Mariska Hargitay, the star of Law & Order SVU, found herself in a unique situation in 2006 when she was expecting her first child while still filming the show. Juggling the demands of her pregnancy and her role as Olivia Benson was no easy feat. Mariska opened up about the challenges she faced, such as gaining 54 pounds and struggling with mobility towards the end of her pregnancy.

Despite the difficulties, Mariska remained dedicated to her work, even sharing a glimpse into her daily routine as a pregnant actress on set. She humorously acknowledged the impossibility of concealing her growing belly while portraying a tough detective in the streets of New York.

As her pregnancy progressed, the producers of SVU had to find a way to work around Mariska’s physical changes. They chose not to incorporate Olivia Benson’s pregnancy into the storyline, opting instead to temporarily write her character out of a few episodes and introducing a special guest star in her absence.

After giving birth, Mariska reflected on how motherhood had profoundly changed her, both physically and emotionally. She described her body as a sanctuary for her son, August, and marveled at the love she felt for him. Despite the challenges, Mariska found a sense of balance by having her son by her side on set, providing her with a fresh perspective and renewed spirit.