By Vanessa Cort

THERE was a time when pregnant women were embarrassed by their swelling bellies, when they waited with impatience for their figures to return, when some said they felt ugly. Now, in more enlightened times, women are becoming less concerned about being out of shape and prouder of their rounded ‘middes’.
Calling it ‘bump proud’, women are painting, photographing and generally showing off their pregnancy and their changing shape. Superstar singer and fashion icon, Rihanna, wore cropped tops and clothing designed to reveal rather than hide the ‘baby bump’ and many more women have been following her lead.
Photographic studios are now offering photoshoots with both parents. And male partners are encouraged to strike poses where they embrace the rounded stomach, showing their connection to both the mother and unborn child. The ‘shoot’ is seen as a way of documenting the journey to motherhood and is shared with friends and family. Many now post pictures on social media with hashtags such as #bumpproud and #momlife.
A growing number of pregnant women see the display of their bellies as a form of empowerment, contributing to body positivity and allowing them to feel ‘comfortable in their own skin’. The feminist movement also encourages a woman’s pride in her growing belly, hailing it as a welcome shift from the belief that only curvaceous bodies are beautiful.
However, pregnancy is a time when a myriad other changes are taking place in a woman’s body, and not all women ‘sail’ happily through the experience. Hormonal changes can cause mood swings, depression, listlessness and a general feeling of discomfort that may remain until childbirth.
While some women may experience ‘morning sickness’ only in the early months, some may ‘throw-up’ throughout the pregnancy. Some get cravings, are upset by certain odours, cannot eat foods they may have previously enjoyed and suffer from swollen feet. In extreme cases, some pregnant women experience acute loss of appetite, or their bodies reject food altogether and doctors have to try a variety of strategies to ensure they receive enough nourishment.
And those are just some of the array of physical and psychological symptoms that pregnant women experience. It can often feel like a rollercoaster, with changes occurring in quick succession and without warning. I have even heard women claim that they wanted no interaction with their partner during pregnancy. One woman said to me, “When I’m pregnant, I don’t want nothing fuh do wid he”.
But, pregnancy also offers a unique opportunity for women to connect with their bodies, understanding that all of these changes are preparing them for what Crown Midwifery in the US calls,” ..the most important job your body will ever have: nurturing your little one”.
Retaining a positive mindset is therefore of the utmost importance, as experts say that this can also affect the foetus in a good way. Some women talk or sing to their unborn child while others play music, all in an attempt to create a positive bond.
Embracing the pregnancy in this way and being proud of their growing bellies also helps women combat the pressure to ‘snap back’ to their pre-pregnancy shape. They are now breaking the taboo which urges concealment of the ‘baby bump’ and viewing it as a symbol of power, representing a profound connection to their unborn child.
As actress Tori Spelling said, “I’m super proud of my bump. Why should I be embarrassed and cover up something that’s the greatest gift a woman can experience.”
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.