The reason Meghan cradles her bump revealed: The positive effect

Pregnant Meghan is targeted by trolls for ‘touching her stomach too much’ on stage at the British Fashion Awards – but an expert insists the habit can POSITIVELY affect the baby

  • According to midwife, cradling can have a soothing effect on unborn baby
  • Especially in noisy environments like the glamorous British Fashion Awards  
  • Meghan made a surprise appearance at the glitzy event on Monday night
  • Presented her wedding designer Clare Waight Keller with an award  

A glowing Meghan Markle set social media ablaze as she was photographed proudly cradling her baby bump on stage at the British Fashion Awards on Monday evening. 

The royal’s surprise appearance at the glitzy ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall – where she presented her wedding dress designer Clare Waight Keller with the British womenswear designer of the year award – left many fans delighted by the glimpse of Meghan’s blossoming bump on display. 

However the response was not solely positive; with some on Twitter criticising the pregnant Duchess for ‘touching her stomach too much’, branding it ‘irritating’ and ‘smug’. 

But now an expert has revealed why Meghan’s tendency to keep a protective arm or two draped over her expanding stomach could positively impact her unborn child.   

Katherine Graves, founder of KG Hypnobirthing, told FEMAIL that when mothers-to-be put their hands on their bumps in hypnobirthing classes, the ‘baby responds every time’. 

Even if the gesture is solely a comforting gesture for Meghan herself, that will ‘have a profound effect on her baby’, said Katherine, who helps train midwives working at the Lindo Wing, where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth, before adding that ‘it’s a positive thing for both mum and baby to touch and reassure’.     

An expert at Private Midwives has revealed the reason behind Meghan Markle cradling her bump, explaining that it can soothe an unborn child in unfamiliar and loud surroundings

Social media critics complained that the pregnant Duchess was ‘attention seeking’ by ‘constantly cradling her bump’

In the wake of Meghan’s surprise solo appearance at the glamorous event on Monday night, one Twitter user wrote online: ‘Oh ok we believe  Meghan that you are pregnant stop holding that bump its irritating now too much.’

Another added: ‘Markle needs to desperately stop holding her baby bump because it’s not as if everyone doesn’t already know’.


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A third tweet read: ‘Meghan we know you are pregnant. You can stop holding onto the bump with both hands now. It won’t fall off’.  

Katherine told FEMAIL that stroking of the stomach is a relaxation method she asks clients to practice in hypnobirthing classes – a birthing technique Meghan has reportedly been reading up about as she prepares to welcome her first child with Prince Harry in the spring. 

A glowing Meghan Markle was pictured holding her stomach as she attended The Fashion Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening, but her tactile appearance was subjected to cruel jibes online

Katharine explained that touching her bump will help Meghan feel calm, releasing the so-called ‘feel-good’ hormone oxytocin, which goes directly to the placenta to positively affect her baby, and can even help stave off post-natal depression after the birth. 

Katharine also warned that conversely, any stress caused by criticism directed at mothers-to-be could cause the hormone cortisol to be released, with the potential for negative effects on an unborn child.    

‘It has been shown time and time again that babies recognise what they have experienced in the womb after they are born,’ she told FEMAIL. 

‘They recognise songs they have heard, and they certainly recognise their mother’s and their father’s voices.

‘Relaxations in hypnobirthing class involve having a hand on the bump, and the baby responds every time.

‘A relaxed uterus gives baby the space to turn into the optimal position for birth and relaxed mums produce feel good hormone oxytocin, which goes direct to the baby via the placenta.’

She added: ‘If touching her bump does nothing more than help Meghan feel calm, even that will have a profound effect on her baby as mother’s hormones have been shown to influence the baby too, calm births produce calm babies of which there is evidence for.

‘It’s a positive thing for both mum and baby to touch and reassure baby, which is vital for babies bonding and well being, staving off postnatal depression and facilitating healthy connection for all.’

An expert’s comment defending Meghan comes after Twitter was flooded with comments targeting Prince Harry’s wife for ‘touching her stomach too much’

She added of the negative effects stress could cause: ‘Being under strain and pressure from criticism puts mothers in the fear response with harmful hormone cortisol produced, which crosses to the placenta affecting the baby.

‘Corisol is a harmful side effect of stress, constricting oxygenated blood to the baby and having a negative effect on both.

‘Meghan is practicing responsive natural parenting and touching, speaking and cradling her bump will be very beneficial for the baby’. 

Liz Halliday, Deputy Head of Midwifery at Private Midwives, added: ‘At public events, Meghan may feel more protective of her baby and thus cradle her bump more than usual. Mothers may feel that stroking their bump calms the baby in some situations and during public events Meghan may be either consciously or sub-consciously attempting to do this.’ 

Nonetheless, the Duchess was still subjected to criticism from Twitter users who complained that she was ‘attention seeking’ by constantly highlighting her expanding bump.  

However many rushed to the former Suits star’s defence, with one tweeting: ‘People are so bothered by Meghan holding her bump. I did this all the time. Some actually seem p***ed off about it in the same way they object to touching Harry. Someone actually said she’s treating her baby like a trophy! Like wtf?’

And a mother explained she could be comforting the baby in louder surroundings, adding: ‘Leave Meghan and her bump alone. It’s extremely personal. The baby might be extra restless especially in a noisy environment. I know because I have two children. Cradling the bump soothes and calms them, okay? Go to bed’.

Another wrote: ‘Why does Meghan holding her baby bump bother so many people? Why do you care? you’d think it was a crime that’s she’s touching HER baby’. 

The expert highlighted the unfair judgement mothers-to-be are often subjected to online, with many rushing to her defence on Twitter. A mother explained she could be comforting the baby in louder surroundings, adding: ‘Leave Meghan and her bump alone. It’s extremely personal. The baby might be extra restless especially in a noisy environment. I know because I have two children. Cradling the bump soothes and calms them, okay? Go to bed’.

Her comment comes after Twitter was flooded with comments targeting Prince Harry’s wife for ‘touching her stomach too much’. One follower wrote: ‘Oh ok we believe Meghan that you are pregnant stop holding that bump its irritating now too much.’


Meghan, seen left with Prince Harry in October, and right in November at the Royal Variety Awards, has frequently been snapped with a protective hand on her bump since her pregnancy was confirmed 

Another fan said: ‘She’s so warm and attentive all the time, its obvious she’d be that way with a growing baby inside of her.’

Earlier this year Khloe Kardashian, at the time pregnant with her daughter, True, became the subject of online criticism for proudly cradling her growing baby bump. 

In February she hit back at trolls on social media in a defiant Twitter post that said: ‘People are very opinionated about my bump. I choose to cradle my bump because it’s MINE. I’ve waited for this VERY short moment for YEARS. I have only months to enjoy this phase in my life, so I will touch my bump and love my bump as often as I choose. Mommy loves you baby!’

According to Vanity Fair, Meghan is planning a natural home birth, with a source telling the publication: ‘Doria plans to be around a lot when the baby arrives, and there are plans for her to have a dedicated space at their new home.

‘She wants to be on hand to help Meghan and Harry with the baby. Doria will be involved and if she’s involved she will be encouraging Meg to go for a natural birth.’

‘She’s so warm and attentive all the time, its obvious she’d be that way with a growing baby inside of her,’ another follower praised, as many rushed the pregnant Duchess’ defence

Plenty of royal fans immediately jumped to the Duchess’ defence on social media, with one tweeting ‘flaunt that beautiful baby bump, Meghan!’ 

In February Khloe, who was then pregnant with her first child True, slammed followers for commenting on her tactile display, explaining that she was happy to be pregnant, after a long period of trying to conceive

 

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