TV actors Smriti Khanna and Gautam Gupta became proud parents to a baby girl on April 15, 2020. Now, exactly a week later, the new Mommy in town has spoken exclusively to us about this new phase of her life.
Here's our conversation:
Congratulations on the arrival of your li’l princess….
Thank you so much!
How does it feel now, as you you’ve turned a Mommy?
Our sleepless nights have begun (laughs). However, I’m getting habituated to it. The problem is that due to this lockdown, we don't have any help around us plus we don’t want to risk it by calling someone.
Considering the situation outside, were you afraid while bringing the baby back home?
Yes I was, hence we got the staff tested before taking the baby home.
Weight gain?
I am 9 kg up from my actual weight as I was very thin earlier, but hence it’s not really visible. I hope to lose these 9 kilos within the next 45 days.
What was your fitness mantra during pregnancy which helped you to control your body?
Honestly, I didn't do any rigorous workout and being a foodie, I didn't compromise with my pregnancy cravings. I used to mainly control the quantity. I continued my walks till the last day of my delivery. I used to walk 6000 steps, if not at one go, then at least through the day, but I followed it rigorously. I also got pelvic girdle pain which was very bad. I remember main karvat bhi nahi le paati thi.
Aur haan, I used to do Yoga thrice a week and in lockdown, I continued doing it till the end online with the help of Zoom App. For pregnant ladies, Yoga helps a lot.
Did you follow any kind of special diet?
I didn't do any dieting because it's not advisable for pregnant women. My doctor had advised me to reduce the size of meals though and asked me to eat in moderate amounts at regular intervals- because the baby needs it that way. A lot of pregnant women have this myth that if you are expecting you have to eat double but that's not correct. In fact you should eat healthy so that the baby gets the right amount of nutrients at the right time.
What were your cravings like?
I had some weird cravings like I remember, during winters I was craving for mango milkshake of a special kind. Then my other cravings included waffles, elachi flavoured cream biscuit. Gautam struggled a lot to bring me that particular flavor of cream biscuit from the market.
Any fitness regime that you follow now?
At least for 6 weeks, I’m not supposed to do any sort of workouts, as has been suggested by my doctor. But yes, I am pretty active and have begun walking. In fact, the day I delivered, I took shower by myself in an hour’s time as it was a normal delivery. Now also, I’m not doing anything in particular to lose weight. Certain people have been under this impression that I’m doing something about it, but that's okay.
It must have been scary going to the hospital after labour pain during this pandemic situation…
Honestly, I used to feel scared even during my doctor visits. But the day I was going for my delivery, I kept myself positive throughout. When we reached the hospital, there were not too many people as they had stopped taking admissions, so only the maternity and emergency wards were open in Hinduja Hospital, Khar. After every two hours, they were sanitising, so it made me feel secure. Thankfully, everything went smoothly and after my delivery, I didn't watch any news for 3 days as I didn't want any negative thoughts in my head.
Was Gautam inside the labour room with you?
Yes he was there; in fact he has been my backbone throughout and has supported so much that at times I feel how would I manage without him by my side. Even when the baby feels cranky, he picks her in his arms and sits with her for hours at at a stretch. He makes sure that she doesn't cry; he is a perfect father and a complete husband material (laughs).
Have you and Gautam decided on the name?
Not yet and that's why we haven't shared her name on social media as well. During my baby shower also, I had kept two boards and asked our friends to suggest names amongst which we had shortlisted one, but coincidentally, one of my cousins who is based in Australia has chosen that name for her baby girl. So now, we are looking for a new name.
When are you planning to introduce her face to the world?
We haven't planned anything of that sort and I am not very superstitious. But, she is too tiny and delicate. I want her to grow up first. I will surely click a nice picture soon and put it up.
How did the shopping for the baby go?
Our shopping was done months back as we had gone to Europe (Switzerland) in December with Gautam's family. We had gone with 4 bags and came back with 10. It’s just that things are not in pink and blue colors, it’s more of white and grey. Also, my mother-in-law only shopped for diapers prior to this lockdown. So that way, we are sorted luckily.
Image Source:- Instagram/smriti_khanna