So I guess the best place to start is with how this came to be...
I moved to Goa a few months back and yes, I am enjoying every bit of the quiet Goa life. I made the move for two reasons: one was to refocus my career and the second was to start a family with my husband.
A little over a month ago, I received a call from James Sami (designer and founder of "House of Jamaima"), who is also a backstage manager and a dear friend. He was calling to book me to walk for Gaurang Shah's show for Lakme Fashion Week. I told him I was pregnant and I thought that would be it, but almost immediately James called back to say that Gaurang was extremely happy for me and was still keen to have me walk his show. You see, I have been working with Gaurang for many years now. His sarees and clothes are woven and styled for every woman, especially this Calico collection, and he wanted that to show. Gaurang believed that it would be inspiring for expectant mothers.
He said he would fly me down to Bombay, put me up at the hotel where the show was happening, make sure I was well looked after, and of course pay me my regular rate. At first I thought James was playing a prank, but soon realised they were serious, and thought if they had the confidence in me then why not.
As the date got closer, I started to get a bit nervous. I had cancelled a few shows in the initial months of my pregnancy. Like every pregnant woman, there was a change of hormones, added stress, sickness and I did not feel good about myself at all. I didn't feel the way most of you saw me on the ramp - confident and sexy. I felt bloated, sick, tired and moody. But towards the fifth month, I started to feel a bit better; I believe once you get a hold on all the changes happening to your body and mind, and once you start telling everyone and talking about it, you start to feel better and start enjoying your pregnancy (though I still have a few bad days!).
This industry can be a very superficial world, where models are plagued by the same (or even more) insecurities as everyone else. It is an industry where everything is judged, and our job puts us up for judgement every time we walk the ramp. Especially with the way we look and how our size conforms to sometimes impossible norms.
After the show I was glad that I received an amazing, positive response from the press, who mentioned everywhere that I was breaking convention and norm. But that was not my intention. I didn't think there was anything heroic about showing off my baby bump or going to work with it. Millions of women do it every day, some in manual labour jobs on the streets. We have all seen 7-8 months' pregnant women carrying stones in the heat, just to feed their families. This is unfortunately the common life of women in India and what needs changing.
I am not a spokesperson for pregnant women, we all have different lives and issues. But if just walking the ramp with my baby bump can help women realize that our swollen bellies, feet and breasts are not just a thing to suffer through, these are things that make us beautiful, as long as we let ourselves feel that way, that is welcome.
I am thrilled with the support and encouragement, but I also know that my biggest challenge is yet to come: raising a child who will be smart, empathetic and respectful of others.
(Carol Gracias is one of India's leading supermodels, and a former Bigg Boss participant.)Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.