It’s tough enough being pregnant without having to worry about the paparazzi ridiculing your every pound. That’s how reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian feels in the final months of her second pregnancy with husband Kanye West.
Kardashian told C Magazine that she has stopped smiling for the paparazzi when she’s out and about because it remains in the back of her mind that these are the same people who made fun of her weight gain during her first pregnancy. As it turns out, the reason she gained so much weight was preeclampsia.
I couldn’t help it, and everyone would say, “She can’t stop eating.” I delivered at 180, and they were like, “She’s 210 pounds. She’s getting dumped because she’s too fat” and all these ridiculous stories. It really took a toll after the fact, when I was losing weight. I gained 50 pounds, and it’s tough to get it off. I was dedicated, but also, it changed the way I viewed wanting my picture taken. — Kardashian to C Magazine
Obviously Kardashian’s experience of being in the spotlight is unique to her celebrity, but many women struggle with feeling self-conscious during pregnancy. Some pregnant women seem built for pregnancy, exuding a palpable self-confidence from start to finish while other women grow increasingly uncomfortable along with their growing bellies, not recognizing the woman they see in the mirror.
Kardashian’s preeclampsia was the reason for her excess weight gain, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for the paparazzi’s disrespect.
After I had the baby, I was like, these are the same people that made fun of me, and posted the stories that were so awful, calling me fat for something I couldn’t control. I don’t want to smile for them. I don’t want to be out. Even if I was more confident, I just didn’t feel like being that girl who was going to be smiling for every photo. It changed my mood; it changed who I was; it changed my personality a lot.
While many pregnant women can’t relate to Kardashian’s celebrity, they can relate to feelings of self-consciousness.
Those women should take note of these six tips from Health and Parenting:
- Weight gain during pregnancy is normal and expected. For some, it is difficult to see the number on the scale go up, but it’s necessary for a healthy baby.
- Weight gain doesn’t mean you are overweight. Excess weight is made up of the placenta and extra blood. Even extra fat should be looked at differently since breastfeeding women will need fat stores for milk.
- Pregnant bodies are beautiful. While it is difficult to adjust to the physical changes that take place during pregnancy, it is beautiful to create another human being, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.
- It’s only temporary. The weight will come off, even though your face, belly, and breasts will get larger over the course of your pregnancy. Eventually, you will feel like your old self again.
- Track your numbers. Make sure you are within the healthy range for weight gain so you don’t go over (or under) the recommended weight gain.
- You are nearing the finish line. Pregnancy makes up the better part of a year and you will feel like you’ll never get to the end. But guess what? When you do, there will be a beautiful newborn baby waiting for you.
If you are pregnant, how do you feel about your growing belly and changing body?
