"IT'S a boy," Amber Chia, who is eight months and one week pregnant, tells me confidently, correctly guessing the first thing that I was about to ask her.

Noting my surprised expression, she says it is the first question that everyone who sees her baby bump asks.

So how does the expectant mother feel?

"Excited!", she answers simply, with a natural sweetness that makes it impossible not to like her.

While she laments that she misses her bikini body and has put on 13kg with her pregnancy - the most weight she has ever put on in her life, she adds - it is clear that she is looking forward to welcoming her bouncing baby boy.

"Being pregnant is an amazing feeling. I can't wait to welcome my baby on Oct 10. I believe my pregnancy is a gift from God and a miracle of life. I wanted to have two children before 30. I'm 29 now, so the time is right.

"Many people have asked why I've put my career on hiatus, but I think life is a bit of give and take. I didn't want to leave motherhood until too late, that is to find myself with a 10-year-old child at 60!"

Another question she gets asked frequently is if she would opt for a Caesarian or natural birth.

"I will cross that bridge when I come to it, and will definitely listen to my gynaecologist's advice on this," she says.

Looking serene and glowing with health, pregnancy suits Amber.

So it's not surprising that organisers of the recent Parenthood Fair at Midvalley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur wanted her to speak on her experience of being a first-time mother.

The eager crowd of mothers and their partners quizzed her on everything from breastfeeding, to what to eat and how she copes with the demands of pregnancy, she recalls.

Amber claims to have had no unusual food cravings, mood swings or crazy hormone upheavals.

"I stay positive. I don't think about having these things, so I don't get them."

She believes that it is as important for expectant mothers to stay positive throughout their pregnancy as it is for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"I believe that if you are a happy mum, your baby will be happy. Similarly, if you are a healthy mum then your baby will be healthy. What you think and do affects your baby.

"Many mothers, when they are pregnant, eat for two. That's wrong. You should eat healthy. Whatever you eat is very important.

"Read a lot of books and even surf the Internet to find out more about pregnancy. Get information about what you should be eating and why. It is important to be prepared so that you can give your baby all the nutrients he needs.

"Enjoy your pregnancy. You can still work but don't give yourself unnecessary stress, so don't overwork."

Amber has cut down significantly on the number of jobs she takes on.
"From doing four or five events a day, it's now just one or two."

With the pregnancy, one of the biggest challenges for Amber is giving up an entire year of modelling. But it is a compromise she says she is happy to make.

"After delivery, it will be a challenge for me to balance my time for my business, modelling work and my baby but it is not impossible. I still enjoy modelling and hope to get back to it soon."

Aside from continuing to work despite being pregnant, she does exercises like yoga for pregnant mothers, swims and goes for slimming massages.

"It is important for mothers to maintain their weight and have a healthy baby. If you stay at home for months without exercise, you will retain water and get fat."

Fathers also play an important role in the pregnancy process, she believes.

"Show your wives more love and support, both pre- and post-delivery."

A month after her son's birth, Amber intends to throw a full moon party for the media and friends.

For the Chinese, Amber says, it is good fortune to introduce a new baby in the full moon, a month after delivery.

The event will also mention her endorsement of two products: Cellsafe International for stemcells and Avent baby products.