The Instagram fitness bloggers challenging critics who claim women shouldn't work out while pregnant

Sia Cooper and Chontel Duncan have both answered criticism for training while heavily pregnant

A fitness blogger has defended herself against a torrent of criticism for sharing videos of herself working out while pregnant.

Sia Cooper shared images of her toned physique 33 weeks into her pregnancy with her 111,000 followers alongside videos of herself working out with weights.

Cooper, a former nurse who runs the Diary of Fit Mommy blog, encourages women to continue exercising and weight training during their pregnancy under the supervision of their doctor.

She also shared pictures of her abdominal muscles which were still visible eight months into her pregnancy.

Underneath one picture, she wrote: “Don't be afraid to lift weights, ladies. I used to get criticised for lifting weights during my last pregnancy and guess what? I gave birth to a healthy 8lb 7oz baby boy!

“Listen to your body and trust it. It certainly knows what it's capable of. As always, talk to your doctor prior to lifting because, no, not every pregnant lady in the world can lift weights.”

But despite insisting her doctor has approved her decision to continue working out, Cooper says she has been branded “self-obsessed” and irresponsible and accused of putting her personal appearance before the health of her unborn child.

She addressed the negative responses on Friday, writing: “It is still so shocking to see people who comment so negatively toward a fit pregnant woman: ‘She only cares about her looks and not the baby!’ ‘All of that activity is not good for her unborn child,’ 'She is taunting other mothers out there.' Ok let's get some things straight: Hell yeah I care about how I look. I love looking good and taking care of my body for not only my husband, but for also myself. When you look good, you feel even better. It's an instant self-esteem boost.

“And as far as not caring about the health of my unborn baby, don't you ever think that I workout for the health of my unborn baby? Actually working out during pregnancy results in a healthier labour, delivery, and baby and I have my doctor's approval.

Fellow fitness blogger Chontel Duncan had a similar experience earlier this month after sharing an image of her small stomach while standing next to a friend, who was four weeks further into her pregnancy and much bigger, to prove how women carry to full term differently. Her post went viral and she began receiving criticism both for her small size and her videos of working out while pregnant.

Sarah McMullen, head of research at the childbirth and parenting group NCT, told the Independent exercise is encouraged during pregnancy.

Ms McMullen said women should speak to their GP about the kind of exercise they do and how often they should work out.

“Staying active during pregnancy is important for both physical and mental health. It can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, boost the mother’s mood and improve sleep as well as having many other benefits.

“However, we would encourage pregnant women to speak to their doctor or midwife about the type and amount of exercise they do, particularly if they are thinking of starting something new or if they weren’t very active before becoming pregnant. NCT has a pregnancy exercise safety checklist on its website (www.nct.org.uk) as well as other general information about exercising in pregnancy.”