A volleyball player who is a soon to be a mum has stolen the spotlight at a recent game where she showed off her huge baby bump while six months pregnant.
Priscila Oliveira Heldes held her position as one of the main players for the Fluminense club, based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a match on Thursday, 10th April, saying that it was not "extraordinary" she wanted to stay on the court since "many women work while pregnant".
The 33-year-old woman, who is expecting her first child, shared a photograph of herself on the court with her baby bump with her Instagram followers.
Video footage also shows her working out in a gym and lifting weights while pregnant.
She has reportedly been receiving questions from people asking her if it is wise for her to play volleyball at this stage of her pregnancy, if there is no risk of being hit by a ball or falling and hitting her belly and especially if the physical activity will not harm the health of Emanuel, who is due to be born in August.
Priscila, better known as Pri, responded: "I am healthy and feeling great. The first thing I did when I found out I was pregnant was to seek medical help.
Picture shows pregnant volleyball player Pri Heldes, undated. She was playing for the team in the Superliga while pregnant with her first child. Note: Image is a screenshot from post. (@priscila_heldes/Newsflash/NX)
"I am being monitored by a professional who has experience in the health of athletes and has cleared me to play, taking some precautions, of course."
She added: "Also, since I told the club and my teammates about the pregnancy, everyone has welcomed the news and been very supportive.
"All of this – medical care, support from the club and the other athletes – gave me confidence that I could continue playing."
The player hit back at critics who said she should not be playing while pregnant, saying: "There are countless women who work throughout their entire pregnancy, I'm not doing anything extraordinary."
Picture shows volleyball player Pri Heldes, undated. She was playing for the team in the Superliga while pregnant with her first child. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (@priscila_heldes/Newsflash/NX)
She said that "pregnancy has always been a huge taboo in sports", explaining: "When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified. I thought, 'What am I going to do? Will I have to stop? How will people receive me?'"
Pri said: "When I decided to continue playing, my goal was to show that motherhood is not the end of our career in sport."
She thanked the club for its support, saying that it helped her to "move forward calmly and confidently, not only enjoying my pregnancy, but also being able to carry out my work with the same performance and discipline."
She said that she was also grateful for the support of her husband, basketball player Wesley Castro, who plays for Sesi Franca.
Pregnant volleyball player Pri Heldes works out in undated video. She was playing for the team in the Superliga while pregnant with her first child. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(@priscila_heldes/Newsflash/NX)
Many fans have also supported her decision, with one Instagram user titled 'daniela_seibt' saying: "Pride and inspiration! Your strength is unmatched! I love you so much."
And fellow athlete Fernanda Fe Palermo commented: "You are a great example of a woman and an athlete, Priiii!! So inspiring! Faith and a lot of confidence in what you believe in!! Emanuel is already very blessed to have you!!!"
(Joseph Golder/newsX)