Model Sarah Stage, Mom With 6-Pack During Pregnancy, Gives Birth To Baby: But Was Her Fitness Really Healthy?

The 30-year-old lingerie model who stirred up a lot of anger after posting pictures of her nearly nonexistent baby bump due to her six pack, Sarah Stage, has given birth. It appears her baby is quite healthy — but the entire fiasco opens up questions about what’s more important: a fit, thin body image manufactured by media influence, or a healthy, natural pregnancy.

When we imagine pregnancy, we immediately think of gaining weight — which is in fact healthy and essential to the baby’s development. According to the American Pregnancy Association, weight gain is extremely important for the infant’s health. Expecting mothers should gain around 25-35 pounds of pregnancy weight — all due to the baby itself (7-8 pounds), the placenta, amniotic fluid, uterus, maternal breast tissue, blood, and fat and nutrient stores. This weight gain helps reduce the risk of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, stretch marks, backache, and other complications.

Despite this, Stage went ahead and continued with her intense workouts. With over 1 million followers on Instagram, she brought to the nation’s attention what it looks like if you keep working out intensely during pregnancy, her baby bump nearly invisible underneath her hardy six-pack. And although everything turned out alright for Stage, who did gain about 28 pounds of pregnancy weight herself, we should be wary about what her image might impose on the minds of other young expectant mothers, who want to remain skinny and fit but may be unaware of the health risks for both mother and baby.

Here's an image from Stage's Instagram of her baby bump.

And afterwards:

In another Instagram photo, Stage announces the birth of her son, James Hunter. “8.7lbs/22 inches of HEALTHY baby!” Stage writes. “Thank you for the positive support throughout my journey."

Remember, it’s not all about how good your bathroom-mirror selfie looks. What’s most important is the health of the baby.