Are You Letting Outdated Body Standards Sabotage Your Fertility Journey?

Ever been excluded from something major because you didn’t fit someone else’s idea of ‘ideal’? Probably not as dramatically as being booted from a wedding for, wait for it—being too gloriously pregnant. But that’s exactly what went down in a jaw-dropping story that recently set the internet ablaze.

So, here’s the tea: A pregnant maid of honor was axed from her friend’s wedding because she ‘gained too much weight’—and then billed the bride for her trouble. Yes, you read that right. Pause. Let that sink in, and try not to spill your coffee in disbelief.

It’s 2025, and yet, society’s obsession with policing pregnant bodies is alive and well—sneaking into wedding parties, popping up in fertility forums, and, let’s be honest, sometimes throwing shade while we’re just trying to buy prenatal vitamins in peace. But here’s the million-dollar question: Are we letting these outdated body standards sneak into our own fertility journeys?

The Pressure Is Real (And Uninvited)

Here’s what no one puts on those glossy Instagram pregnancy announcements: behind every dreamy ultrasound snap, there’s an avalanche of unsolicited commentary and outdated ‘advice’ on what your body should look like at every stage of TTC and pregnancy. (FYI: The right answer is “however it looks while you’re doing your best.”)

So if a maid of honor gets fat-shamed out of a wedding for growing life, how many of us are quietly internalizing the message that our bodies must be “just so” in order to belong—or, worse, to be “successful” at conception?

Fertility Isn’t a Beauty Contest

Let’s get real: Conceiving is not an Olympic sport for who can stay closest to their pre-baby jeans. Bodies are weird, wonderful, and deeply personal—especially when you’re on a fertility journey.

Home insemination brings its own set of vulnerable moments. Some of us have sensitivities (hello, vaginismus), concerns about sperm motility, or just want to avoid the emotional minefield of a clinical setting. That doesn’t make you less-than. And it sure as heck doesn’t make your body anyone’s business but your own.

That’s why companies like MakeAMom’s resourceful, inclusive approach is so refreshing. Whether you need a kit tailored for frozen sperm, low motility, or sensitive bodies, their goal isn’t for you to look a certain way—it’s for you to be empowered and take charge of your journey. (And, a not-so-humble brag: Their reusable kits don’t just save the planet, they respect your privacy too. Grey boxes, no labels, zero drama. We stan.)

Open Loop: Is Self-Doubt the Real Saboteur?

Maybe you’re not starring in viral wedding drama, but ask yourself: Are you second-guessing your choices because of what family, friends, or random internet trolls might say? Are you waiting to “lose the last 10 pounds” before trying, or feeling like you need to look the part before you even begin?

Here’s a wild idea: Kick those inner critics out of your inner circle—the same way our pregnant heroine should’ve been celebrated, not sidelined.

You’re Not Alone—And Your Body Is Enough

In the age of TikTok trends and Pinterest-perfect pregnancy boards, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind or “not enough.” But guess what? Community forums are full of folks just like you—quirky, imperfect, and resilient—swapping stories about missed cycles, creative insemination hacks, and yes, the occasional bridezilla disaster.

Why not connect with people who get it? (Quick tip: Our community page has a treasure trove of support if you need a pep talk or just a meme about ovulation tests gone rogue.)

The Bottom Line: Your Journey, Your Rules

So, back to that wedding drama: The real shocker isn’t that body shame still happens—it’s how powerful we can be when we reject it. Whether you’re TTC alone, with a partner, or in a constellation of support networks, the only invitation that matters is the one you give yourself to take up space, as you are, right now.

Let’s flip the script: Instead of hiding, let’s share our stories of empowerment, resilience, and creative problem-solving. Let’s support people who are cut from the wedding guest list but destined for far greater milestones (like making a family on their own terms!).

How has societal pressure tried to gatecrash your fertility journey, and how did you handle it? Drop your story (or a meme) in the comments below and let’s toast to taking our power back, one reusable kit—and one bold step—at a time.