PHOTO: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Ashanti and Nelly recently announced on Instagram that they are expecting a baby and have gotten engaged. It’s exciting news for their fans and followers as there has been ongoing speculation.
The 43-year-old singer recently announced the news of her pregnancy with an adorable Instagram video captioned “Baby baby baby baby…. ❤️🙏🏽😆.” In the video, she can be seen getting ready backstage for an event.
When asked how much time she would need, she replied that she would need “about 9 months.” She tagged her fiance Nelly in the post along with Proov, a pregnancy test company. She later expressed her excitement about becoming a mom in an interview with Essense.
“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience,” she shared.
This will be Ashanti’s first child. Speculation and rumors about her pregnancy have been circulating for the past few months. During a recent panel interview, Ashanti’s mother, Tina Douglas, stopped a host from congratulating her daughter on the pregnancy. Douglas clarified that there had been no official announcement yet, and she wouldn’t believe it until she heard it directly from Ashanti or her partner Nelly.
“There’s been no announcement. It hasn’t come out yet until I hear it from Ashanti and Nelly,” Douglas shared with the audience.
PHOTO: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/SHUTTERSTOCK
RELATED: Ashanti at 40+: “Be Realistic About Your Body Goals”
With the news becoming official, many have congratulated the couple. Friends, family, and peers in the industry have flooded Ashanti’s Instagram comments with congratulations.
Singer Lloyd shared a heartfelt comment on her Instagram post. “You dedicated so much of your life to your craft & to others, and now it’s finally your turn to take time for you and your beautiful family. I’m so excited to be able to watch your purpose shift towards being a super mom! Love ya Bonnie!,” he wrote.
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Other celebrities like Lala also shared well wishes in the comments. The TV personality commented “Congratulations on this beautiful blessing!!!!❤️❤️❤️so happy for u guys!!!”
While some people have been focused on the rekindling of Ashanti and Nelly’s relationship after over a decade of separation, others have pointed out Ashanti’s age. At 43 years old, many are stating that she is on the older end of having a baby.
However, many Black women, including Black celebrities, have not let their age hold them back from having a child. Ashanti is now added to a list of Black celebrities like Da Brat, Tamron Hall, Kenya Moore, and Janet Jackson who became mothers after turning 40.
Thanks to new technology like IVF and other fertility services, we have seen the overall maternal birth rate increase over the years.
According to a CDC report, “…women 40 to 44, the birth rate has risen by 4% and the number of births by 6% since 2021. Birth rates among women 45 and older increased for the first time since 2015 and the number of births increased by a whopping 12%.”
PHOTO: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/SHUTTERSTOCK
With new advanced technology options, more women are opting for a “pregnancy pause,” and we expect these numbers to continue increasing.
If you’re 40 and planning to have a baby, doctors recommend monitoring pregnancy risks. This includes “gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and miscarriage,” according to various studies.
Due to medical bias, Black women who become pregnant are at a higher risk of experiencing complications, including a higher rate of maternal mortality. It is crucial for expectant Black mothers to have plans in place to advocate for themselves and receive support from loved ones throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
As for Ashanti and Nelly, congratulations to the couple on this happy news!
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