Uber-sexy pictures of supermodel Miranda Kerr after her delivery stunned the world. Just weeks after her delivery, the Pirates of the Caribbean star Penelope Cruz looked sensational when she made a public appearance in a red figure-hugging dress. Weeks after gorgeous Natalie Portman brought Aleph into the world, the Black Swan star looked as slender and shapely as ever.

Does motherhood make a woman more attractive? We vote, yes, it does. It’s no different here in India, where stars stay stunning after giving birth. There are some fine examples in Bollywood, from the evergreen bombshell Malaika Arora Khan to the southern siren Sridevi who left men gaping after she walked the green carpet in a red gown. Let’s not forget Dream Girl Hema Malini, who’s looking more desirable by the day.
Looking gorgeous while strutting down mother-to-be street are tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi’s wife Lara Dutta, and Bachchan bahu, Aishwarya Rai.
Ace celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani believes motherhood makes a perfect picture. “We have many beautiful moms like Konkona, Hema Maliniji and Sridevi. Motherhood changes a woman’s aura, it makes her more attractive and confident. When you feel good from within it shows on your face, your whole appearance changes and you form a lovely portrait. It is all about being happy inside, so the happiness shows on the outside.”
No longer does motherhood mean putting one’s career on the backburner. Prasad Bidapa, grooming expert and fashion choreographer, asks, “Why do so many of us still have the mindset that if a woman is a mother, it’s the end of the road for her career? We have to change this mentality. It is hormonally proved that pregnancy improves your skin and hair. And if you put on weight strategically, it is easier to lose weight after delivery. It is a myth that in India mothers eat for two, putting a tablespoon or two of ghee over everything!” he laughs.
Does he notice an emotional or character change after models become mothers? He replies, “I have not seen a before-and-after pregnancy change in a model. Noyonika Chatterjee was among the first to deliver a child and is still successful in her modelling career.”
Looking half her age, model Alicia Raut believes pregnancy has worked its magic for her. “I know I do not look my age and for me delivering a child has worked wonders. I am more confident and have sharper features.”
Being a single mother, juggling work and child is a very difficult task, and Alica credits her parents for their support. “Being a single mother, it does become difficult to manage work and child. It is only because of my parents that I am able to juggle it all. I come home knowing that someone is always waiting for me and it is a very special feeling.”
The still-shapely Munni explains how motherhood is an achievement. “I think some of our biggest women achievers are mothers and this is testimony to the fact that having a baby doesn’t pose an obstacle to success. Just look at someone like Madhuri Dixit, she might not have had a blockbuster to her credit post-motherhood, but the lady still has the ability to make men stop in their tracks and set hearts on fire,” says Malaika Arora Khan.
Becoming a mother brings its own baggage. “I think having a baby makes one more responsible. You are better at managing your time and can prioritise well. Also, you are extra sensitive to the needs of those around you and are more intuitive. Trust me, that makes a huge difference,” smiles Malaika.
Model Jesse Randhawa seconds this. After tying the knot with choreographer Sandip Soparkar who adopted a child, Jesse says a child teaches you many lessons. “Having a child teaches you so much, you grow every day. Today everyone is independent and just as you would go back to your office, it’s the same for us,” she smiles.
Motherhood is the highest accomplishment of womanhood, says India’s leading holistic guru Mickey Mehta. “Once a woman is married, she completes herself. She sees the flowers blossom and come to life. Motherhood is the highest order of womanhood and so a mother becomes content and fulfilled. Because she is content and happy she glows.”
Do hormones make a difference? “When a woman walks down the road to motherhood, she is peaking her metabolism to protect her child. She blossoms even during the stages of breast-feeding, as mothering a child is a hands-on task. Seeing her child happy, she is content, glows even more, and carries herself with a lot of confidence,” says Mehta.
Fashion designer Rina Dhaka has two children and still looks phenomenal. “Right after my first child I put on a little weight, but you can lose that right after your pregnancy. That is why Malaika, Konkona and Hema Malini look fabulous today. I am a big Hema Malini fan. Hormonally your skin does have a glow and your hair tends to shine. There are models who look phenomenal when they are carrying.”
Acclaimed writer Shobhaa De says, “Let’s be brutally honest — motherhood is not a magic wand that can convert a plain Jane into an overnight apsara. Happy motherhood can only enhance the potential in you. It provides a special glow that has more to do with hormones than anything else. Any woman who enjoys her babies begins to resemble a Madonna cradling Christ. It is the post-pregnancy care that adds to a young mother’s attractiveness. The choice is yours — let yourself go after delivery and resemble a cow, or look after your health and fitness and wow the world. Becoming a mother is a life-altering experience. It certainly transformed every aspect of my life for the better.”
Supermodel Sapna Kumar was a size eight even while three months pregnant, says Rina, adding, “Some are outstanding, like model Feroze Gujral met me 10 days after delivering her child wearing high-waisted trousers! Amazing. It all depends on your fitness levels and control. It is also important to breast-feed to contract your stomach muscles.”
Consultant gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, Amudha Hari believes anyone who is careful about the way they look, can do it. “You are fulfilled once you become a mother, mentally you’re satisfied and that shows on your face. Between the ages of 30 to 40 you are at your physical best.”
Medically, does pregnancy make a woman pretty? Founder of Purple Alley and a relationship counsellor, Dr Kamal Khurana says, “Giving birth to a life and seeing it progress fulfils you. When a mother is internally and eternally satisfied, the glow shows on her face, making her very desirable.”