Emily Seebohm: I felt rushed into motherhood by society
Emily Seebohm felt pressure to have kids young. She struggled with how her body changed after pregnancy and motherhood.
The retired Olympic swimmer welcomed her son Sampson in September 2023. Seebohm spent about three years unhappy with her body.
After a career of controlling her body as an athlete, losing that control felt terrifying. Seebohm pushed herself to get back her pre-pregnancy Olympic body.
When breastfeeding did not help her lose weight, it felt like she had failed. She avoided maternity photos and celebrations of her pregnancy.
Her doctor suggested she have more children before turning 35. That pressure, combined with her body struggles, has made her hesitant about having more children.
- September 2023
- Son born
- About three years
- Time to accept postpartum body
- Three
- Olympic gold medals
- 35 in June
- Seebohm's age milestone
Why it mattersHer story shows the pressure on women to have children early and recover fast. It often leaves mothers struggling with body image.
AustraliaSeebohm's experience reflects a common challenge for Australian women, particularly high-achieving athletes, who face pressure to balance career, motherhood and societal expectations around fertility timing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
