{"id":43119,"date":"2025-08-04T15:36:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T15:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/43119\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T15:36:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T15:36:17","slug":"seven-afl-commentator-abbey-holmes-responds-to-backlash-following-return-to-work-announcement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/43119\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven AFL commentator Abbey Holmes responds to backlash following return-to-work announcement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much-loved AFL<\/a> commentator Abbey Holmes has responded to the online backlash she received after announcing she would be returning to work seven weeks after giving birth.<\/p>\n

Holmes, 34, and her husband, Keegan Brooksby, welcomed their son Brax into the world on June 6<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The ex-AFLW star announced she would be returning to Seven\u2019s AFL coverage<\/a> on July 25, working just two days a week while she navigated being a new mum.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

Holmes\u2019 news stirred public opinion, with some online trolls calling her selfish for coming back to work so soon after her son was born.<\/p>\n

Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS.com.au, Holmes said her decision to come back was largely due to how well Brax was doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that if he didn\u2019t 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Holmes said while most of the comments she received were supportive, a small minority of people felt they had the right to tell her how she should be juggling motherhood and a career.<\/p>\n

She said she loves her job and being busy and that there was no reason why the goals of starting a family and chasing a career couldn\u2019t be achieved at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think my work for me, it\u2019s so important. I genuinely love what I do. It doesn\u2019t feel like work in any way shape or form,\u201d Holmes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HolmesHolmes and her husband,\u00a0Keegan Brooksby, welcomed their son, Brax, into the world on June 6. Credit: Instagram <\/p>\n

Holmes said one of the comments that annoyed her the most related to her husband Keegan, who Holmes refers to as a \u201csuper dad\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Someone said) \u2018oh dad\u2019s on babysitting duty\u2019. I\u2019m sorry, but dads don\u2019t babysit their own children, they\u2019re 50 per cent of the parenting duo,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one thing that really gets to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holmes\u2019 obstetrician, Dr Scott Shemer, told 7NEWS.com.au there was no recommended time frame for when a woman should return to work, and that postpartum care was completely individualised.<\/p>\n

He said the two most important factors guiding a mother\u2019s decision should be how she\u2019s recovering both physically and emotionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone has a very different physical recovery,\u201d Shemer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey can differ between a vaginal birth and a cesarean section. If you\u2019ve had a vaginal birth, have you had a tear? Have you had any issues with your bladder afterwards?<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s 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\u2019ve got around you.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people say, \u2018I\u2019m not ready to put my child in childcare\u2019, but they\u2019ve got grandparents or a partner who can take extended leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HolmesHolmes returned back to work with Seven in late July. Credit: Instagram<\/p>\n

Holmes said she had a relatively \u201ctextbook\u201d pregnancy.<\/p>\n

After only finding out she was pregnant at 12 weeks and missing the entire first trimester, she felt mostly normal and energised during the remainder of her pregnancy, working right up until Brax was born.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbbey obviously was keen to get back in some capacity quite soon,\u201d Shemer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut given that her recovery had been so excellent, I don\u2019t have an issue with that at all. And I always support what a patient wants to do as long as it feels, you know, safe to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holmes said she was happy with her decision and that she has mostly received support from other women and mothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had so many people message me saying, you\u2019re such an inspiration,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody\u2019s situation and circumstances are different and I think that (having) a career and wanting a family and having children, they can certainly coexist. I\u2019m certainly kind of living that at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AbbeyAbbey Holmes, Keegan Brooksby and their son, Brax. Credit: Instagram <\/p>\n

As well as jumping back into her role on Seven, Holmes is also returning to her event hosting duties, this time acting as the face of skincare company QV\u2019s upcoming Care Awards.<\/p>\n

In celebration of their 50th birthday, QV will recognise Australians whose caring acts have made a lasting impact on either an individual, community or a cause.<\/p>\n

The award ceremony will be held in Melbourne on August 13 with Australian tennis champion Jelena Dokic leading the judging panel.<\/p>\n

\u201cQV was created to care for all Australians and for 50 years, we\u2019ve been doing just that. But now, we want to recognise the people who make caring their way of life,\u201d Ego Pharmaceuticals chief executive Alan Oppenheim said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re honoured to partner with Jelena and Abbey \u2013 two inspiring women who represent resilience, compassion and strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe QV Care Awards is about recognising the everyday heroes among us whose stories also deserve to be seen and shared\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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