Baby Watch

Serena Williams says the pro tennis ranking system is "biased" against working moms -- and she's living proof -- claiming she took a HUGE hit for taking maternity leave and it's simply not right.

"When I returned to tennis from maternity leave, I was penalized for taking time off: my ranking dropped from #1 in the world to #453," Serena wrote in an op-ed for Fortune.

"That required me to face tougher competition earlier in the French Open, which led to a pectoral injury that forced me to drop out."

Serena gave birth to her daughter, Olympia, back in Sept. 2017 -- but there were complications which required Serena to undergo emergency surgery following the delivery.

Everyone is okay now ... and Serena returned to tennis 8 months after giving birth. The problem? Serena says the extremely low ranking the ATP and WTA gave her when she returned was super unfair and forced her to overcome obstacles she shouldn't have had to overcome!

"I fought hard personally, making it to the Wimbledon final shortly after, but I also fought hard publicly against the biased ranking system. We must stop penalizing women when they return to their careers after having children."

She added, "Women deserve to be given the same respect and opportunities as our male counterparts. We are entitled to the same open doors."

The good news ... the WTA announced back in December they recognized this very problem -- and vowed to give protection to mothers who return to the tour after giving birth.

The WTA says female players who give birth will be able to use their pre-maternity leave ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a 3-year period, which seems like a practical solution.

UFC rising star Mackenzie Dern just revealed she's PREGNANT -- but assures her fans she'll get back in the Octagon to fight again after the baby is born.

The 25-year-old is 7-0 as a pro MMA fighter -- with 2 of those wins in the UFC -- and she's been hailed as "the next Ronda Rousey" because of her dominant ground game.

But, her career will be put on hold for a while because Dern -- who's dating Brazilian pro surfer Wesley Santos -- is now with child.

"God makes everything so perfect! I am so happy to be able to share this news! I’m going to be a Mom," Mackenzie posted.

"I love so much our family and now I have one more HUGE motivation for inside and outside the ring!! Thank you God for this blessing."

As for her fighting future, Dern says ... "I can’t wait to be back in the ring!"

Congrats!

Dern is considered one of the top female jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world. She famously defeated Gabi Garcia at the 2015 World Pro Open.

Dern made her UFC debut in March 2018 -- defeating Ashley Yoder at UFC 222. She fought again in May 2018, beating Amanda Cooper in the 1st round at UFC 224.

During her May fight, Dern weighed in 7 pounds over the strawweight limit of 116 and she was fined 30% of her purse.

Unclear when the baby is due and when Dern expects to return to the Octagon.

Meghan Markle took her fetus for a night on the town Tuesday -- hitting the famous Polo Bar restaurant for dinner with her pal Serena Williams ... and we've got the video.

Her Royal Highness had a busy day -- she flew into New York for her baby shower at The Mark Hotel earlier in the day ... where friends like Abigail Spencer and Jessica Mulroney helped celebrate the mom-to-be.

Afterward, it was off to Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar -- famous for its $20 "RRL Hot Dog" -- which comes with sauerkraut, sweet relish & mustard on a toasted brioche bun.

If she didn't have the dog, she missed out.

On the way out, 37-year-old Meghan strutted to her waiting SUV while clutching a fancy black Stella McCartney purse.

FYI, everything Meghan touches seems to sell out in minutes -- guessing royal fashion-aholics already snapped up the remaining stock.

Serena followed Meghan and got in the same SUV.

12:25 PM PT -- We just caught Meghan on her way back into The Mark Hotel after lunch at Cafe Boulud with friends. The day of celebration for the royal and her bump continues!

Meghan Markle's celebrating the upcoming birth of her first child with Prince Harry ... and she's doing it on U.S. soil, baby!! Take that, UK.

We just got a shot of Meghan outside The Mark Hotel Tuesday afternoon in NYC. She held her baby shower there and, as you'd expect, she was flanked by tons of security as she got into a waiting SUV.

As you can see ... Meghan's doing the expectant mommy thing, cradling her baby bump with every step. The Duchess of Sussex is about 7 months pregnant, and she and Harry have been hinting the baby is due in April.

Meghan's flying solo, sans Harry, for this trip. The baby shower could be the last time she sees her friends -- at least stateside -- before she gives birth.

Lil Xan and his GF refuse to bow to old traditions ... which is why they announced she's expecting their first child, even though she's only 5 weeks pregnant.

The rapper and Annie Smith told us ... initially, they wanted to wait to share the news, but Xan was so overcome with joy he couldn't keep the secret. Typically, expectant parents wait until the end of the first trimester, just to make sure the pregnancy's going smoothly.

Xan says he cried tears of joy after Annie surprised him with her at-home pregnancy test results, and it all came pouring out Sunday night on the Internet. Turns out, Annie and the 22-year-old rapper had been trying to get pregnant but were still shocked they pulled it off.

They also aren't shy about what they want -- it's a boy ... they hope.

Check out the vid ... Xan -- who left a rehab facility in December and finished his treatment at home last month -- says he's motivated now, more than ever, with a little one on the way.

Congrats!!!

Priyanka Chopra is not pregnant, despite rumors she's carrying Nick Jonas' baby.

We've spoken with folks who were around Priyanka Monday night in Los Angeles for the premiere of her movie, "Isn't It Romantic," and she was happily drinking. The actress hit up Osteria Mozza, where she was seen toasting friends and downing champagne.

As you know ... the rumor mill went into high gear this week after Priyanka was photographed with what appeared to be a baby bump, this only days after hiding her stomach with a flowy dress. But, we're told the pregnancy rumors are all a bust.

Sources close to the newlyweds tell TMZ ... Priyanka and Nick are waiting to start a family, and we're told they're in no hurry.

After all, it's only been two and a half months since Nick and Priyanka tied the knot ... we're told they're still enjoying each other's company, and she hasn't even fully moved into Nick's house.

Baby steps.

Welcome to Stormiworld, where you enter through the mouth of a huge lifelike face of Kylie Jenner's daughter, and you stay for the carnival rides, the Butterfly Rainbow Forest ... and Baby Shark.

Kylie's in the midst of throwing an epic bash to celebrate the 1st birthday of her and Travis Scott's daughter, Stormi Webster. Mom's been proudly sharing some vids of the party Saturday afternoon, which we're told she pulled off by renting the entire back lot of Universal Studios.

Check it out ... the entrance-way is unreal, and leads to a fairy tale setting with hot air balloons, rainbows, dancing pixies and much much more.

Then there's the soft pretzels, mini pizzas, and lemonade ... and even "Stormi's Shop" to grab some merch to commemorate the occasion. Kylie reportedly spent months planning Stormi's party, and it shows ... it's a sight to behold.

And of course there's gifts, including DJ Khaled giving Stormi her first Chanel bag.

BTW -- Stormi's bday was actually February 1, but the family was a little busy with Scott performing in the Super Bowl, so they just did a mini rainbow-themed party last weekend ... and saved up for the big one.

Looks like it was worth the wait.

9:00 AM PT -- Kylie was apparently screwing with people, because she just commented back to someone who asked if she was pregnant, "no lol."

Kylie Jenner may be telling a joke about being pregnant, but maybe she isn't.

Kylie posted this pic of her and Travis Scott embracing with the caption, "Baby #2?"

It could be a joke, but the timing of the post is curious. Kylie announced she had given birth to Stormi on February 4 last year, during the Super Bowl game.

The new post is 2 days shy of the exact one-year mark of the birth announcement.

What's more, Stormi just had her first birthday last Friday.

And, there's this ... Travis is about to take the stage in ATL during the halftime Super Bowl show ... and an announcement would then go out to the world.

Then again ... she could just be screwing with everyone.

XXXTentacion's legacy lives on, in the form of a baby boy who was born 7 months after his tragic death.

X's girlfriend gave birth Saturday to Gekyume Onfroy. The kid already has a nickname -- Yume! Gekyume is derived from a word X created. It means "a different state" or the next universe of thought. X's mom and girlfriend say X himself chose the name for his firstborn son.

Both mother and child are healthy.

Yume was born 3 days after what would have been X's 21st birthday.

Andy Cohen's baby shower was wild ... with the help of a few Real Housewives.

Kyle Richards threw the shindig Saturday night in Bev Hills at The Palm restaurant. John Mayer mugged with the dad to be, and a huge number of Housewives were partying hard, including Teresa Giudice, Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, LeeAnne Locken, Karen Huger, Stephanie Hollman, Teddi Mellencamp, Jennifer Aydin, Denise Richards, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Candiace Dillard, Sonja Morgan, Phaedra Parks and Danielle Staub.

It looks like Andy and John were the only guys present.

The theme for the evening ... 'A Star is Born.'

The group dined on Chinese Chicken and lobster cobb salad, salmon with mango salsa, filet mignon, asparagus, fried potatoes, spinach, grilled polenta cakes and key lime pie, creme brulee and chocolate chip cookies.

Andy Cohen's path to daddyhood wouldn't be complete without a party with the 'Real Housewives' ... and his famous gal pals didn't disappoint.

The 'Watch What Happens Live' host is close to becoming a first-time father and celebrated with several fellow Bravo stars at his baby shower Saturday at The Palms Restaurant in Beverly Hills ... hosted by the 'Housewives.'

We got several of them arriving in style, including Teresa Giudice, Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, LeeAnne Locken, Karen Huger, Stephanie Hollman, Teddi Mellencamp, Jennifer Aydin, Denise Richards, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Candiace Dillard, Sonja Morgan, Phaedra Parks and Danielle Staub.

Ramona Singer, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna and Erika Jayne were also on hand, and all in all ... 'RHONY,' 'RHOBH,' 'RHOC,' 'RHOP,' 'RHOA,' 'RHOD,' 'RHOM' and 'RHONJ' were represented.

Ronda Rousey is not taking kindly to reports she's planning on leaving WWE to start a family -- saying she's the ONLY person authorized to speak on matters regarding her vagina.

Rousey's personal life was the subject of a bunch of reports Thursday after wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported Ronda could step away from WWE after Wrestlemania in April to focus on expanding her family.

Ronda addressed the report with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and came out swinging.

"I honestly don't know why [anyone] feels [they're] an authority to speak on plans for my uterus," Rousey said.

"It's my vagina, my life, keep the speculations to yourself. Leave me and my reproductive organs alone."

Ronda HAS spoken on the record several times about her plans to reproduce -- telling "Ellen" back in 2016 her plan was to have kids with Travis Browne and in May 2018 she said she would be pregnant "soon."

We had reached out to WWE about the Meltzer report and they told us, "Whether she wants to start a family is a private matter."

Meghan Markle's got some pretty sweet perks, even beyond the castles and tiaras ... she gets to do some volunteering with super cute dogs.

The Duchess of Sussex stopped by The Mayhew shelter in London Wednesday to meet the staff, and pet some puppers. She even got to hold a sweet Jack Russell Terrier named Minnie.

We're told Meghan's been there before, but it was her first visit since Kensington Palace announced the charity as one of her 4 royal patronages last week.

Markle -- who's about 6 months into her pregnancy, has reportedly had rescue dogs of her own before ... so, naturally, the cause is near and dear to her.

Along with meeting the doggos, we're told the Duchess also spent time checking out The Mayhew's animal therapy program ... which provides dog visits for people in need.

'Bachelor' stars and soon-to-be husband and wife Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Burnham appear to be real hands-on for their wedding ... as in, not letting anyone else put their hands on her dress.

The couple were spotted a few days ago at the Kahului Airport in Hawaii with their luggage, including a white wedding dress bag. It's clear there are some items just too important to let out of their sight.

Arie and Lauren are set to get married Saturday at Haiku Mill in Maui, nearly a year after he proposed to her on the 'After the Final Rose' episode. Of course, this came after he proposed to Becca on the season finale ... but changed his mind and begged for Lauren back.

The 2 are also expecting their first child together -- a girl -- so they have more than just their nuptials to celebrate.

There's trouble afoot ...

Jessica Simpson is beggin' for help after suffering an extreme case of edema during her pregnancy ... one that's caused her left leg to take on more water than the Titanic.

The 38-year-old reached out to fans for tips on Thursday night -- saying, "Any remedies?! Help!!!!"

Edema is pretty common but if you're in pain, you should DEFINITELY go see a doctor.

Unclear when she's due, but Simpson announced her pregnancy back in September -- and with most people going public around 12 weeks, the assumption is she'll pop around April. This is her 3rd child -- she already has 2 with husband Eric Johnson, a former NFL player.

Tons of people have already reached out to Jessica with tips. Our advice? Condoms. But, we're not doctors.

At least J Simp's toenail polish is on fleek. Feel better!

Lonzo Ball was a human highlight reel Wednesday night ... and he had his biggest little fan in the front row cheering him on the whole time!!

Zo's baby mama, Denise Garcia, brought 5-month-old Zoey -- decked out in her own little Ball jersey -- to the Lakers vs. Pistons game at Staples Center ... and they picked a great one to go to.

Ball had a handful of incredible plays in his 11-assist game that had everyone -- including Baby Baller -- going crazy. The Lake Show ultimately beat Detroit in a 113-100 butt-kicking.

We broke the story ... Zo and Denise welcomed Zoey into the world back in July.

Unclear if this was Zoey's first time watching her daddy at work ... but it's great to see the fam together after the whole "deadbeat" drama.

Other celebs at the Laker game include Charlize Theron, model Kaia Gerber and Andy Garcia.

But, if Lonzo plays like this every time his daughter's in attendance ... expect to see her a LOT more from now on.