Ming Bridges Reminds Us About The Harsh Reality Of Pregnancy Weight Gain

All mummies will be familiar with how carrying a baby dramatically changes (ruins) the body. From pregnancy weight gain and stretch marks to bloated feet and incontinence, the list goes on and on. What takes the challenge to a whole other level is the unsolicited comments that pregnant mummies receive, particularly about the kilos they've put on in the midst of growing a healthy foetus.

Ming Bridges got real about the harshness of pregnancy weight gain in a recent Instagram post. The mummy-to-be recounted how a single "fat face" comment set off a whirlwind of insecurities about her body and weight. The British-Singaporean personality shares in the post, "Thoughts around my body and weight had started to rear its ugly head. Even with my history of eating disorders and body dysmorphia, I never once thought I would struggle with my appearance changing when pregnant."

“I’m growing a baby for goodness sake! Of course I’m going to get bigger” I’d think to myself. But then came the swelling. The veins. The bloating. The cellulite. Nothing Fitting. FEELING sh**," she continues in the post. 

She goes on to mention something that most women anguish over but can't even bear to say it out loud. "The comparisons - hearing people gained like 8 kilos during pregnancy and you’re already almost double that with months to go."

Ming's supporters up in arms

Unsurprisingly, Ming's friends and fans alike responded with empathy, anger and loads of sass.

Digital influencer Nellie Lim retorts, "Tell ppl you're growing literal eyeballs rn!!"

Host and presenter Kelly Latimer candidly writes, "I gained 20[kg] with Sienna and 15[kg] with Luca. The water retention was the worst, and I felt far from a glam preggo."

And many were simply appreciative that a celeb could be this vulnerable online. Atravelstorey comments, "I am also comparing myself to tiny pregnant women and upset I don't look like that. Your post helps me feel normal."

Be kind to others and yourself

That's some real talk right there. If you have expectant friends right now, remember to be gentle with your comments. In fact, rather than bringing up comments about looks, you can steer the conversation in a more supportive direction. "How are you feeling today? Is the baby treating you well?" or "Is your nursery set up? Want to go shopping together?" are some great lead-ins to consider.

And if you are currently in the throes of pregnancy and not feeling your best, Ming has some great parting advice: "Watching your body change to accommodate a growing baby is wild. Now I’m trying to learn from my own words and not take myself so seriously.  I’m going to bloat and swell and get huge and puffy and veiny and tired and feel sweaty and gross and its all part of the beautiful process and thats ok. And some days I feel like a gorgeous fertility goddess and some days like a piece of poo and thats fine."