The Oscar-winning actor has shared new details about her third pregnancy, revealing how her heightened sense of smell and experiences with healthcare in France and the US have differed.
Natalie Portman’s enhanced sense of smell has become one of the most noticeable changes as she prepares to welcome her third child with partner Tanguy Destable.
The actress, 45, discussed her pregnancy in an interview with Elle, describing the physical changes she has experienced while expecting her first child with Tanguy.
Natalie is already the mother of son Aleph, 14, and daughter Amalia, nine, from her previous marriage to Benjamin Millepied.
Her interview comes months after Natalie announced she was expecting again and follows a recent Instagram post in which she shared a photograph of her baby bump.
The Oscar winner, who remains best known for performances in Black Swan, Closer, Jackie, the Thor films and the Star Wars prequel trilogy, most recently appeared in Fountain of Youth.
She is also continuing to attract attention following the announcement of her pregnancy earlier this year.
Natalie told Elle about how her pregnancy has heightened her sense of smell: “Scent becomes much more present for me when I’m pregnant each time, for better or worse.
“I was at a restaurant with a friend of mine the other night, and I was like, ‘There’s gas. There’s a problem’.”
She added: “My sense is much more potent and it must be something to warn you about danger, because I am hyperaware of gas and smoke.”
Natalie also reflected on the differences between receiving maternity care in France and in the United States.
She said: “It’s interesting, actually. In many ways, the same. I find the doctors to be amazing in both places, but they do have different landmarks for pregnancy and some of the tests they recommend are different.
“The biggest difference for me is a socialized versus not-socialized approach to medicine.”
She continued: “When you’re in a socialized medicine country, they’re trying to do the best for the most people, without making you pay for extra stuff.
“Whereas, in the U.S., they’re like, ‘Well, if you want this, we can add this’.
“You can see that it is also a business.”
Last month, Natalie shared a photograph on Instagram showing her baby bump while standing on an apartment balcony wearing an oversized blue shirt.
She captioned the image: “Counting the days until we meet you.
“Thank you @shelbyduncan for your talent.”
The post prompted messages of support from several of her friends in the entertainment industry, including Macaulay Culkin, 45, who replied: “Gee whiz,” while Jennifer Garner responded with heart emojis.
Natalie first announced her pregnancy during an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in April.
She said: “Tanguy and I are very excited.
“I’m just very grateful. I know it’s such a privilege and a miracle.”
Reflecting on becoming a mother again, Natalie also said the experience had given her a different perspective from her earlier pregnancies.
She said: “There is a gratitude that when you’re young, you don’t necessarily grasp.
“And there’s a calm and knowing myself: who I want to spend time with, what kind of energy I want around me that makes the experience so beautiful every day. And knowing it’s probably the last time, I cherish every moment.”
Natalie Portman hit by smell sensitivity amid third pregnancy
