Pregnancy is no joke. While medical advancements have increased the likelihood that both a mom-to-be and her impending arrival won't face serious complications, the list of things pregnant moms shouldn't do, and the things they should be doing, grows seemingly longer with every passing day. Add to this fact the expectation that many face to avoid putting on too much baby weight, and it's no wonder that many expecting women harbor the desire to hide away in private until their babies arrive.
Famous women face even more pressure than the rest of us during their pregnancies. They are constantly in the spotlight, with pics of nearly everything they do, eat and wear constantly being snapped and shared. We don't blame some celeb moms for being a bit camera shy, or shy in general, while expecting.
The following celebrities have accomplished the heroic feat of growing a child inside of them while the whole world was watching them. Some chose to embrace their blossoming bellies and share their pregnancy journey with their fans around the globe. Others opted to keep their babies-to-be and their changing bodies under wraps. Read on for 15 celeb moms who rocked their baby bumps and 5 who were just a bit too shy while expecting.
20 Victoria's Posh Pregnancy
Victoria Beckham has never been one to come across as shy. She boldly struts her stuff every time she's out and about, and she always looks fabulous from head to toe. The mother-of-four's pregnancy style is no exception.
She is one woman who doesn't shy away from sky-high stilettos and form-hugging designer duds when she's got a baby on board.
The former Spice Girl is seen above in an all-black ensemble made complete with stunner shades and high-heeled booties. No doubt about it. She's most definitely rocking her baby bump! Despite the fact that the fashion mogul is known for stepping out in style while pregnant, she once admitted to People.com, "I'm not really one of those people that like to go out and pose and flaunt being pregnant." Could have fooled us!
19 Scarlett Is Ravishing In Red
Scarlett Johansson looked simply stunning when she stepped out for a red carpet shindig while expecting her first child, Rose Dorothy Dauriac. Her vibrant red gown and sparkling diamond jewelry perfectly complimented her glowing skin, radiant smile and ample baby bump. She was one mom-to-be who was pleased as punch to show the world her expanding tummy.
Instead of hiding it underneath layers of flowing chiffon, she chose to don a form-fitting number that showed off her every curve in the best of ways. Since giving birth, Scarlett has admitted that being a mom is a lovely experience, but also a challenging one. Speaking about life as a new mom, the actress shared on Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People of 2014, "It's wonderful. It's very, very magical...and exhausting. The love is just unbelievable. It's very overwhelming."
18 Beyonce's Bump Breaks The Internet
Beyonce became the star of one of the most-liked pics to ever grace Instagram when she shared a shot of herself and her blossoming baby bump while expecting twins Rumi and Sir. Her serene expression, and her choice to wear nothing but barely-there lingerie made this iconic pic one that will never be forgotten. Bey opened up to E! News about pregnancy in 2011. She shared,
"[Pregnancy] is the most incredible gift anyone can have and I'm so happy I'm a woman. Men, I feel bad, they don't get to experience this. It's incredible."
She told Vogue in 2013 that experiencing pregnancy and motherhood has helped her to "really understand the power of [her] body." She continued, "I just feel my body means something completely different. I feel a lot more confident about it. Even being heavier, thinner, whatever. I feel a lot more like a woman. More feminine, more sensual. And no shame."
17 Gwen's Glamorous Maternity Selfie
Singer and mother-of-three Gwen Stefani took the flawless selfie above in her glamorous powder room. The shot has solidified the fact that the Voice judge is one of the most stylish and sophisticated pregnant women of all time. Her all-black attire, strappy stilettos and red lips prove that women can most definitely be expecting and sexy at the same time.
Stefani may make pregnancy look like a breeze, but parenting can be a challenge for her from time to time. She admitted on The Ellen Show,"Everybody knows that 4-8 at night is like chaos. It's like the crazy time in our house. The other day we were driving home and I was thinking, 'Okay, Motel 6. If I can just find one and go there and disappear... Disappear from my life.' But no, they're incredible."
16 Olivia's Candid Belly Pic
Mother-of-two Olivia Wilde had her fans swooning after she posted a pic of herself, her baby bump and her first son, Otis. In the shot that she posted to her Instagram, she is dressed casually in black underclothing and an unbuttoned white shirt. Her little one is in a white cotton t-shirt and holds it up to show his cute, squishy tummy.
The two are smiling at each other, and effortlessly portraying the love that exists between a mother and her child.
After welcoming Otis to the world, the actress opened up to E! about motherhood. She gushed, "The amazing thing about becoming a parent is that you will never again be your own first priority. The gift of motherhood is the selflessness that it introduces you to, and I think that's really freeing...I think it allows you to put yourself in other people's shoes...the empathy that it slugs you with, being a mother. And I think it makes you a better storyteller."
15 Blake's A Bombshell
Actress Blake Lively has long been a fashion icon for the world at large. Since her days starring on Gossip Girl, she's continued to wow her fans with her attire every time she steps out in public, her maternity clothing being no exception. Lively opened up about being a new mom to the Los Angeles Times in 2015 soon after giving birth to her first daughter, James.
She shared, "You never know when you're gonna get crapped on or when you're gonna get a big smile or when that smile immediately turns into hysterics. It might be like living with a drug addict. But you have a baby and you think, 'I can't imagine ever not having a baby,' because they grow up so quickly. I'd be an 80-year-old woman with a baby if I could."
14 Ashley's Peaceful Pregnancy Pic
Singer Ashley Simpson looks simply stunning and completely serene in the pic above. Her hair is swept back from her face and adorned with a wreath of cream-colored flowers, and her maternity dress is showcasing her bump in a way that is both subtle and exquisite. The feeling of the pic is effortlessly cool and completely on point.
The star and mother-of-two has waxed poetic about motherhood on more than one occasion.
One of her most beautiful and wisdom-filled statements about life after giving birth is as follows: "Being a mom's so empowering and incredible. I'm one of those people who believes that life brings things to you at a certain time for a certain reason, and if you just go with it, that's where the best moments come from."
13 Zoe's No-Pressure Approach To Motherhood
Actress and former dancer Zoe Saldana is a vision in white in the pic above. She's wearing the crisp, clean color from head-to-toe, and couldn't look more gorgeous. She's yet another celeb who chose to embrace her changing body while expecting. The form-fitting dress she's donned fits her like a glove.
Speaking about bouncing back after giving birth, Saldana has said, "I feel bad for those women that get super desperate and want to bounce back three months after having a baby. And it's more like breastfeed, stay home, sleep. Your kid is only three months old. Like what are going to the gym for? I definitely took a break, and I trusted that my body was going to bounce back when it was ready. I never wanted to push myself."
12 Liv's Baby Joy
Liv Tyler is most definitely glowing in the pic above as she and her dear friend pose for the camera, her pal's hands resting excitedly on her burgeoning belly. In the shot, Tyler is embracing her pregnancy for all its worth, and it's apparent that she's proud to pose with her baby-to-be. She's not at all shy about the fact that she has a baby on the way.
The long-sleeved dress she's chosen to wear showcases her baby bump beautifully.
Marie Claire has reported that when the famous mother-of-three was pregnant with her third baby, Lula, in 2016, she shared, "Everyday I'm like, 'Oh my, God!' But then I stop and take a deep breath and just focus on gratitude and how grateful I am for all the opportunities that I have. I'm good [but] very tired. It feels like I've been pregnant forever!"
11 Rosie Relaxes In Paradise
Model and actress Rosie Huntington Whiteley shared a picture of herself relaxing on the beach when she was expecting her first and only son, Jack, with her man Jason Statham. In the pic, she's posing with pride in a chevron bikini with her belly on full display. The location of the photo, on a beautiful, pristine beach complete with white sand and clear, blue water completes the epic pregnancy pic, but Whiteley's gorgeous baby bump is definitely the star of the shot.
After giving birth to her treasured tot, Whiteley gushed to Harper's Bazaar, "It sounds so clichéd, but it's just been the most magical experience. Everything feels so special and sweet and wholesome and loving and then at the same time it's been...life-changing, and my focus is now this person; this is what I want to do. This is what I want to pour my heart into now. [Statham] is the best dad. I can't even put it into words...It's really a beautiful thing to watch."
10 Jess's Baby Bump Is Red Carpet Ready
Jessica Alba is the proud mother of three darling children as well as one of the founders of The Honest Company. She's also an A-list actress who always impresses when she steps out for red carpet events.
Above, she's seen smiling brightly in a breathtaking maroon gown that compliments her growing bump.
The feathers on the bust, her adorable hairstyle, and the golden bangles on her wrist make the look fun, fresh and totally stylish. Speaking about her cravings and aversions while expecting, Alba has shared, "I suddenly love citrus stuff, oranges, and lemonade...I can't get enough of it...and I didn't really care for any of that before. And I can't deal with things that are too pungent. I used to love truffles; now I can't. I also have a hard time eating a big steak."
9 Emily Is Beautiful In Blue
The always lovely actress Emily Blunt has two beautiful baby girls, Hazel and Violet, with her hubby, John Krasinski. She is seen above looking magnificent in a form-fitting, blue sequined gown. Her pose oozes confidence and poise and proves that a baby bump is a wonderful accessory to bring along to a star-studded event.
Her hair is swept back from her glowing face in an elegant updo and her sparkling jewelry matches the excitement she's most certainly feeling about her impending arrival shimmering in her eyes. While pregnant for the second time in 2016, the star told C Magazine, "The first pregnancy is the most self-indulgent thing in the world because you get massages and prenatal yoga and hypnotherapy CDs. During this one, I forget that I'm even pregnant. I'm hoisting a 2-year-old around!"
8 Behati And Adam Compare Bumps
Model Behati Prinsloo and her handsome husband, Adam Levine, have two darling little girls: Dusty Rose and Gio Grace. The two posed together for a bump selfie while Prinsloo was expecting their second child. The shot proved to the world that a growing belly is nothing to be ashamed of...even if the extra pounds are nothing more than sympathy weight gained by an apprehensive daddy-to-be.
The bump photo featuring the gorgeous couple was a hit on social media, and a reminder to expecting parents everywhere to relax a bit and just enjoy the journey while expecting.
After giving birth to her first child in 2017, Prinsloo told People, "I love Adam, and when you get married you fall in love with someone, you think that there's no greater love than that love...And then you have a baby, and it's just next-level love."
7 Pregnant Heidi Is Smoking!
Heidi Klum is a mother-of-four who knows how to rock a baby bump. While expecting her fourth child in 2009, the model opened up to People about her impending arrival. When asked if she enjoyed being pregnant, Klum responded, "I do. It's the most wonderful thing that your body goes through. It's producing another human being! What a miracle. It's never boring. Not old hat like, 'Oh, I've done it three times.' Every time is a new first time and I love it. Then the birth is just an amazing experience."
When asked by the mag if she had any advice for other moms-to-be, the Project Runway host shared, "I would say to cherish these moments and think of what you have in the end as a mom. You have made a child. You created new life all in your amazing body!"
6 Carrie's Elegant Maternity Style
Carrie Underwood is seen above looking breathtakingly beautiful in a sparkling gown that accentuates her blossoming baby bump.
She's chosen to pair the gorgeous dress with six-inch stilettos heels, and doesn't show any signs of stumbling. Now that's a super mom-to-be! After the American Idol winner welcomed her first child, Isaiah, with hubby Mike Fisher to the world, she admitted to People magazine that their lives had changed since before a bouncing baby came along.
The country crooner told the mag, "You just have to make room and you learn how important family time is, and to be able to spend time and carve out some of that and maybe get to go on vacation and maybe get to go on a cruise — that stuff is so important to, like I said, make time for family. That's what it's all about."
5 Zooey's Bump Stays Under Wraps
Actress Zooey Deschanel has two children, Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolf, with her husband, Jacob Pechenik. While expecting her babies, the actress kept a low profile. When she ventured out into public, she often covered up with big coats and baggy clothing. It's a woman's prerogative to keep her baby bumps private if she so chooses. We're just a little sad we didn't get to see more of pregnant Zooey, because there's no doubt in our minds she made a ridiculously cute pregnant person.
The New Girl star is a private celeb who doesn't like to share the details of her personal life with the world. She also has qualms with the pressure put on new moms to bounce back after giving birth, and told Redbook, "To expect someone to look like her pre-baby self immediately is odd. Because you just grew a human and then birthed that human – there’s a lot that needs to go back to where it was. All your organs move around, for Christ’s sake!”
4 Eva's Handbag Shields Her Bump
Eva Mendes is another fiercely private celeb who likes to keep her private life separate from her work life. She and her swoon-worthy husband, Ryan Gosling, have two beautiful daughters together. The actress is seen above carrying a giant bag that she is using as a tool to hide her pregnant belly.
Once again, no one blames her for being shy, but many fans would love nothing more than to sneak a peek at her adorable bump.
Speaking about the struggles newborns face after entering the world, Mendes told The Violet Files, "I've learned that it's way harder to be a baby. Everything is a struggle for her. For instance, I haven't thrown up since the '90s and she's thrown up twice since we started this interview. Motherhood is cake compared to what it's like to be a baby."
3 Jen Keeps Thing Casual
Mother-of-three Jennifer Garner is one of the most beloved of all A-list stars. She's sweet, kind and undeniably gorgeous. Despite the fact that the world views Garner as one of the most beautiful women in the world, she has her insecurities...especially while expecting. The actress once admitted to the Daily Mail, "I wish I was one of those cute pregnant girls who wear skinny jeans throughout their pregnancies. But I just gain weight."
While pregnant with her first daughter, Violet, in 2005, Jen told InStyle, "The news of my pregnancy got out when I was in the middle of my first trimester. I hadn't even had a chance to tell my friends. That alone was so ugly. It made me hyper-protective ... I feel uncomfortable with people reading too much about my pregnancy or my relationship. It grosses me out. It's too sweet to read about or dissect."
2 Jess's Hands Hide Her Belly
Mother-of-two Jessica Simpson has become known for the large amount of weight she gained during her pregnancies. She admitted to buttering Pop Tarts in an attempt to satisfy her pregnancy cravings while expecting, and lost her excess baby weight with Weight Watchers after her babies' deliveries. In the pic above, she seems to be self-conscious about her baby bump, and is covering it protectively with her hands and arms.
While expecting her first child, Maxwell, Jess dished to People.com, "I crave cantaloupe like a crazy person. But I put salt all over it, so I don't know if that's actually healthy. That mixture to me is so good." The singer and fashion mogul also told People, "People always say that pregnant women have a glow. And I say it's because you're sweating to death. I think they just tell pregnant women they're glowing to make them feel good about themselves."
1 Kate's Modest Coat
The Duchess of Cambridge is set to welcome her third royal baby to the world any day now, and the world is anxiously awaiting this long-anticipated event with bated breath. Middleton is always the epitome of class and style when she steps out, but some have mused that she too often hides her baby bumps under large coats and loose-fitting dresses. Maybe she's too busy preparing for her impending arrival to worry about her maternity fashion statements.
A source who claims to be close to Kate dished to Life & Style magazine that she is in full-on nesting mode. According to the insider, "The past few weeks have been extremely hectic for Kate and she's freaking out about all the things she needs to get done before the baby arrives. Kate finished the nursery months ago, but she's had a change of heart about the design and wants to redecorate it. She's also frantically shopping for baby clothes because she decided to get new outfits."
Referencess: Parents.com, ETOnline.com, EOnline.com, People.com, MarieClaire.co.uk, BrainyQuote.com, MSN.com