Maternity the Celebrity Way

Weight gain and swollen ankles may make being pregnant the last thing a lot of women want documented in pictures. But just because things may get bigger and spread and you’re a walking contradiction for nine months, both nauseous and famished at the same time, and sweating even in the dead of winter, it doesn’t mean you look a mess (and even if you do, you’re about to bring a life into the world; that in itself is beautiful). Rest assured the following celebs were gorgeous before and after, and they probably have lots of help looking super Hot even during contractions, but even so, there’s something about pregnancy that just makes them look that much prettier.

1.  Tia Mowry

Ms. Mowry (or technically Mrs. Hardrict if you so prefer), made her baby bump look every bit of adorable every time the camera flashed. For most of her pregnancy you could catch her glowing in cute wrap dresses, Hot slouchy sweaters and even nothing at all for a nude photo shoot showcasing her baby bump. “I know there are people out there who say there is nothing Hot about being pregnant. Then there are some people who embrace the sexuality. I feel empowered; I feel Hot,” remarked “The Game” actress who welcomed baby boy Cree with husband Cory Hardrict on June 28.

2.  Alicia Keys

Before baby Egypt Daoud Dean made his debut into the world he could be found at the 2010 BET Awards while his mother, Alicia Keys, gave a performance dedicated to Prince on top of a piano. Safe to say her acrobatics made audiences everywhere nervous. Baby Egypt could also be found sailing across the coast of France on a yacht during his parents’ honeymoon and covered in a Grecian-style inspired Vera Wang gown while his parents said, “I do.” Keys was everything a woman should be while pregnant: glowing and gorgeous.

3.  Paula Patton

Paula Patton is a class act, and her pregnancy followed suit. No matter how she may have been feeling, she always looked polished and refined pregnant, being spotted in flowing evening gowns with lots of draping for magazine covers and cute cocktail dresses while gracing the red carpet.  Paula and husband, Robin Thicke welcomed baby boy Julian Fuego in April of last year.

4.  Mel. B

If you were hating on how sick Mel B.’s body was when she wasn’t pregnant, well you’ll really hate her now. Melanie Brown wears pregnancy well and isn’t afraid to be bold with her baby bump. Girlfriend can often be found sporting bikinis and cut off tops during her last trimesters. One thing is for sure, Mel B. has found the perfect balance between sugar and spice and is expecting her first child with husband Stephen Belafonte this summer.

5.  Nia Long

When pictures of Nia Long rising from the waters on a sandy beach looking ever so cool surfaced this summer, we couldn’t help from dropping our jaws at how utterly stunning she was. Oh and did I mention she’s pregnant? Nia’s one of those people whom pregnancy somehow makes them look even more gorgeous.

6.  Keyshia Cole

You might miss “Let Him Go” the I-Hate-Men-So-Much-Right-Now type songs of her past, but you can’t deny that happiness suits Keyshia Cole well.  Since meeting her new husband, NBA player, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson,  Keyshia Cole has been brimming with smiles and positive words, and becoming a mother has brought a softer side to the singer that makes us glad to see her back on the music scene that much more.

7.  Halle Berry

I don’t doubt that once news of Halle Berry’s pregnancy broke, there were women around the world rejoicing in her first step towards looking a bit more average and a bit less phenomenal. Those women are still drowning in disappointment because if anything, maternity made Ms. Berry absolutely radiant. Halle was very versatile with her hair and fashion, always appearing Hot but sophisticated.

8.  Christina Milian

It’s no secret that Christina Milian has always looked cute, but motherhood took Christina from cute-girl-next-door-status to a certified grown and Hot banger. Christina always was caught with a bright smile and made being pregnant look, well, kind of fun. Milian and producer/singer, Terius “The Dream” Nash (her ex-husband) are proud parents of 1-year-old daughter Violet.

9.  Reagan Gomez-Preston

The sweet and sassy starlet who once starred alongside Robert Townsend on “The Parenthood” is now stepping in her TV dad’s shoes as the actress and her husband, DeWayne Turrentine, recently welcomed their son Tyger into the world to join his sister Scarlett. Never one to look anything less than hot, Reagan could be spotted wearing stilettos while carrying her bundle. One of my Twitter faves, she allowed fans a peek into her pregnancy often tweeting things like, “My belly was so petite with Scarlett.  But this big headed boy is trying to keep me away from my bikini forever.  I will win this battle son!”