Dangerous trend: How Gen Z's are using abortion for body image goals

A pregnant woman holding her belly. (Courtesy/iStock) Nelly, a 24-year-old university student, found herself unexpectedly pregnant six months ago. Initially uncertain about keeping the baby, she noticed physical changes that caught her attention. "I started realizing I was gaining weight," Nelly recalls. "My breasts were growing, and I even started producing milk." These bodily changes, typically celebrated aspects of pregnancy, became the focal point for Nelly. She delayed her decision to terminate the pregnancy, allowing her body to continue developing. It wasn't until she entered her fourth month that she decided to have an abortion. "I liked being pregnant for that period because it made me gain weight," Nelly said. She reveled in the attention her new figure garnered, attributing her transformation to "eating well" when asked. Nelly's story is not unique. Social media platforms like X and TikTok are rife with young women sharing similar experiences. Some users openly admit to becoming pregnant with the intention of aborting to maintain their "pregnancy glow" or achieve desired body changes. Linda, a petite college student, recalls the first time she encountered this trend. "While I was on campus, my dorm mates advised me to get pregnant and later abort as a means of gaining weight. They made it sound so easy, but something inside me felt wrong," she said. Linda didn't go through with it, but she admits feeling guilty for even considering it. Scrolling through X, formerly known as Twitter, I stumbled upon a disturbing tweet. It read: "Girls are becoming pregnant and aborting just to gain weight." This remark was from a Nigerian user, and as I continued scrolling, I was both appalled and intrigued by the ongoing conversation. Some users admitted to having done it, while others condemned the practice, suggesting alternatives such as taking pills and eating more. Later, I switched to TikTok, where the same conversation continued-young women flaunting their pregnancies with captions like, "Can't wait for my pregnancy to reach 5 months so that I can abort and maintain my pregnancy glow." This alarming trend is tied to societal pressures and body image ideals. Many young women today feel the need to conform to a "curvy" standard-big breasts, wide hips, and a fuller figure-which they believe is more attractive to men. Rather than pursuing healthier methods like diet and exercise, some turn to pregnancy and abortion as a quicker fix. Healthcare professionals are deeply concerned about this practice. Multiple abortions, especially in a short span of time, can have severe health consequences. Dr Dennis Miskellah, a Nairobi-based gynecologist, expresses deep concern over this trend. "The idea of getting pregnant for certain body changes is a tragic development," he says. "In this era of misinformation, young people are exposed to health trends that don't make sense and can be extremely dangerous." He explains that during pregnancy, hormonal changes, particularly increases in estrogen and progesterone, contribute to breast enlargement, hip widening, and overall weight gain. The skin often becomes softer and more radiant - the source of the coveted "pregnancy glow." However, he emphasises that these changes are temporary. "The moment you terminate the pregnancy, the body resets to its initial state," he explains. "Sometimes, it can even end up worse than before."The practice of using pregnancy and abortion as a means of body modification carries severe health risks, the doctor says "Excessive bleeding, potentially leading to death or kidney failure, infections causing septicemia, blood clots and stroke, mental health issues, including depression and anxiety and increased risk of infertility. Globally, the issue of abortion is complex. In some countries, abortion is legal and accessible, while in others, it is heavily restricted or outright banned. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO) approximately 73 million abortions take place each year worldwide, with nearly half of them considered unsafe due to poor medical practices or occurring in countries where abortion is illegal. In Kenya abortion remains a complex and controversial issue. The country's outdated 1963 penal code, rooted in colonial-era legislation, generally outlaws abortion, criminalising the woman, the person performing the abortion, and anyone supplying materials for the procedure. However, the 2010 Constitution provides exceptions. The Sexual Offences Act allows women and girls who have fallen pregnant as a result of rape to have abortions. Abortion is permitted when "the life or health of the mother is in danger" or when the pregnancy results from rape or incest. Despite these provisions, many young women seeking abortions for cosmetic reasons resort to unsafe, clandestine procedures. Dr Miskellah warns about the long-term consequences. "Repeated termination of pregnancies puts immense strain on the uterus and can lead to future complications, including infertility, infections, and even increased risk of cervical cancer," he says. Studies have shown that Gen Z is more open to discussing topics like abortion and reproductive rights compared to previous generations. However, this openness doesn't always translate to responsible behaviour. The practice of using pregnancy as a means of weight gain reflects a disturbing trend among younger women who prioritise physical appearance over their well-being. This behavior contrasts sharply with previous generations, where abortions were typically carried out due to unintended pregnancies, health risks, or socioeconomic reasons. The baby boomers and Gen X, for instance, often sought abortions because of lack of access to contraception or to avoid the societal stigma of being unwed mothers. Midwife Nereah Ojanga notes the shift in body ideals: "I rarely see the tiny girls we had in the 80's and 90's." While specific data on abortions for weight gain are not available, general abortion statistics in Kenya are concerning. According to the Guttmacher Institute, nearly half of all pregnancies in Kenya are unintended, and about 41 per cent of unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Many of these abortions are performed in unsafe conditions, contributing to Kenya's high maternal mortality rate. Health studies have consistently shown that pregnancy causes significant body changes. Weight gain typically ranges from 11 to 16 kilograms. However, these changes are generally temporary. After pregnancy or abortion, the body usually returns to its pre-pregnancy state within 6-12 months, though some women may retain some weight gain. The trend of pregnancy for weight gain is part of a larger pattern of harmful health trends propagated through social media. According to Agolla Aloo, founder of Madini Youth Foundation, in recent years, the proliferation of social media platforms has led to concerning trends among Generation Z, particularly on Instagram and TikTok. "There's an increasing focus on making money through any means necessary. This has given rise to the "sponsor effect," where young individuals, especially girls, engage in relationships with multiple partners for financial benefits. This trend not only normalises such behaviour but also exposes vulnerable youth to potential predators and grooming," she says. Online ridicule and body shaming have become rampant, often leading to viral videos that significantly impact individuals' self-esteem. This pushes many young people to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Addressing this alarming trend requires a multi-faceted approach Aloo emphasises the need for educating young people about the responsible use of social media and the potential consequences of harmful trends. She advocates for proper counseling to accompany access to reproductive medications and a more responsible approach to sharing information on these platforms. "Young women need accurate information about the risks of multiple abortions and healthier ways to achieve body satisfaction," Aloo says. Teaching young people to critically evaluate information on social media can help combat the spread of harmful trends and body positivity campaigns.

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