" I did n’t love the stress of not being capable to delight my pregnancy outwardly . I feel like I was hiding this big secret , and it did n’t feel good . "

Hailey Bieberaddressed speculation surrounding her relationship with her husband,Justin Bieber, and why she initially kept her pregnancy private.

Earlier this year, reports that the couple weregoingthrough “difficult times” emerged. Then, in May, the coupleannouncedthat they were expecting their first child together and had renewed their vows.

In a new interview withW, Hailey explained that her decision to keep her pregnancy out of the public eye for six months was initially both down to her desire for privacy and her small size. “I was honestly able to keep it quiet because I stayed small for a long time,” she explained. “I didn’t have a belly, really, until I was six months pregnant, which was when I announced it. I was able to wear big jackets and stuff.”

“I probably could have hid it until the end,” she continued. “But I didn’t enjoy the stress of not being able to enjoy my pregnancy outwardly. I felt like I was hiding this big secret, and it didn’t feel good. I wanted the freedom to go out and live my life.”

Though Hailey works with a therapist to help “compartmentalize” the negative attention she gets, she did directly address rumorsexacerbatedby her own father asking for “prayers” for the couple prior to her pregnancy reveal. “People have made me feel so bad about my relationship since day one. ‘Oh, they’re falling apart. They hate each other. They’re getting divorced.’ It’s like people don’t want to believe that we’re happy,” Hailey said, stressing that the commentary “doesn’t actually ever hurt any less.”

Of her relationship, she added, “In the beginning [of pregnancy], it was super emotional for me. Like, ‘I love this human so much. How can I possibly bring someone else into this?’ I’m trying to soak in these days of it being Justin and me, just the two of us.” Indeed, she left the interview to join Justin in Idaho for another piece of alone time together.

You can read the full interviewhere.

Hailey Baldwin is seen walking, wearing a fitted dress and an oversized blazer

Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber walk closely together, Hailey in a leather jacket and sunglasses, Justin in a knit shirt and cap

Hailey Bieber walking on a city street, wearing a long leather coat over a lace bodysuit, heels, and sunglasses

Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber leaving an event; Hailey wears a stylish, cape-like top, and Justin is behind her in a tank top and cap

Hailey Bieber in a patterned coat and jeans, and Justin Bieber in a patterned shirt and cap as they sit in a stadium

Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber sit together at an event, both wearing black jackets. Justin sports a polka dot hat and sunglasses, while Hailey smiles holding a drink