Why Coco Austin's Baby Bump Isn't Our Business

ICYMI, Coco Austin is 28 weeks pregnant, and by the looks of her Instagram account, super psyched to be expecting a little girl in a few month's time. But when Coco proudly flaunted her tiny baby bump yesterday to her followers, many were quick to comment that it barely looks like she’s carrying a child at all — let alone one that’s supposed to be the size of an eggplant. However, this isn’t the first time the Ice Loves Coco star has faced some harsh comments from haters over her seemingly small pregnancy figure — and although most moms don’t become trending topics when they post their pregnancy photos, all this pregnancy-shaming is sadly becoming increasingly common for all of us.

In Austin’s case, she seems to be taking the random opinions in stride, though. Back in August, when she was five-and-a-half months pregnant, Austin told “non-believers” she's definitely carrying a baby. Her bump just isn’t as pronounced because of other pregnancy-related lifestyle changes, she explained — like cutting out her nightly glass of wine. At the time, she also credited her level of fitness for the still-svelte figure. "I’ve workout [sic] and have stayed healthy my entire life," Austin wrote on her blog. "My ab muscles are super tight and taking longer to expand."

In her blog post, Austin even referenced model Sarah Stage, who was criticized for having defined abs throughout her pregnancy. And of course, there's Kim Kardashian, who was the subject of Internet conspiracies just a few months ago when skeptical fans said Kardashian "didn’t look pregnant." Now, she's once again the target of trolls for looking "too big," just as she was during her first pregnancy.

If you're ever pregnant yourself and decide to go out in public, here are some things to keep in mind. You know, if the random lady who was buying canned chicken next to you at the grocery store decides to share her thoughts on your bump...

Every Body's Different

It might seem as if there's no winning, but the truth is healthy bumps come in all shapes and sizes. The primary indicator doctors will look at is the fundal height, which is the distance from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. The general rule of thumb is the measurement should be approximately as many centimeters as the number of weeks into pregnancy. For example, a woman who is 28 weeks along should have a fundal height somewhere between 26 and 30 centimeters.

The trick with that? Taller women naturally have more built-in room, while shorter women may start to "pop" sooner to make space. For similar reasons, larger women may not appear to have a bump until later. Other factors that can affect bump size include the amount of amniotic fluid, mom's posture and whether there have been previous pregnancies.

Your Doctor's Opinion Is What Matters

In addition to super fun pregnancy symptoms like heartburn, shortness of breath, and leg cramps, visibly pregnant women can also expect to get a whole myriad of comments from complete strangers. These can range from the harmless ("You look great!") to the insensitive ("Are you carrying twins? Are you sure?"). Although those may not be well-received by already hormonal pregnant women, take heart that the OB's opinion is what matters.

“The fact is, you can't tell a baby by its cover," warns Heidi Murkoff, in her classic pregnancy guide, What To Expect When You’re Expecting. "Whether a woman appears to carry small or large depends less on the bulk of her baby and more on her own bulk, shape, and bone structure. The only assessments of a fetus's size that are worth paying attention to are medical ones."

Your Bump Is Unique And Awesome

Trust me: If there is ever a time to take a shopping trip, it's now. Unlike in years past, there is an incredible selection of maternity clothes that will allow you to flaunt your new curves however you want. Also consider commemorating the bump with maternity pictures. If working with a pro is too much of a splurge, ask a friend or family member to snap a few shots.

Most importantly, remember how truly awesome it is you are growing a new person inside of you. Start some kind of ritual that will help you connect with him or her — and it's almost guaranteed you'll totally forget about the bump's size and think instead about the fact that your body (and that baby of yours) is pretty much the coolest.

Images: Giphy.com (3)