"Pregnant" Before Pregnancy: China's Latest Social Media Craze

Image: scmp.com

A new trend has swept across Chinese social media: young, unmarried women are donning fake bellies to capture "maternity photos" before actually becoming pregnant.

This "pre-set photoshoot" phenomenon sees women aiming to preserve cherished moments while they're at their peak physical appearance. While shocking some older generations, it reflects a shift in Chinese society, with declining marriage and birth rates.

Image: scmp.com

The trend gained national attention after a popular influencer, "Meizi Gege," shared her pre-set maternity photoshoot. Her video garnered millions of views, sparking widespread discussion.

"While I'm still slim, I wore a fake belly to enjoy a 'pre-made life,'" Meizi Gege declared. "I even did it with my best friend!"

The video showcased the process, from attaching accessories to donning the prosthetic belly. The influencer's enthusiasm was contagious, with viewers expressing interest in following suit.

"I'm going to buy a fake belly and take maternity photos while I am still at my slimmest!" one viewer commented.

The trend reflects a desire to capture the beauty of pregnancy without the potential for body image changes later on.

Easy to Achieve, Raises Concerns

Pre-set maternity photos are surprisingly easy to create. Fake bellies are readily available online in various sizes and textures to simulate different stages of pregnancy.

However, critics raise concerns about the potential impact on women's body image.

"These photos often suggest that women must maintain a youthful, slim figure during pregnancy, an unrealistic expectation," one critic noted.

The trend has sparked lively online debates.

"I will shoot my 70th birthday photos now and then post them on social media later," one user joked. "It will make me look so young!"

Another quipped, "I must take more photos while I am still young, so I can use them for online dating when I am older."

Image: scmp.com

Image: scmp.com

Source: scmp.com