Kim Kardashian West has defended her decision to release maternity shapewear under her Skims line, saying that it's not intended to slim pregnant women's stomachs, but to offer support as they carry the weight of the unborn child.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star announced over the weekend that she is launching a maternity range, but duly faced backlash from people who thought that the line was designed to make pregnant women look smaller.

Defending her choice on her Instagram Story, posted on September 14, Kim wrote: "To anyone who has an issue with maternity solutionwear, and if you haven’t been pregnant before you may not know the struggle of what it’s like carrying all of this weight the way I did along with millions of strong women, @skims maternity line is not to slim but to support."

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"The belly part doesn’t actually slim your belly, it’s actually sheer and a thinner layered material compared to the rest of the garment," she continued. "It provides support to help with the uncomfortable weight being carried in your stomach which affects your lower back- and the compression on the leggings helps with pain relief caused by swelling."

"It is also worn after you have given birth and provides the comfort and support that most women need after delivery, especially if you are recovering from a Caesarean. We launched this category in response to the tens of thousands of pregnant women who wrote (to) me requesting it and because it was something I personally needed when I was pregnant myself.

"Based on the majority of positive feedback we have received so far from pregnant women around the world, I am incredibly proud to provide a solution that will provide comfort and support during the times that we all need it the most, during pregnancy and after."

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Chrissy Teigen, who is currently expecting her third child with husband John Legend, has since lept to the defense of the maternity collection.

Sharing a video of herself in the flesh-coloured underwear, she said: "We are not trying to do anything to trick you, we are pregnant, we would just like to feel good about ourselves in a time where mentally it can be really challenging."

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"I don’t think I have some magic waistline now, I’m not doing it to get a waistline," she added. "Trust me, we are not idiots, we don’t think we are giving you some magical hot body now, ok?"

Kim Kardashian responds to backlash against Skims maternity shapewear