WHEN is a woman at her most beautiful?

If you are having vivid images of women stepping out of the shower in the mornings or lying on a beach in string bikinis, you need a cold shower.

If you bother to open your eyes and look beyond the clothes, you'll realise that a woman is at her most beautiful when she is pregnant.

Now, before you accuse me of having a fetish for bulging tummies, allow me to elaborate and explain that even medical science is on my side of the fence.

The facts: Pregnant women have

BEAUTIFUL GLOW

Due to an increase in blood, pregnancy produces a natural glow that no amount of makeup can provide for. Basically, this is a time when she radiates pure warmth and happiness.

BEAUTIFUL HAIR

Forget about expensive shampoos or conditioners. Hair usually looks more full and luxuriant from the second trimester as pregnancy hormones reduce hair loss.

BEAUTIFUL BODY

This is a time when girls grow up to be women and women blossom into Pamela Andersons. Overnight, your wife's washboard bosom suddenly fills up an extra cup size or two and she now has a cleavage. Even if she wears a long, flowing dress, men will still notice the new look.

Now you know why most fathers with expectant wives walk around with a big grin on their face.

Seriously though, I do not think that there is a need for an expectant woman to dress any lesser if she wants to appear beautiful or be the centre of attraction.

The reason I am bringing this up is an unpleasant experience I had last weekend.

A woman walking down Orchard Road was pregnant and shaped like a baby whale.

Yet, that did not stop her from dressing up in a tight midriff- baring top and a micro miniskirt that looked as if it had arrived straight from Tina Turner's wardrobe.

Jaws dropped and traffic slowed to a standstill from Wisma Atria to Takashimaya as this skimpily-clad lady waddled obliviously down the road.

Trust me, it was certainly not a pretty sight. Sure, a woman wants to look sexy and desirable at any stage in her life, whether she is young or old, single or married. But when you are pregnant, please either have the decency to dress like the becoming mother that you are about to be or stay at home.