Jaime King Defends Pregnant Moms in American Baby, Says She Knows "What It Feels Like to Be Body-Shamed"

"Pregnancy is the ultimate symbol of womanhood, beauty and sensuality," the actress says

By Zach Johnson Jul 10, 2015 4:52 PMTags
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Jaime King is embracing her new curves.

The TV star, who is expecting her second child with husband Kyle Newman, explains why she dares to bare in American Baby's August issue. "Pregnancy is the ultimate symbol of womanhood, beauty and sensuality, so make it a celebration of creating life. You don't have to hide anything or try to suck in your belly. Why not put on things that are tighter, flashier, or more fun? Wearing formfitting clothes totally counteracts that voice inside of us that says, 'Ugh, I just want to lie down all day and sleep," the Hart of Dixie actress explains. "I feel it's really important to feel good about yourself, and fashion is part of that."

That said, King tells the magazine she understands why some women are uncomfortable showing off their baby bumps. "I know what it feels like to be body-shamed. People have made comments about how I'm too thin and need to eat a sandwich. I've seen it happen with other pregnant women in this business too—we're either too thin or put on too much weight. But every woman's body is different," the actress says. "All that matters is that you're taking care of the nutrition for yourself and your child."

"Don't let other people get you down, and don't put other women down, either."

King welcomed her first son, James Knight Newman, on Oct. 6, 2013.

Jessica Alba is her son's godmother, and Taylor Swift is Baby No. 2's godmother.

When the time came to pick godmothers, King recalls, "I asked myself, 'God forbid anything happened to me, would she take care of my child as if he were her own? What kind of morals would she instill? Will she be backup support if for any reason my child doesn't want to come to me for something?' I looked for giving people whom I admire, and those two give more than anyone I've ever met."

King loves "every part" of motherhood, "probably because of how long it took me to get pregnant—seven years—and all that I went through with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome," she says.

The best thing about her son, she says, is that "he does not hold on to hurt feelings, so he' s given me a get-over-yourself attitude. Now when something bothers me, I think, 'I should be like James Knight and get over it in two seconds.'" King continues, "Parents can really learn from kids about letting go. Every time I look at my son, he makes me want to be a better person."