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An expectant mum has hit out after being accused of faking her pregnancy by complete strangers because her bump is 'too small'.

Reanna Stephens says her vegan diet and exercise regime mean she appears to have a flat stomach, but her unborn child is healthy.

She claims she has been heckled in the street by people asking her if she is pretending to be having a baby, or if she is anorexic.

The 18-year-old student, from South Carolina in the US, said: "People really affect me with their comments, I try to stay calm as I know both me and my baby are healthy.

"My baby is growing the perfect amount every month as it's measured, just like everyone else's, so it's absolutely nothing to do with mine or the baby's health.

"I have compared my bump over my pregnancy to people on different parent pages on Facebook, and it's not as big as other people's.

(Image: Caters News Agency)

"But I love my small bump, it's not big but I think it's perfect in its own way and it's my body and my bump - no one else's."

Reanna is currently seven months pregnant, and is due to give birth to her baby boy in April.

However she claims that she has had numerous hurtful comments about her stomach since she started telling people she was expecting.

(Image: Caters News Agency)

She added: "I have had people stopping me in the street and giving me nasty looks.

"It's heart-breaking that instead of getting the 'aw, look at your bump!' I just get people being rude to me as soon as they realise how far gone I am.

"People have asked me: 'you're not faking your pregnancy are you?', 'are you sure your baby is healthy?' as well as people telling me I need to eat more and see a doctor in case I starve my child.

(Image: Caters News Agency)

"I have also been told that I shouldn't be having a baby if I can't feed myself, but people know nothing about my diet or lifestyle."

Alongside practising a healthy vegan diet, Reanna has always had an active lifestyle - which is something she feels as though contributes to her small bump.

Reanna said: "I have done mixed martial arts for six years, including boxing, kickboxing, jujitsu, circuit training and weight training along with yoga and cardio.

"Now I only do yoga and cardio, but this is part of the reason for my slender psychic.

(Image: Caters News Agency)

"I also consume a vegan diet, so I don't have any animal products, and avoid unhealthy foods such as fizzy drink, sweets and junk food.

"Luckily I have the support of my family, because my mother was in a similar situation when she was pregnant.

"She was an athlete and she didn't show until she was seven-months pregnant. Although I'm much smaller than her, I believe being active has a part to play in the size of your bump."