Peloton instructor Ally Love gives birth to son, talks 'pressures' of pregnancy

Well-known Peloton instructor Ally Love gave birth to her first child on August 20th – but prior to his birth, she had not commented about her pregnancy in the media due to the “added pressure” pregnant women often feel. 

Key Takeaways:

• Peloton instructor Ally Love and her husband have announced the birth of their first baby, noting that Love never made a public announcement about her pregnancy.

• Love stated that she intentionally chose privacy, as pregnancy comes with "added pressure."

• Many women have expressed similar sentiments, adding that pregnant women frequently receive unwelcome comments and advice, even from strangers.

The Details:

Love and her husband, Andrew Haynes, had kept their pregnancy private from the media despite the buzzing rumors about her growing belly and wardrobe choices. In her birth announcement post, Love shared that she intentionally chosen to keep her pregnancy private because she needed to “focus on simply making it through without the added pressure”:

She also expressed empathy for how sensitive comments and conversations regarding pregnancy can be:

This was a conscious choice. The journey was challenging, and I needed to focus on simply making it through without the added pressure…. 

I understand how pregnancy-related conversations can be sensitive and triggering, and it was essential for me to create a safe space for myself and others.

Sometimes, the visible changes of pregnancy speak volumes, and that was enough transparency for me during that time."

After her son’s birth, Love posted on Instagram, “Our hearts are overflowing: Meet our SON. What a beautiful blessing this has been to expand our family, our love, and enter into a new phase of our life together!” 

Why It Matters:

Social media has exploded with moms sharing their experiences receiving comments directed toward them during pregnancy that, while likely well-meant, are not always received well in the middle of pregnancy. 

Comments ranging from the size and shape of the baby bump and weight gain, to questions about parenting preferences like breast or bottle-feeding, cosleeping, and so much more can create a vulnerable setting for new and even experienced parents that can be incredibly overwhelming. 

Empathetic and understanding phrases like, “You are going to be such a great mom,” or, “I can see that you care so much about how to take care of your little one,” can be absolutely life-giving to a mom in the trenches. 

When someone doesn’t know what to say to a pregnant mother, something as simple as truly listening to how the mom is really feeling about her pregnancy without telling her to “get ready” for the next phase can do so much to help a mother feel loved and encouraged.

The Bottom Line:

It is important to encourage expectant mothers instead of placing added pressures on them during what is already a time full of changes, anxieties, hopes, and expectations.

In her Instagram post, Love continued, “Now that we are here, I feel ready to share! I’ve reached a point where I can breathe deeply, shed joyful tears, and fully embrace our baby. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, literally the wildest ride of life (so far), …WOW. This new found love for my son is beyond and the love I have for my husband is unmatched.”