From having gestational diabetes to losing 22 kgs during pregnancy; Bigg Boss fame Shilpa Shirodkar recalls her motherhood journey

In a deeply emotional and honest conversation on Gauahar Khan’s podcast, actress Shilpa Shirodkar walked down memory lane as she recalled her unique and transformative journey to motherhood. From discovering she was pregnant while working full-time, to managing gestational diabetes and losing 20 kilos during her pregnancy, Shilpa’s story is filled with heartfelt moments, strength, and self-discovery. Here are the most touching highlights from her conversation.

Shilpa shared that her pregnancy came as a surprise while she was working with Dun & Bradstreet. “I picked up a job at a credit controlling company. And then I fell pregnant during my journey with D&B. I still remember telling my friend, I said, I am so tired all the time. I have got so much acidity. She said, I think you are pregnant.” Shilpa recalled asking her husband to stop at a pharmacy: “Then I told Apresh because he used to finish his work and pick me up and then we used to go home. So, I said, listen, just stop at the chemist and get me a home pregnancy kit.” When he asked why, she replied, “Because you know I am just tired all the time and Neeta said, you know, just do a test. How does it matter?” She smiled as she recalled, “We went home and I was sitting in the toilet. He is sitting outside in the bedroom. I was just sitting and staring at that kit with those two lines. When we found out it’s positive, he just kept screaming. He was so happy. Our whole life changed.”

Shilpa’s pregnancy wasn’t easy physically. She shared, “I had gestational diabetes through my pregnancy. I was on insulin three times a day.” Despite the challenge, she embraced her pregnancy with positivity: “I had the best pregnancy ever.” She followed a strict health routine, stayed active, and kept a check on her emotions and energy.

Contrary to the usual pregnancy experience, Shilpa said she lost weight instead of gaining it. “I lost 20 kilos through my pregnancy. I looked so beautiful. I used to smell like cocoa butter all the time and people knew that Shilpa has entered the office,” she said with a laugh. Her weight loss came from her controlled diet due to diabetes, making it one of the most physically unique pregnancies anyone could imagine.

Shilpa never saw her pregnancy as a reason to slow down professionally. “I was working through my pregnancy. I didn’t want to go on maternity leave either. My boss told me, please go. You need that one month of sleep before the baby pops. And I'm like, really? I don't think so. What will I do at home alone? I don't have any family.” Her dedication to her job and energy throughout the pregnancy is something she takes pride in to this day.

Pregnancy cravings hit hard—and for Shilpa, it was milk. “I used to drink so much milk when I was pregnant. I cannot even tell you, I think I would drink about three to four litres of milk a day,” she shared. “I was glowing. I think all those nine months of my pregnancy, I can relive.”

Being far from her mother during this life-changing phase was tough. “I did miss my mom several times. But I never told my mother because New Zealand and India is very, very far. And my mother had claustrophobia. And I knew that if I tell her that, she would be miserable because she would not be able to make it. She had promised me she'd come for my pregnancy.” At six months pregnant, she broke down: “I remember when I was six months pregnant, I was very, very low. And I called my sister and I said, I'm feeling very low Chin.”

The most emotional moment came when Shilpa's sister stepped up in a big way. “I remember my sister was shooting for Bride and Prejudice in London. And I just told her this. She spoke to her director and producer. She took the next flight and she came to New Zealand to see me.” Shilpa fondly recalled: “I went to the airport to meet her. And I was wearing my same jeans because I was losing weight. So my stomach had not popped. I was about six months pregnant. And she saw me at the airport and said, ‘Are you really pregnant?’” “The moment she landed, the next day the stomach popped,” she said with a smile.