Pregnant model causes social media uproar (again)

Sarah Stage has shared her pregnancy with followers on her social media networks. Photo / Instagram

A pregnant model's small baby bump and toned tummy is causing a stir on social media.

Sarah Stage, a 30-year-old lingerie model from LA, regularly posts pictures showing off her eight-and-a-half month pregnant baby belly on Instagram. Despite being weeks away from giving birth her abs have remained tight and toned.

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However her 1.3 million Instagram followers are divided in their opinion of Stage's barely-there bump.

"Check this out...almost 9months pregie and look at that tummy!!!" Commented one admirer of a modeling shot depicting Stage in lingerie.

"Hope I look like this when im 8 months pregnant," wrote another on a post that has garnered over 10,000 comments.

However, not all feedback was positive.

"Where's this baby hiding at?? Definitely not her tummy!!" one wrote, while many others suggested she was somehow harming the baby and should seek medical attention.

Stage responded to the harsh comments, telling Entertainment Tonight she she has has gained 20 pounds (over 8kg) during her pregnancy, which experts say is normal and healthy.

"I'm just trying to stay positive. It's hard enough to be pregnant. I think all women are beautiful, especially pregnant women," she said.

All throughout her pregnancy, Stage confirmed that she continued to work with her trainer and contrary to speculations, the model's doctor is positive that the baby in her womb is healthy, People reported.

"The doctor said my baby is healthy. All my girlfriends that are pregnant now, their bellies are a lot bigger, so I asked him and he started laughing. He was like, 'You're fine,'" she explained

"She is young, tall, slim and it's her first baby so she has all that going for her," Dr Jennifer Ashton told ABC News.

"She has gained the appropriate amount of weight for this point in her pregnancy and seems very healthy."

Besides her busy social media feeds, Stage has been blogging about her maternity journey on her website. She has also designed a line of maternity clothes for the retail site Want My Look.

- nzherald.co.nz