Jennifer Garner Takes a Stand to Normalize Pregnant Mom’s Bodies Saying Her ‘Bump’ Isn’t Going Anywhere

Women’s bodies are scrutinized and held to a very different standard than those of men. For instance, when an older man develops a “dad bod” complete with a “beer belly,” hardly anyone cares. However, the same isn’t true for women, especially high-profile celebrities like Jennifer Garner.

Garner who’s best known for her hit TV show “Alias” and her role as the Marvel character “Electra” in 2003’s “Daredevil” movie starring her then future-husband Ben Affleck.

The power couple married in 2005 and had three children: Samuel Garner Affleck, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, and Violet Anne Affleck.

The couple divorced in 2018, but over the years, there were always rumors about Garner being pregnant due to what seemed to be a persistent “baby bump” she has whenever she doesn’t have six=pack abs.

In March 2021, Garner was a guest on an episode of the “Happy Mum, Happy Baby” Podcast hosted by Giovanna Fletcher, a show that focuses on parenting and motherhood. On the show, the actress shared her experiences regarding the ever-present pregnancy speculation along with her life as a mother, talking about everything from her post-baby body to the reason why she believes gratitude is the key to moving forward in life.

Garner’s been very busy lately working on films such as “Yes Day” and other feature films. In the episode, Garner starts by speaking about women’s bodies post-pregnancy. The mother of three says that while some women can “bounce back right away after having children, her experiences were very different.

“It’s incredible. I have so many girlfriends who have that physique, and I’m so happy for them,” she told Fletcher, only to add, “I am not one of them. That is not my gig.”

It doesn’t mean that Gardner doesn’t stay in shape, far from it. Women’s Health reports that the actress works with professional trainer Simone De La Rue to keep in shape for roles.

“We’ll do something that’s traditional strength training, and the next minute we’ll be dancing to build agility and core strength,” De La Rue told Woman’s Health. “I really mix it up, and we’re never doing one thing. She does everything, which is incredible!”

A few of the typical exercises include planks, ab exercises, lifting, and pushups, which are enough to exhaust anyone, especially a 49-year-old mother of three.

“I can work really hard, and I can be really fit and I will still look like a woman who’s had three babies, and I always will,” Garner explained in her interview with Fletcher.

Despite her workout routine and insistence that she has no desire to have any more children, that hasn’t stopped the media from creating rumors concerning Garner’s “possible” fourth pregnancy. They often imply she’s gained weight or point to what appears to be a “baby bump.”

However, on an episode of Ellen, in 2014, Garner denied these rumors while promoting body positivity.

“I am not pregnant, but I’ve had three kids and there is a bump,” Garner joked on the show. “From now on, ladies, I will have a bump, and it will be my baby bump. Let’s just all settle in and get used to it. It’s not going anywhere. Its name is Violet, Sam and Sera.”

On the podcast, Garner also shared her thoughts about that Ellen episode, on which she received uproarious applause from the audience and continues to resonate with millions of moms worldwide.

“I just thought, I might as well address it and Ellen was so sweet to let me,” Garner said. “But I just felt like we might as well?”

“It’s still happening,” she added. “I’m 48, and I’m single, and it’s still happening. So you might as well take that bull by the horns.”

However, the CommentsByCelebs Instagram account, a public account that posts replies made by prominent public figures and celebrities on social media, it seems people still ask the actress if she’s pregnant even after she explained herself to Ellen.

But, it seems the mother of three still handles such comments with grace and humor, as evidenced by her reply to a random commenter in 2020, where she had the perfect comeback.

“I am 48, have three healthy kids, and am not—and never will be—pregnant. We can lay that pupper to rest,” she wrote. “Have I gained the Covid 19? Possibly. But that is another story.”

During the podcast, Garner gave out a lot of great advice. However, perhaps the most important advice was for women to be grateful for their bodies.

“It’s just a body. Be grateful to it. It carried you this far. It carried babies for you. What else do you want? My goodness.”

She also has some advice for anyone struggling with their feelings toward themselves and how they look, encouraging people to spend time away from thinking about their reflection in the mirror.

“When you start getting super critical of yourself, turn around, pivot in that spot and go do something nice for someone else,” the actress said. “Or go work out, or just take that and make it active instead of letting it just fester in you.”

You can watch Garner’s 2014 appearance on Ellen in the video below.

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Sources:

  1. “Jennifer Garner Wants To Normalize Mothers’ Bodies — Her ‘Bump’ Isn’t Going Anywhere” Apost.