Pakistani showbiz mums show how it's done

Zara Noor Abbas, others set a realistic example

Actor Aymen Saleem set her Instagram handle ablaze on Thursday by sharing her ethereal pregnancy photo shoot. Three artistically crafted shots highlight the Chupke Chupke actor clad in a billowing dress cradling her baby bump.

As Aymen looks ready to navigate motherhood from her perch in the world of showbiz, the pressure to look perfect may be on. However, the past few months have shown that celebrity mothers have been paving the way to set a relatable example that will resonate with their fellow young mothers.

Zara Noor Abbas, for example, welcomed her baby daughter in March. In August, the Paray Hut Love actor posted a bare-faced, unedited photo of herself as she paid tribute to the first few months of motherhood. However, to prove that it is unrealistic to expect a tired mother to always look her best, Zara ended her caption with the relatable words, "No photoshop [or] body editing has been done because I respect and appreciate my body for being so miraculous."

If Aymen wants further proof that it is not necessary to cave to society's pressure, she can also look to actor Minal Khan, who spoke up for new mothers in July on her Instagram handle. With her baby eight months old at the time, the Ishq Hai actor confessed, "The pressure is taking a toll on me. The pressure of bouncing back, the pressure of looking the best when you don't feel the best after gaining over 40kg in pregnancy."

However, after acknowledging society's unfair expectations, Minal rounded off her post with a virtual hug to her fellow "new mamas", Minal rounded off her post with heartwarming words of encouragement to get out there and take charge. "You're not alone we're in this together and we got this! Let's hit the treadmill and show the world who runs the world."

Once Aymen takes comfort in the knowledge that she is allowed to look human, she can look to artist Naimal Khawar, who proved in May that no young mother is spared unsolicited advice.

"At an event, our little one decided to throw a tantrum fit," wrote Naimal on her Instagram story at the time. "Now this random guy, who's 19 at most, is giving me chup karanay kay mashwaray (advice to soothe my baby) I've never heard of. Brother, seriously?"

Aymen may have to wait a while to welcome her bundle of joy, but she can take comfort in the knowledge that when that moment comes, she is not alone.