After announcing her second pregnancy with husband Tim Weatherspoon, Kelly Rowland has been keeping her 10 million Instagram fans up to date with how she's progressing – and in her latest video she revealed that she's experiencing an unexpected side effect of growing a baby (no easy feat).
Posting a video of herself in some very cosy looking loungewear, the Destiny's Child star-turned-solo artist said she's struggling to find clothes that fit over her ever-growing bump. "This is 'In The Moment', don't you love?" she says in the footage, giving a twirl, referring to her outfit from Fabletics (for which she is an ambassador). "It's very comfortable, I will say." Kelly then adds, "I mean it can't fit all of my belly, but it's all good!" and gives a laugh, before lifting her hooded sweater and revealing her bump.
One eagle-eyed fan, after watching the video, spotted that Kelly's skin on her bump has slightly changed colour – something the social media user says she experienced during pregnancy too – and commented, "I’m so happy to see her skin also darkens 😂 my pregnancy had me looking crazy!!!!"
Seeing the message, Kelly then replied that she'd noticed too and was embracing the change. "Boo, my belly is getting darker by the day and I have no complaints," the singer responded. "It IS THE MOST bizarre thing ever!"
Others joined the conversation, sharing that they'd also experienced something similar. "Mine did the same thing with my boys," said one. Another chimed in with, "I believe it's called melasma. More common in darker skinned women. Can happen all over the body. I had it with 3 of my 5 pregnancies. It definitely is bizarre, just makes me think of the wonders of the human body. Congratulations!!"
The NHS website says it's totally normal for expectant mothers to experience darkening of the skin, in particular around the nipples, in patches all over, or in the form of a line down the middle of the stomach known as linea nigra. This, it explains, is all down to hormonal changes in the body: "Hormonal changes taking place in pregnancy will make your nipples and the area around them go darker. Your skin colour may also darken a little, either in patches or all over.
Everyone's clicking on...
"Birthmarks, moles and freckles may also darken. Some women develop a dark line down the middle of their stomach. These changes will gradually fade after the baby is born, although your nipples may remain a little darker."
So although your skin changing colour during pregnancy may come as a surprise, it's nothing to worry about (that said, if you have any concerns related to your health it's always best to book in to see your GP).
Cosmopolitan UK's current issue is out now and you can SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
