Lucy Mecklenburgh has opened up to fans about how her pregnancy weight gain was deemed 'not healthy' under NHS guidelines. The former The Only Way is Essex star announced she was expecting her second child in November.
She and fiancé Ryan Thomas are already parents to son Roman and revealed in February that they are set to welcome a baby girl in late spring, telling Hello: "We can't wait. I had an inkling that I was having a girl, but I was a bit more unsure than with Roman."
Lucy, 30, had now shared a fresh pregnancy update after inviting her Instagram followers to ask her their questions. One asked how much weight she had put on during her second pregnancy.
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Sharing a stunning mirror selfie of herself showing off her blossoming baby bump in a black underwear set, the mum-to-be shared her shock that NHS guidelines told her the amount she'd gained wasn't healthy. She wrote alongside the image: "I wasn't sure whether to answer this question or not but actually I think it is important to discuss how normal it is to gain weight in pregnancy."
She continued: "It's healthy and inevitable to put on weight during pregnancy. I've gained 3 stone so far. Which is apparently way more than the NHS say is healthy which shocked me a little. When pregnant with Romano it was 5 stone. I am not restricting myself while pregnant but equally I don't believe you need to eat for 2!"
Lucy didn't go in any further detail on the matter but according to the NHS, most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 26lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20, adding that extra weight is due to the baby growing and your body also storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.
Lucy was also asked if she was 'ready' for her baby girl's arrival and if her hospital bag was packed. Sharing a picture of an outdoor line filled with freshly-washed baby grows, the TV star and businesswoman replied: "Nearly ready!! My mum just sent me this haha.
"She washed all Roman's newborn bits and wanted to do it again. Which is fine bye me," she laughed. "So just need to pop some buba clothes in my hospital bag and away and I'm pretty much ready."
Lucy announced she was expecting again in November when she shared a photo on Instagram. The adorable post showed her cradling her baby bump while her son looked at his own bare stomach. "Here we go again," she wrote alongside the sweet snap which was quickly flooded with comments.
Former Coronation Street star Ryan and Lucy, who got engaged in the summer of 2019 during a picture-perfect trip to the Italian cliffside village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast, are currently renovating a home in Cheshire after Ryan bought the property without Lucy even viewing it.
The loved-up couple welcomed their first child together, Roman Ravello Thomas, in March 2020 - just before the UK went into lockdown. Ryan also has an 13-year-old daughter Scarlett with his ex Tina O'Brien, who plays Sarah Barlow in Corrie.
