Even in normal circumstances pregnancy is a tough experience. Now imagine going through that while also experiencing one of the deadliest, most chaotic times of our lives. Many mothers experienced being pregnant in 2020, where each new day was scarier than the one before it — and celebrities weren't immune to that stress. These 15 stars opened up about what it was like to be pregnant during a pandemic.
For most, it was an added source of anxiety on top of an already stressful experience. Many first time celeb moms missed out on important events like baby showers or even just getting to introduce their child to their friends and family. Others tried to use the impending baby as a silver lining to the mess that was the rest of the year.
However they handled it, all of their feelings are valid. It was in many ways both the best and worst time to be pregnant.
Rachel Bloom
Jamie Otis
The Married at First Sight star changed her whole birth plan when things started getting bad last spring. She told People magazine that she was going to opt for a home birth instead of going to the hospital during such a crazy time. Her husband Doug Hehner added, "The fact that I may or may not be able to be a support person at the delivery in the hospital… What do we do with our [older] daughter if I can’t leave the hospital? At least with our house, we know it's a more controlled environment," he said.
Chloe Sevigny
Ahead of her May labor, actress Chloe Sevigny was shaken up by reports that her partner may not have been able to be in the hospital with her while she gave birth. "I was told that Sinisa, my boyfriend, might not be allowed to come to the delivery," she told The Cut. "I had a super-panic attack and was crying uncontrollably. I have a doula, and she called me really panicked. She's supposed to be the calm in the storm, so hearing her really irate made it even more scary."
Mindy Kaling
Mindy was one of the celebs who hid her pregnancy all year long only to reveal in October that she'd had a son. No one even knew she was expecting! She later wrote about her experience on Instagram. "Being pregnant during the pandemic was a little scary, but it made me appreciate all the doctors, nurses and medical professionals who continue to work tirelessly giving treatment to those who need it, putting their own lives at risk," she said.
Nikki Bella
Many first-time moms who were pregnant during the past year missed out on milestone events — including Nikki Bella. Though she told People that she was grateful that she and her baby were healthy, she was grieving the loss of some of those experiences.
"I imagined getting pregnant forever and I had to cancel my baby shower," she said. "Anything fun that you do that you get so excited for your first time pregnant, I had to cancel, and that really bummed me out. Just going to classes with [my husband] Artem, and now we’re going to do everything online, or even going out and shopping for a baby and grabbing lunch. Just everything we do is from the computer."
Gigi Hadid
As model Gigi Hadid prepared to welcome her child with Zayn Malik, she said on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that she was doing her best to find the positives in the lockdown. "[It's a] nice silver lining to be able to be home and together and to really experience it day by day," she said.
Jade Roper
The Bachelor in Paradise star also used her pregnancy to focus on the positives during such a chaotic time. "Although this time has its uncertainties, we are so thankful and excited for this baby," she wrote on Instagram when she announced her pregnancy. "I truly believe babies being born during this time are here for a special reason, to be light workers."
