Footy presenter Abbey Holmes has slammed online trolls who criticised her decision to return to work seven weeks after giving birth to her first child.
Holmes, 34, and her husband, former Hawthorn and Gold Coast player Keegan Brooksby, welcomed their first baby, Brax, on June 6.
The Channel Seven presenter confirmed to fans that she’d be returning to work on July 25, in time for Essendon’s Round 20 clash against the Western Bulldogs.
Holmes took to Instagram to post a video of Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson, captioning the post ‘OK guys, we’re baaaaack.’
The footy presenter has been working two days a week as she enjoys her life as a new mum, and revealed that her decision to return to footy was based on how well Brax was doing.
‘I think that if he didn’t take a bottle or was really unsettled and only slept on me, or whatever it might have been, then I certainly would have been hamstrung and certainly not come back seven weeks after having him,’ she told Seven.
Footy presenter Abbey Holmes (pictured) has clapped back at online trolls who criticised her for returning to work seven weeks after giving birth to her first baby
Holmes, 34, and her husband, former Hawthorn and Gold Coast player Keegan Brooksby, welcomed their first baby, Brax, on June 6
She returned to TV duties with Channel Seven for their coverage of Essendon’s recent defeat by the Western Bulldogs
While many had issued their congratulations and well wishes to Holmes after she revealed she was returning to work, some comments branded her ‘selfish’.
One commenter wrote, ‘Seven weeks. How about look after the tiny bundle of joy and watch them grow.’
Another added, ‘In child care at our expense no doubt.’
In response, the 34-year-old, who won an AFLW premiership with the Crows in 2017, bit back at the comments, explaining why she was so keen to get in front of the camera again.
‘I think my work for me, it’s so important. I genuinely love what I do. It doesn’t feel like work in any way shape or form,’ Holmes said.
‘There’s certainly a small minority of people out there that feel that they have the right to tell you what you should be doing and how things are to be done, which is never the case.’
She also blasted those who had criticised her husband, Keegan, who she dubbed a ‘super dad’.
‘[Someone said:] ‘Oh dad’s on babysitting duty’. I’m sorry, but dads don’t babysit their own children, they’re 50 per cent of the parenting duo,’ she said.
‘That’s one thing that really gets to me.’
Holmes also appeared at the Logie Awards on Sunday night and looked radiant, as she took to the red carpet wearing a sparkling grey gown.
Holmes also looked radiant as she took to the red carpet, wearing a shimmering grey dress for the Logie Awards on Sunday
She claimed that while she received some negative comments, many had got in contact to praise her as an ‘inspiration’
She had worked right up until Brax was born, with many lauding the presenter and congratulating her on the birth of her baby boy.
‘I’ve had so many people message me saying, you’re such an inspiration,’ she added.
‘Everybody’s situation and circumstances are different and I think that (having) a career and wanting a family and having children, they can certainly coexist. I’m certainly kind of living that at the moment.’
Holmes was drafted to the Crows in the 2016 draft and played for the footy club for two years as a forward, notably winning the AFLW premiership in 2017 with the club.
The much-loved sports presenter began working as a commentator for Seven since 2018 and had previously also worked as a boundary rider for the network.
‘I’ve missed the team, the buzz, and being part of the action. I’m ready to hit the ground running next Friday night at Marvel Stadium and can’t wait for little Brax to see his mumma in action,’ she said, upon announcing that she’d be returning to our screens.
‘It’s been such a special time at home with Braxton and Keegan and I feel so lucky to be able to go back to a job that I love and come home to our family.’
Holmes’ obstetrician Dr Scott Shemer, also told Seven News that each person is different and that there is no set time frame on when someone can return to work after giving birth.
‘Everyone has a very different physical recovery,’ Shemer said.
Holmes said that having a career, family and other commitments can all coexist
‘They can differ between a vaginal birth and a cesarean section. If you’ve had a vaginal birth, have you had a tear … have you had any issues with your bladder afterwards?
‘Then there’s also the emotional side of things. So, you know, some women find it difficult leaving their newborn and again, it depends on what sort of support network you’ve got around you.
‘A lot of people say, ‘I’m not ready to put my child in childcare, but they’ve got grandparents or a partner who can take extended leave.’
