Gemma Atkinson is gearing up for the birth of her first baby with her boyfriend, Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Márquez, and with their little one expected in July, things are getting very exciting!
Now that Gemma is on maternity leave, the mum-to-be has been keeping her fans up-to-date on social media, where she's posted a before and after pregnancy picture on Instagram.
Gem, who is known for being into her health and fitness, revealed she's put on 15kg throughout her pregnancy, writing, '70kg vs 85kg. Softer arms, puffier face, bigger ass and thighs, bigger belly, uterus, placenta, water retention, huge rise in estrogen meaning more cellulite and lets be honest, my boobs are like the Mitchell brothers 😂'.
Gemma went on to say, 'ALL of the above means my body is working to grow my baby and I couldn’t be more proud of it. Lots of you have DM me telling me you’re pregnant & struggling with the changes in your body. Admittedly, it is hard at first especially if like me, you were / are a gym bunny.'
The 34-year-old then gave some solid advice to other pregnant women out there. She wrote, 'However, if you change your way of thinking and realise firstly that pregnancy is a beautiful privilege denied to many woman so be grateful you have this opportunity, things do start to become easier.
'Secondly, from the minute you are carrying your baby (for me anyway) EVERYTHING became about my baby. Not my appearance. I wanted / still want them to be as strong and as healthy as possible. So if that means for the time being me as the “carrier” gains weight then so what?! 🤷🏼♀️ I can lose it in time. Yes I’ve continued my training but to nowhere near the extent I was and I’ve most certainly ate more than usual too.
'On the odd day I’ve felt fed up at not being able to run or lift heavy or have a good sweat on after training I’ve reminded myself that it’s temporary and that my baby is growing well and that fed up feeling disappears in seconds. If you really want to do all that stuff again after a baby, you will. You won’t find time as you’ll be exhausted, YOU have to MAKE TIME. And if you can’t get to a gym or exercise (which many people won’t be able to) you can always start on clean foods again for a few months before anything physical. Whatever you know works best for you, you can do it. Small steps make a big difference. Me being pregnant is the reason I look so different to how I “normally look” Me being a mum WONT be the reason I don’t get back to it and feeling as good again. Don’t let it be yours either!'
Gemma, who will return to Hits Radio after her maternity leave, then revealed she's learnt how 'strong' women are. She concluded, 'Woman are incredibly strong, the last 9 months I’ve learnt that even more so. We got this. So to the ladies currently struggling with the changes soldier on. It’ll all be worth it when little man or little lady arrives knowing their mum is a total warrior woman 😏🤰💪🏼❤️'. [sic]
Celebrities expecting babies 2019 - slider with cover pic
1 of 12Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter
Sherlock actor and his theatre director wife Sophie Hunter are expecting their third child together in March 2019. Although neither of them have officially confirmed the news, Sophie is thought to have had her dress custom-made to accommodate her baby bump.
2 of 12Gary Beadle and Emma McVey
Geordie Shore's Gaz Beadle and his model girlfriend Emma McVey announced that they're expecting their second child together in June 2019, 18 months after welcoming son Chester! Taking to Instagram, Gaz shared a photo of the baby scan with the caption, 'BABY NO 2 ud83dude2eud83dude2eud83dude2e WE MUST BE MAD.... joking wow so nice to finally let everyone know baby no 2 will be with us later this year and I am SOOOOOOOO EXCITED Chester changed my life and now to give him a brother or sister is just amazing I was so nervous with Chester but now it's just excitement... @emma_jane1392 ud83dudc99❤ufe0f.' [sic]Emma also shared the photo, writing, 'We can finally share our amazing news. Baby number 2 on the way ❤ufe0fud83dudc76ud83cudffc I'm so excited for Chester to have a brother or sister and make our house a little bit more crazy! ud83dudc36ud83dudc36ud83dudc76ud83cudffcud83dudc76ud83cudffcud83eudd30ud83cudffbud83eudd37ud83cudffb♂ufe0f @gazgshore.' [sic]The pair have since revealed they are expecting a little girl, making their family complete!
3 of 12Casey Batchelor
Casey Batchelor revealed in July 2019 that she's expecting her second child with fiancé Dane Goodson! The Celebrity Big Brother star, who welcomed first baby, daughter Florence, with Dane in May 2018, spoke to Closer magazine, "I'm going to have two babies 20 months apart… I can't quite believe it!" the 34-year-old said. "It'll be tough, but I'm going to ride the storm – we're just so thrilled we're having another baby."
4 of 12Anna Williamson
Congratulations are in order for Celebs Go Dating star Anna Williamson, who announced in July 2019 that she's pregnant with her second child!
5 of 12Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
Countdown star Rachel Riley and her Strictly Come Dancing husband Pasha Kovalev announced their first pregnancy in May 2019. Rachel took to social media with a photo of herself cradling her tummy and a Countdown conundrum on the board which spelled out 'maternity'. She wrote, 'We're over the moon excited!'
6 of 12Lucy-Jo Hudson
Hollyoaks actress Lucy-Jo Hudson took to Instagram on 12th August 2019 to announce her pregnancy with new boyfriend Lewis Devine. Sharing a photo of a baby scan being held by Lucy-Jo, Lewis and Sienna Rae - her daughter with estranged husband Alan Halsall - Lucy-Jo wrote, 'This has been so hard to keep quiet ud83eudd2b but today was the day @lewisdevine and I got to tell Sienna the best news!!! We are 13 weeks pregnant and so very excited to extend our little family....'Sienna is so excited to be a big sister.... and Lew is ecstatic to become a daddy for the first time and I am so happy to be having another gorgeous baby! No other feeling like it ud83dudc97ud83dudc99 .' [sic]Lewis shared the same photo and wrote, 'I don't know how we've kept this quiet ud83dudc76ud83dude2c My gorgeous @lucyjo_hudson is 13 weeks pregnant and I couldn't be happier to become a Dad for the first time... seeing little siennas face this morning was unbelievable shes so excited and can't wait to become a big sister... We cant wait to meet little Baby Devine ud83dudc96ud83dudc99.' [sic]
7 of 12Ryan Thomas and Lucy Mecklenburgh
Just two months after announcing their engagement, former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh and former Corrie actor Ryan Thomas announced they were expecting their first child together .
8 of 12Jamie and Rebekah Vardy
Former I'm A Celeb star Rebekah Vardy confirmed she's expecting her fifth child with her footballer husband Jamie Vardy. The new addition that's due early next year will be Rebekah's fifth biological child and Jamie's fourth.
9 of 12Melissa Suffield
Ex-EastEnders actress Melissa Suffield announced in September 2019 that she's expecting her first baby with fiancé Robert Brendan three months after announcing her engagement!
10 of 12Ola and James Jordan
Former Strictly Come Dancing couple Ola and James Jordan are expecting their first baby together! The couple, who have been married since 2003, have opened up about their fertility struggles and their happiness at becoming pregnant after going through IVF. They're thought to be due in March 2020.
11 of 12Millie Mackintosh
Former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh announced she was expecting her first child with co-star and husband Hugo Taylor in November 2019. At the time of the announcement, Millie also revealed she's expecting a baby girl.
12 of 12Storm and Ronan Keating
Boyzone singer Ronan Keating and his wife Storm are expecting their second child together in 2020. The pair announced their lovely news on social media in November, writing, 'Another little Keating on the way ♥ufe0f'.
After announcing she was expecting a baby back in February (with the help of her dogs Norman and Ollie), Gemma's bundle of joy is expected to arrive in July! 👶
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