Is Kate Middleton Too Skinny For Pregnancy?

Being part of the royal family can’t be easy.

But for pregnant Kate Middleton, it must be even more challenging. The Duchess of Cambridge was recently seen leaving the hospital after being treated for morning sickness, and the press had a heyday making up reasons as to why she needed medical care. The main target? Her weight.

Too thin for a baby?

This isn’t the first time that Middleton’s weight has been a subject of public scrutiny. Last year, Katie Couric said that Middleton “needs to eat more because she’s too thin.” Kate was also featured on many pro-anorexia sites and has been idolized by young girls who want to be as thin as her.

The newest attacks on Kate seem to be that she’s too thin to carry a child or that she’s unhealthy because of her weight. But Dr. George Macones, who chairs the committee on obstetric practice for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), says Middleton should be fine.

“For the most part, people who are thin do very well during pregnancy,” said Macones.

He says that thin pregnant women can have normal outcomes and may even have better pregnancies than heavy women, who are more prone to high blood pressure or other health complications.

Celeb pregnancy bashing

Kate joins the likes of celebrities such as Jessica Simpson or Giuliana Rancic–both who were bashed in the media for being too fat (Simpson) and thin (Rancic) during their pregnancies.

Susan Shapiro Barash, a professor of gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College, says that Middleton can be a source of inspiration for pregnant women–especially when it comes to them dealing with their fluctuating body sizes or things like morning sickness.

“If you’re as sick as she is, you will feel soothed knowing she felt like that too. However [Middleton] looks, however she dresses, however much weight she gains, women will want to do that,” said Barash.

Source: TIME