Olivia Bowen has revealed that she has been shamed by cruel trolls for posting pictures in her underwear throughout her pregnancy.
The former Love Island star, 28, opened up about the harsh judgement she has received for sharing snaps to social media of herself in lingerie while pregnant.
She admitted she felt judged from the moment she announced her pregnancy as she said there are always people who criticise her and her husband Alex’s decisions.
Critical: Olivia Bowen has revealed that she has been shamed by cruel trolls for posting pictures in her underwear throughout her pregnancy
Speaking to the C&G baby club for their #LoveDontJudge campaign, Olivia said: ‘You get judged as soon as you announce your pregnancy and there are always people who aren’t so happy for you, and we were judged, straight away.’
The expectant mother admitted she is no stranger to judgement, having experienced trolling ever since leaving the Love Island villa, as she spoke about being slammed for her underwear snaps.
She said to Alex: ‘We’ve had it for a long time haven’t we? Being judged about different things.
‘The one that annoys me the most that I had quite early on in my pregnancy was ‘you shouldn’t be posting in underwear’.’
Cruel: The former Love Island star, 28, opened up about the harsh judgement she received for sharing snaps to social media of herself posing in her lingerie
Alex, who also appeared in the campaign, admitted he has been criticised for DJing, saying people have told him he won’t be able to continue when his baby is born, despite his plans to pursue music as a career.
Olivia also spoke about other decisions that parents are judged for, including giving their baby a dummy, as she added: ‘The list is actually endless of what you get judged for.’
She went on to urge people to ‘think twice’ before writing a judgemental comment on social media.
While Alex added: ‘I think it’s time to be more supportive and less judgemental.’
Pregnancy: She admitted that she felt judged from the second she announced her pregnancy as she said there are always people who criticise her and her husband Alex’s decisions
In the video, Oliver and Alex spoke in front of a white wall with several comments written across it in support of C&G baby clubs latest awareness campaign.
From a study, seven in 10 parents said they feel judged on a regular basis on how they choose to give birth and raise their child.
The reality stars are helping promote #LoveDontJudge, which aims to raise awareness of the damaging effects of parental judgement and provide tips, impartial advice, and support through articles and a dedicated careline.
Olivia shared the campaign to her Instagram page alongside a lengthy caption where she continued to speak about her ‘shock’ at being judged during her pregnancy.
Harsh comments: Olivia admitted that cruel trolls’ critical comments have made her feel ‘scared’ and question her ability as she called for people to be less judgemental
She admitted that she has been hit by floods of comments slamming her parenting abilities before her child is even born, adding that her diet had also come under fire.
Olivia admitted that cruel trolls’ critical comments have made her feel ‘scared’ and question her ability as she called for people to be less judgemental.
She candidly penned: Alex and I are no strangers to judgement! Ever since entering the villa we’ve had comments and opinions thrown our way, but when we announced we were pregnant I was shocked at the number of negative messages I received.
‘Criticising our parenting abilities before we’ve even had a chance to get our heads around this next stage of our lives! Comments on my diet, how baby-friendly our house is, to criticising me for posing in my underwear on my social media.
Exciting: Olivia shared the happy news she was pregnant with her first child with Alex on New Year’s Day
‘To be frank, it’s made me feel scared and is already making me question my ability to be a parent. These judgements must stop, not just for me but all parents and carers.
‘We spent some time reflecting on the volume of comments not just Alex and myself have received but other parents too and it was truly overwhelming. This video brings some of those to life.’
Olivia shared the happy news she was pregnant with her first child with Alex on New Year’s Day.
The couple previously revealed they are not finding out the sex of the baby before it is born in June, and wanted their nursery to be ‘gender neutral’.
Birth: The couple previously revealed they are not finding out the sex of the baby before it is born in June, and wanted their nursery to be ‘gender neutral’
Earlier this year, Olivia told MailOnline of her pregnancy: ‘I’m so excited to become a Mum.
‘It feels very surreal still to even say it, but we both can’t wait for the next part of our lives. Alex is going to be the best dad – he’s so caring, kind and a big kid at heart.
‘My pregnancy is going really fast; We still both can’t quite believe it’s happening.
‘We’re having to stop ourselves buying all the baby clothes at the moment, we just get too excited.
‘Our family and friends were so shocked when we told them, but I just knew very early on, you know your body. We’re not going to find out what we’re having, I think the surprise will make it extra special.’
Olivia and Alex, formerly a sales executive and scaffolder respectively, soared to fame in 2016 when they appeared on the ITV2 reality show, where she was an original star and he, a late and extremely popular entrant.
After leaving the villa their romance soon when from strength to strength and Alex popped the question in New York in 2016.
Loved-up couple Olivia and Alex tied the knot in a luxurious Essex ceremony two years after meeting on Love Island during series two.
Throwback: The couple soared to fame in 2016 when they appeared on the ITV2 reality show, where she was an original star and he, a late and extremely popular entrant
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk