Chinese women embrace maternity photoshoots with fake baby bumps to celebrate motherhood

In China, single women are increasingly taking maternity photoshoots with fake baby bumps. This trend reflects changing societal views, allowing women to celebrate potential motherhood while maintaining their current body shape amid declining birth and marriage rates. The trend gained popularity after a Generation Z influencer shared her experience online. Many women are now capturing these moments early, despite not being married, to avoid future body changes and to create beautiful memories. However, the trend has faced criticism for promoting narrow beauty standards. Critics argue it creates unrealistic expectations for women regarding body image during pregnancy, emphasizing youth and slimness.