Britney Spears is Pregnant!

After Years Under an Oppressive Conservatorship, Britney Spears announces she is pregnant.

This will be the singer’s third pregnancy, and first with her husband, Sam Asghari. And, Britney broke the news to her 40 million fans on Instagram this week, writing, ‘So I got a pregnancy test … and uhhhhh well … I am having a baby.’

Britney and Sam @ Getty Images

The news conjured both positive and concerned responses from fans. While most were supportive, expressing how this has been a dream of Britney’s for years, others were worried about Britney’s mental state after a series of strange Instagram posts over the years. Regardless, this is Britney’s life, and now she is free to live it as she sees fit.

In June of last year, the ‘Toxic’ singer was engulfed in a vicious legal battle with her father, Jamie Spears, to rid her of the Conservatorship which prevented Britney from getting married or having more children. The Conservatorship was set up in 2008, following Britney’s very public mental breakdown, in which she shaved her head and attacked a member of the paparazzi. Since then, Britney’s father has kept her on a tight leash, even preventing her from making her own health decisions.

Britney and Jamie @ Getty Images

In the court hearing of last year, a shaky Britney confessed, “I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don’t get pregnant. But, this so-called team won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don’t want me to have children.” She continued, pleading, “I want to be able to get married and have a baby. I was told right now in the conservatorship I am not able to get married and have a baby.”

The court case drummed up overwhelming support and media attention for Britney and her case. As a result, the Conservatorship ended and she was given all the freedom she deserved and wanted. Since then, a refreshed Britney has been focussing on her health and happiness.

Britney @ Getty Images

Although Spears is now free, she is taking a responsible and careful approach to her pregnancy after experiencing “perinatal depression” in the past. Britney recalls feeling alone and unsupported due to the lack of mental health provisions for women back then. She explained on Instagram, “Some people considered it dangerous if a woman complained like that with a baby inside her.”

Despite these expected and natural reservations, Britney seems to be taking her mental health very seriously. Despite the inevitable challenges ahead, Spears appears to have a happy marriage and the right psychological tools for a smooth pregnancy. Congrats Britney, and good luck!