Olivia Culpo Challenges Pregnancy Weight Stigma: "It's Just Noise"

Actress Olivia Culpo is calling on expectant mothers to ignore social pressure about weight gain during pregnancy. In a TikTok post, the 34-year-old said a growing body is a sign that the baby is developing healthily, not something to be shamed for.

Culpo, who is now pregnant with her second child from her marriage to NFL star Christian McCaffrey, said she often hears snide comments like "she really blew up" when her weight increases. She instead feels proud because every pound gained signals fetal development. "Every time I see my body growing, I think my baby is growing too—and that means my baby is healthy," she said.

She highlighted a society obsessed with slim post-partum bodies. According to her, many people compare themselves to celebrities who quickly return to being thin without knowing the process behind it, such as breastfeeding, childbirth, or each person's health condition. "The only thing you can control is what you do as a mother to your child. The rest is just noise," she stressed.

Although she encourages women not to compare themselves, Culpo admits she occasionally feels insecure about her husband's always-fit physique. "Christian is so fit and annoying because he's perfect in everything," she joked. However, McCaffrey tries to reassure her by reminding her that a woman's body needs a year to recover.

Behind her positive message, Culpo harbors anxiety ahead of childbirth. She will undergo a cesarean section in Los Angeles, while McCaffrey must immediately return to San Francisco to play. "Christian will be gone on the day I give birth. I have a C-section, then he has to leave right away. It's football season," she said.

"You don't know whether that person is breastfeeding, how her milk production is, or how her delivery went. The only thing you can control is what you do as a mother. The rest is just noise." — Olivia Culpo

Culpo's statement touches on the reality of many mothers in Indonesia, where social pressure on post-partum body shape remains strong. According to Riskesdas 2018 data, about 40% of Indonesian women gain excess weight during pregnancy, yet only a small portion receive adequate nutritional and psychological support. The stigma that mothers must quickly become slim often ignores the need for physical and mental recovery.

Maternal health experts consider Culpo's message relevant for maternal health campaigns. "Focusing on the health of the baby and mother, not on aesthetic standards, is key to reducing stress during pregnancy," said dr. Andini, an obstetrician, in an online seminar. She added that family and health worker support is crucial to prevent post-partum depression.

Going forward, Culpo's story could trigger a broader discussion about how the media and society treat pregnant women's bodies. Will we remain trapped in unrealistic standards, or start appreciating the natural process of pregnancy as part of health?