Is Pregnancy Sexy (& Should It Be)?

I guess you could say it all started with the infamous Demi Moore...You remember, that one magazine cover that gave rise to an entire social debate over whether or not a pregnant female body is or should be considered sexy...If you were living in a cave during the early '90s, let me refresh your memory. Naked Pregnant Woman appeared on cover of magazine, making the public question their own ideas of decency, femininity, and the sanctity that is considered Motherhood. The debate has raged on, though to a lesser degree, with the introduction of Britney Spears' cover.

Now, what I find particularly intriguing about this topic is that on one hand women want to be sexy. They want men, or women if they are lesbians, to desire them. While on the other hand they also want to be wives and mothers. (I am speaking very generally here, so please don't post tons of responses about this!) But is this really on the other hand, or is being a mother also supposed to be sexy? Considering that pregnancy takes up the better part of a year, add to that the breastfeeding period, and then the disheveled toddler period, this "Complete Momminess" lasts for at least 5 years, and that is with only one child. During these years I am sure women still want to be considered sexy. They still want their husbands to look at them like they are the most delicious thing in the kitchen...That said, why was Demi, and now Britney, so controversial?

The answer seems to be twofold. The first part has to do with women and their own self identifications. The very ideal of Motherhood is one of Pure Goodness, Unconditional Giving, Selflessness, Sainthood! Mixed with these ideas are all sorts of religious undertones, making Motherhood itself almost a state of perpetual Holiness (think Virgin Mary...that's right, VIRGIN!). And we wonder why we are so confused as women as to what we want to be...Sex Goddess or Virgin Mother?! The answer is sadly...Both. I say sadly not because it is wrong to want both images, but because our society still views the two simultaneous states of womanhood as a dichotomy. We as normal, everyday women, feel confused and guilty for wanting our husbands and lovers to drool over us, even when we are pregnant, even when we are changing diapers, (yes...even then!). It is no wonder that when confronted with an image of a blatantly sexualized pregnant body, women feel torn...Is it good that Demi is still "hot" or is she being a "bad mother" already? And how dare she flaunt it in our faces that she has already come to terms with this largely unconscious issue?!

The second part has to do with men and how they should react to a pregnant body according to women. If women within themselves struggle to come to a consensus about whether pregnancy should be sexy, what on earth should the men think? In reality, what do the men think?

Well, what do you think? Are pregnant women sexy? Is motherhood a sexy state of being? Do you feel guilty about being attracted to your pregnant wife? Are you not attracted to your pregnant wife for any of these reasons...or are you just turned off by her bigger body?

I would love to know, so please click on the "comments" link below! Your views are very much appreciated!