Kelly Rose Bradford
Netmums contributorThe soon-to-be mum of 2 had packed trousers to wear on the beach but spurned them for a bikini, saying said she didn't ever want her daughter Mia to feel like 'she should cover herself, especially on the beach'
Fans have heaped praise on pregnant actress Gemma Atkinson as she shared some beautiful pics of her recent family holiday and explained the reasons behind her decision to wear a bikini.
Gemma, 38, and her Strictly dance pro partner Gorka Marquez are expecting their second child, and revealed in January that it's a little boy . The pair are already parents to 3-year-old Mia.
'Even though I'm aware of how clever my body is, Iโve never been as swollen'
Gemma admitted that she'd had reservations about donning a bikini on her hols, and had even packed a pair of trousers to wear on the beach, telling her followers she felt 'swollen and bloated' and had never had 'as much cellulite in my life'.
She wrote:
'I bought some beach trousers to wear on this holiday because even though I'm aware of why itโs happening and how clever my body is, Iโve never been as swollen, bloated, uncomfortable in everyday tasks and had as much cellulite in my life. My boobs alone are three cup sizes up!
'Second pregnancy , almost four years older and with a little boy this time itโs been a lot harder on my body. (I know how we feel about our bodies is relevant to the individual and itโs just how I currently feel in MY body). I got to the beach on day one of this holiday, looked at Mia playing and I suddenly felt relaxed.'
'I don't ever want her to feel she should cover herself'
Gemma went on to explain how it suddenly occurred to her that her little girl might read in to what her mum was wearing in a way that could go on to have a negative effect on how she viewed her own body.
'It dawned on me if I kept them on that sheโd ask why Iโm in trousers and I thought about the negative effect it could have on her down the line me saying 'because mummyโs legs and bum are a lot bigger than usual',' she continued.
'I donโt ever want her to feel like she should cover herself, especially on the beach! So the pants came in handy to wipe up my non-alcoholic cocktail but other than that, they havenโt been needed! I've worn my bikinis every day.'
'The top of my thighs chaffed like a MF but we had an absolute blast on the beach and made the most incredible memories as a family. I canโt believe that next time weโll have little man with us as a family of four. Weโre so lucky and so blessed.'
What did her fans have to say about her post?
Well her biggest fan, her partner Gorka, was straight in there with the praise!
'You look perfect to me!' he wrote (awwwww!).
'You look absolutely incredible and you and Gorka are totally couples and family goals,' added one of her followers.
'You look bloody fantastic!' said another.
'Love how body confident you are, also how real you parent Mia,' wrote a third.
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Meanwhile, Gorka posted his own series of snaps of their gorgeous getaway on Insta, and said it was the 'best holiday' and that he was 'already dreaming of the next one'.
Gemma and Gorka have been an item since 2018, having met on Strictly. They welcomed their daughter Mia in July 2019, and Gemma announced their engagement on Valentine's Day 2021, with a cute coupled-up pic, and the caption: 'Valentineโs forever... Of course I said yes โค๏ธ'
We love Gemma's body positivity, and the fabulous message she is sending to her little girl. Because all bodies are beach bodies, right?
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