Iskra Lawrence reveals body image 'challenge' while pregnant
Iskra Lawrence has opened up about her struggle with body image while pregnant.
The British model, 29, is considered a role model for body positivity, and has featured in a number of unretouched campaigns for American Eagle Outfitters’ lingerie line, Aerie.
READ MORE: Pregnant women spend £700 on maternity clothes
Lawrence has previously suffered from body dysmorphia and an eating disorder.
She addresses these struggles in the video, together with the difficulties she has faced during her pregnancy journey, including having to be weighed by her doctor – a “triggering” practice she doesn’t do herself.
In the footage, she explains how it felt being informed her BMI was “a little bit high”. She responded to her doctor, “I look after myself really well, thank you”.
Lawrence added that she has embraced the “changes” in her body, which have included acne on her chest and stretch marks around her stomach, and treated it as a “positive challenge” to continue to “love [herself]” throughout the journey.
“One of the main factors [of pregnancy] that can trigger you is something being out of your control and your body changing in a way you’ve never seen before,” she explains.
“I think it’s a really wonderful, positive challenge to be taken out of your comfort zone and to find the ways that your body is changing and to continue to love yourself in that journey, whatever that looks like for you.”
Lawrence isn’t the first body-positive figure to get real about her changing pregnancy body.
American plus-size model Ashley Graham, 32, who is expecting a son this month, has shared nude images of herself throughout her pregnancy.
Pregnancy and weight
Women can calculate their body mass index (BMI) – a commonly-used health weight indicator – before they get pregnant.
However, after falling pregnant this is not considered an accurate measurement, according to the NHS website.
READ MORE: Woman gives birth hours after learning she was pregnant
The best way for women to protect their health and their baby’s wellbeing is to reach a healthy weight before falling pregnant.
This also increases a woman’s chances of natural conception and reduces the problems associated with being overweight during pregnancy.
However, the majority women who are overweight during pregnancy still go on to have a straightforward pregnancy and birth and to deliver healthy babies, the website adds.
