Award-winning actress Natasha Hudson tells Shape how she lost her post-pregnancy fat, how her life revolves around the latest addition to her family, and her plans for the future.
BY EDITH LIM

Although tired from nursing and changing diapers, Datin Natasha Hudson walks into our studios, baby-in-tow for her Shape cover photo shoot with a big smile on her face. That’s because Natasha is relishing her latest, and most important role yet: Motherhood. “My main focus now is on my family. My career is secondary,” says the 26-year old model and actress, adding: “Now, I’m a mother and wife.”

TAKING BABY STEPS INTO MOTHERHOOD
Natasha, who is currently the lead actress in the Bahasa Malaysia comedy Tipu Kanan Tipu Kiri, which debuted at cinemas in mid-October, just can’t seem to stop talking about her pregnancy and the birth of her 5-month old daughter, Nessa. Her key to a stress-free pregnancy: A regular routine of gentle prenatal yoga. “I used an exercise ball to roll and stretch, which was good for my legs, arms and abdominals,” says the gracious and soft-spoken Natasha, who exercised for 30 minutes a day on alternate days while pregnant with Nessa.

Not surprisingly, Natasha was in labor for only 2 hours, and her baby girl was delivered in just 20 minutes. Even then, her prenatal experience wasn’t entirely complication-free. “When I was 7-months pregnant, I had insomnia, hair loss and constipation. I was anxious and restless. I also had eczema and scars on my back,” says Natasha. Her most effective source of relief: An omega fatty acid-rich fish oil supplement.