Jaime King shocked to discover her pregnancy was a disability

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

It's safe to say Jaime King absolutely loves being pregnant. The actress and model, who is currently expecting another child with husband Kyle Newman, has opened up to American Baby about her growing body confidence as well as what surprised her about becoming a first-time mom.

“I know what it feels like to be body-shamed," the woman who welcomed son James 21 months ago explained. "People have made comments about how I’m too thin and need to eat a sandwich. I’ve seen it happen with other pregnant women in this business too – we’re either too thin or put on too much weight."

She went on to advise, "But every woman’s body is different…all that matters is that you’re taking care of the nutrition for yourself and your child. So don’t let other people get you down, and don’t put other women down either."

Despite being confident in that aspect of pregnancy, Jaime King had a lot to learn about being a new mom when James was first born.

When asked about the most surprising thing she's learned on her journey to motherhood the 36-year-old shared:

“Finding out that my job [starring on Hart of Dixie] considered my pregnancy a disability. I was like, ‘I can’t take three months off without getting paid. I have a child to support.’ I went back to work after six weeks. It was really difficult trying to navigate that. I realized I was living in a world that so many other working moms are living in.”

Right now I have to admit I didn't know pregnancies fall under disabilities either! I feel sort of silly for not knowing, but then again I never had the kind of job that offered any leave during my pregnancies and early weeks as a parent.

Sure enough, the BabyCenter resource page on maternity leave explains: "Short-term disability is meant to cover your salary — or a portion of it — during the time that you're unable to do your job due to illness, injury, or childbirth."

Is it odd to see the welcoming of a new life into the world as categorized next to illness and injury? I'm curious to hear what you think.

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Were you able to take maternity leave? How was it covered?

Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages