomy and where the uterus is actually positioned in the body (it’s tucked behind the pelvis, not in front), the sentiment it contains is correct in pointing out that there is a general lack of information regarding female reproductive organs and how the body naturally stores fat. Further, it highlights that the problem is not just misinformation, but also beauty standards that require a flat abdomen, and often exclude postpartum bodies in their definition of beautiful. The person who wrote this Tweet mentions that she “almost killed” herself trying to obtain this standard of a flat, toned stomach. Body standards, social media, and diet culture have created a society that privileges skinny women: women without FUPAs. 

Male bodies also come with beauty standards, but these standards pale in comparison to the physical and emotional labor that women are expected to put into their appearance and especially into managing their weight postpartum.

Further, the coining of the term FUPA itself is gendered and reflects how the media treats women’s bodies—especially versus men’s. For example, women are expected to and praised for losing their pregnancy weight, and frequently complimented for getting their figure back. Yet when men gain weight due to aging, as well as becoming a parent, they are not considered less physically attractive. For example, in 2019 when photos of Nick Jonas showed that he had gained some weight, media outlets praised him for achieving an attractive “dad bod.” Buzzfeed writer Ryan Schocket’s article was even titled “Nick Jonas Is Currently Thicc And He Is Now My Father.” 

Male bodies also come with beauty standards, but these standards pale in comparison to the physical and emotional labor that women are expected to put into their appearance and especially into managing their weight postpartum. The female body is constantly a spectacle, even after something as intimate as childbirth. 

It’s about time we eliminate the stigma of postpartum bodies and having a FUPA. And this can only happen if we take the time to learn about our bodies and challenge how fat is weaponized in the media.