Moms Are Up In Arms After This Postpartum Ad Got Rejected By Oscars

Any mom knows about those less-than-ideal first few days and weeks after giving birth: It’s hard to do anything (even pee) without pain, you’re essentially wearing adult diapers, plus, with a new crying baby added to the mix, you’re not getting any sleep on top of it. It’s not exactly glamorous.

The thing is, no one really talks about these tough times. You may have heard a few things here and there from friends, but the media surely doesn’t portray new motherhood like this. Instead, we see unrealistic perfectly clean homes and a well-behaved newborn who sleeps soundly through the night.

Well, that was until Frida Mom, a brand that sells postpartum recovery products, created the first realistic ad depicting just what those first few days are like after giving birth. The ad shows a woman donning mesh underwear, waddling to the bathroom in pain, using a peri bottle and changing her pad.

Frida Mom’s media agency submitted the ad to ABC to air during the Oscars, but it was rejected. Why? According to Frida Mom, they received an email saying the ad was “too graphic with partial nudity and product demonstration.”

“Advertisement of the following is not permitted: Political candidates/positions, religious or faith-based message/position, guns, gun shows, ammunition, feminine hygiene products, adult diapers, condoms or hemorrhoid remedies,” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences guidelines state.

Moms everywhere were absolutely appalled by the rejection of the ad. After watching it, new moms agree that the ad did nothing but make them teary-eyed and nod along in agreement about how realistic and true it was. Plus, it helped expecting moms to see just the reality they were in for, which could help them prepare. Finally, an ad that REALLY depicted new motherhood—and it wasn’t even allowed to run.

You can decide for yourself. Watch the ad below.

What did you think of this ad? Do you agree or disagree with ABC’s decision to reject it?