Karishma Kapoor - My Yummy Mummy Guide: From Getting Pregnant to Losing All the Weight and Beyond

Born into a family that was into films, my destiny seemed set. And I loved every minute of it. I made my acting debut at the age of 16 and I did it with so much passion. From commercial films to arty ones, I tried it all. I loved the glamour, the sets and the people. But a part of me kept feeling that I was missing something. The nagging feeling didnt go away till I finally decided to get married and have children. Despite having a National Award and 4 Filmfare awards, my biggest achievement will always remain the birth of my children, Samaira and Kiaan.

Ive learnt more about life from motherhood than from acting, winning awards and being in the limelight. Being a parent allows you to learn something new about yourself and another human being every day. Thats lifes greatest learning. The journey of any actress can be revealed on any website. But the path a mother takes is individual and personal. I wanted to share my journey with you. A journey that is filled with moments of love, laughter, doubt, fatigue, strength and perseverancethe passage of a woman from being in the public eye to becoming a nappy changer. Ive been there and done it all. And Im still learning today.

Many of my friends disagreed with me when I chose to concentrate on my children instead of films, berating me about how I was giving up a legacy. However, I continued to work even after marriage and children. I found the balance. It may not be as hectic as before, but its far more rewarding. The path from being a svelte Bollywood actress to a pregnant woman who had put on 24 kilos during her pregnancy and coming back to the thin me was more challenging than the role in Zubeidaa! I wanted to reveal my secrets to everyone.

A director could always tell me what to say, what to wear and what to do on a set. As a mother, I needed to learn on my own how my body changed and what my soul needed. It was gruelling. There are some days when life is tiring and you want to give up. I can now understand each mothers feelings and relate to them better. I know how hard it is to lose weight, eat right, exercise, be happy for your kids, balance a career and still be social. I finally understand what my mother meant when she said, It isnt easy being a mom but its the best thing that can happen to you. I now appreciate her more. Motherhood made me a better woman. I wanted to share how with everyone out there.

So this book is about all those feelings. My feelings that you will not find on the Internet. My thoughts and tips on pregnancy, motherhood and lifesomething which no one has ever written about. This book is a legacy to my children more than my films will ever be. It is my way of holding hands with all the mothers out there, saying, I get you. This book is my way of encouraging all those who are unable to find the balance and feel stressed out in their daily life, coping with motherhood. This book is my personal journey, the one that Im most proud of. And I hope you can take something from it as well.

Great(er) Expectations

Of Conceiving and Birthing, of Preparing and Caring

Getting Pregnant

I did not believe I was pregnant when I took the first test and it showed up positive. Thats why I needed to do five more to be absolutely sure.

Id bought the home pregnancy test kits from a medical store one afternoon. As soon as I came home, I wanted to do the test. My period had been late for a week and I hadnt told a soul. I had been planning a child with my husband, yes, but it seemed quite incredible that it could happen so suddenly. When the first result was positive, I didnt believe itsitting on the pot in the bathroom, wondering if it could be right. I used a kit from another company and checked again. Positive. But I slept on it.

The next morning, I did a few more tests. Why? Because they say that morning urine tells you the truth. As if afternoon pee has been corrupted! Same result, each time. Positive. Positive. Positive. I was pregnant! And thats when, in sheer joy, I told my husband.

He was surprised too. Really? he said. Are you sure? Boy, that was fast! We hadnt expected that we would get pregnant in one shot but we had. Both times! I think I know exactly when Samaira and Kiaan were conceived. I can actually put a finger on it and say, Yeah, that was the moment!

Then, I told Kareena. In her regular sisterly voice, she warned me, Keep it quiet for some time, till youre out of the danger zone! I love my sister for that. No matter how modern the characters she portrays on screen, deep down she believes in the traditional way of life, especially during pregnancy and motherhood. Finally, I told my mom and the rest of the family, and everyone was extremely supportive and thrilled for me. But I remember Kareena calling me the entire day and exclaiming, Oh my God, Im going to be a maasi.