Showcasing a baby bump...

[FunTimes2020]

...to use the words of the press. AIBU to think that no-one wants to see the naked abdomen with protruding belly button of a heavily pregnant z lister? Helen Flanagan is the latest

Maybe we can just leave women alone. Worry about what your own stomach is doing and let her get on with hers

Oh right documenting "the post partum journey" is a thing now? So glad I don't have Instagram

I’m sure the bump photos go alongside some promotional shite they get paid for. Same with the post-partum ‘journey’.

I must admit the hospital bag list is quite entertaining. I'm reading it and thinking You wait love, you are so not going to be applying bronzer in labour.

It's her third baby, pretty sure she doesn't need your condescending advice.

@SmileyClare

Aha the midwife told him off about the "deflated balloon" comment. It was literally minutes after our son was delivered. I found it quite funny but I was on pethidene at the time.

I must admit the hospital bag list is quite entertaining. I'm reading it and thinking You wait love, you are so not going to be applying bronzer in labour.

She does have two kids already so I presume she knows what she’s in for with labour, I’m guessing she’s been paid to promote those make up products. Just a shame she’s promoted them as post birth essentials rather than just as nice make and a separate list of actual post birth essentials. If women want to take their make up because they like wearing it and it makes them feel good, great- but I don’t think they need a list of new make up products to buy especially for their hospital bag, they know what make up the like and where to buy it etc. Whereas stuff like nipple cream, breast pads, disposable underwear, spritz for bits- is all stuff you probably haven’t had to buy for and could actually do with some tips and recommendations on, likewise info like how many baby grows to take etc.

@SmileyClare I found it quite helpful when I had my daughter actually. Was quite reassuring to know that other people, even celebrities, were going through what I was and I wasn't completely hideous which is how I felt.

Kate Ferdinand (Rio's wife) was particularly relatable recently, especially when touching upon her mental health after having their son.

It's nothing to be sneery about. Damned if they do, damned if they don't it would seem.

@SmileyClare

It would be quite refreshing if the celebs published photos of their deflated bumps post birth; in the same spirit of body acceptance/positivity that they bang on about. Dh was fascinated after I gave birth , commenting It looks just like a punctured balloon.

It was rather ground breaking when Demi Moore did the naked bump on the cover of Vanity Fair. Now it's time for something new.

I loved my big squishy post part belly, I can remember after dc1 lying in bed squishing it like a cuddly toy and thinking how mental and weird giving birth is

LittleRa, if pregnant women are daft enough to rely on an interview in TV Quicker whatever with Helen Flanagan to tell them what to pack for hospital, and not the thousands of other freely available and useful resources on What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag, then they're dafter than she is. good lord, who thinks to themselves 'shit what will I need post partum? better get a copy of take a break to see what Helen Flanagan says'. I'm not fully 100% sure what exactly HF does, but I'm willing to bet she doesn't have a public information remit.

Because its beautiful maybe.

Jeez. A fuck ton of Holier than Thou's on here.

@MadameButterface No, true, I get you, but some women will read that and take it at face value.

@justanotherneighinparadise

I’m sure the bump photos go alongside some promotional shite they get paid for. Same with the post-partum ‘journey’.

She's got maternity underwear to sell

It started with Demi Moore on the cover of Vanity Fair didn't it? It gets them lots of press exposure and £££.

I'd rather see my best mate or close family member for it to mean something to me however.

[quote LittleRa]@MadameButterface No, true, I get you, but some women will read that and take it at face value.[/quote]
In which case they’re too stupid to be having a baby.

people who take things they read in sleb mags at face value are all daft melts, I really cannot work up a sweat about this no matter how hard I try.

Actually, do you know what- I take it back, as I’d never actually visited her Instagram, I had just clicked on the article I saw which was all make up, but on her actual post (she has two parts) she does have the make up but also has spritz for bits, water bottles, oat bars, maternity knickers, muslins, cotton wool, baby hats, dressing gown and other stuff, all with links to the ones she recommends, which is much more the type of advice I appreciate from a 3rd time mum! Just a shame the paper/magazine I saw it in didn’t report it that way! So apologies Helen and thanks for the tips!!

[quote LittleRa]@MadameButterface No, true, I get you, but some women will read that and take it at face value.[/quote]
No they won't. Women are not stupid and can recognise a light fluff piece when they see one. I expect a number of them might decide the product looks interesting and give it a go, but it won't cause any kind of societal issue and it won't make them forget to bring nappies as well.

Meh.

I don't know who she is but I can't get worked up about her having had the temerity to post a picture of herself pregnant on what was presumably her own social media.

I'm guessing this is another one to add to the long and ever-growing list of things women are frowned upon for doing on social media. Along with

• Being photographed over the age of 40
• Being photographed with their children
• Not dressing in an "age appropriate" fashion or wearing too little or too much make-up
• Taking selfies (particularly if, gasp, over 40)
• Being photographed drunk or with alcohol in shot
• Wearing a bikini

etc etc.

Basically all you're allowed to do is post heart-warming memes and charity fundraisers.

Basically all you're allowed to do is post heart-warming memes and charity fundraisers.

That's virtue signalling.

@DrSbaitso

Basically all you're allowed to do is post heart-warming memes and charity fundraisers.

That's virtue signalling.

of course it is. Cancel all the wokesters.

Well we've still got the memes. They can't take that away from us....

Well yes baby bumps can be beautiful, what's wrong with celebrating your changing shape blah blah.

My cynical side does a little eye roll. I mean you could say celebs are cashing in on their baby bump. Using it to promote their sponsored brands..

I don't think anyone is stupid enough to read a list of make up and assume that's what they need in a hospital bag but it does contribute to the toxic social media message; appearance is everything, always be photo ready, every moment is a photo opportunity. Some young mums might read it and feel utterly depressed and failing at "looking good" post partum.

I'm glad if celebs are putting up warts and all pictures of their bodies after childbirth. At least that might be reassuring for others. whether that's later followed by the release of a fitness/diet book and After photos remains to be seen

I don't think anyone is stupid enough to read a list of make up and assume that's what they need in a hospital bag but it does contribute to the toxic social media message; appearance is everything, always be photo ready, every moment is a photo opportunity. Some young mums might read it and feel utterly depressed and failing at "looking good" post partum.

Yes, thank you @SmileyClare you’ve explained what I meant better than I did, not that women would “forget to take nappies” and think all they need is make up, but for celebs who’ve been through birth taking the opportunity to recommend products that first time mums might not even know about and would be helpful in that situation is much more beneficial than contributing to the idea you should instantly look perfect and photo ready straight after birth and feeling like a bit of a failure if you don’t.

I don't mind pregnancy photoshoots but I do wonder why the woman always has to be half naked in them.

I have never in my life seen a celebrity front page type pregnancy thing with clothes on. It's as if a pregnant body is only attractive if it's a naked one. I wonder if it's the women or the men directing the photoshoot who steer it that way.

But generally women showing off baby bumps....doesn't bother me nope.

I have a problem with the language used in relation to the pictures as pp have picked up but I like that there is more visibility of pregnant women. Rather than the old lock yourself away until you’re a size 8 routine. Personally I love seeing pregnant women smiling and apart from that I’m not really bothered what they’re wearing.

@Sittingonabench

I have a problem with the language used in relation to the pictures as pp have picked up but I like that there is more visibility of pregnant women. Rather than the old lock yourself away until you’re a size 8 routine. Personally I love seeing pregnant women smiling and apart from that I’m not really bothered what they’re wearing.

Yes that's another way of looking at it that I hadn't considered.

I.e - we are no longer medieval and pregnant women are not to be locked away in 'confinement'

Oh phew. I thought we were just going to have the bog standard "attention seeking" moralising over this one, but we also have "capitalising on her bump" and "contributing to toxic culture" because she's bringing some makeup with her. I was worried I wouldn't learn any new ways for women to fail at goodness and I do like to keep up.

Yes, the makeup bag is definitely how women are being judged here.