It's been two weeks since Madeleine West announced her 7th pregnancy. Then came the comments.

For years, Madeleine West has been an icon of the Australian silver screen.

Best known for her roles as Dee Bliss and Andrea Somers on Neighbours from 2000 to 2003 and again in 2017, to her roles in Satisfaction, House Husbands and then as Danielle McGuire on Underbelly, she has brought some of our country's most-watched stories to life.

But now the 45-year-old multi-talented actor, author, podcaster and activist is writing a new storyline, this time, in her personal life.

The mother-of-six recently announced that she is expecting another baby.

While many fans and friends have since shared their congratulations on West's social media pages, unfortunately, not all the comments have been supportive.

Just weeks after sharing her exciting baby news, Madeleine said she was targeted by "faceless" critics attacking her lifestyle choices.

The star issued a lengthy statement revealing her direct messages were flooded by "loud and aggressive" trolls after she uploaded a photo of herself at the gym.

Madeleine said her critics were claiming she shouldn't be in the gym while pregnant, and was "only doing it out of vanity".

"I continue to exercise to ensure the best possible start for my #baby. Regular GENTLE #exercise keeps blood pressure in check and lowers the risk of gestational diabetes. It's great for mental health and I know only too well how strong my body will need to be in the coming months and onwards," she said.

"I attend a gym staffed by PTs well-versed in caring for #pregnant women. They keep a vigilant eye on me, so even if I wanted to heft barbells across the room or twist myself into a pretzel, I'd be stopped faster than you could say 'yoga-lates'."

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A post shared by Madeleine West Actor (@msmadswest)

The star continued, saying: "If you wish to express concern, I appreciate it. But please do so with a little less rage and vitriol.

"How we communicate online has already taught the #AI #algorithms controlling social media output that humans respond best to anger and controversy," she said.

She implored people to follow one simple message: be kind to one another.

"The single greatest signifier of mankind's humanity is when MAN is KIND," she said.

"As for #vanity… I don't need anyone to tell me I'm beautiful…. I FEEL beautiful. And the way I achieve that is taking care of my mind, my body, and my soul."

Watch: Michelle Bridges shares her pregnancy workout. Post continues below. 

Madeleine West's baby announcement.

Madeleine announced her seventh pregnancy earlier this month, saying, at first, she didn't realise what her symptoms were pointing to.

Sharing the news on Instagram, she posted a big "WHOOPS!" in capital letters.

"Thought it was #perimenopause. I thought WRONG!" she wrote with an emoji of a little baby. "It's not too much Christmas pudding either."

The star confirmed the news saying she wasn't sure how she felt about being referred to with the title "Geriatric mum" (geriatric pregnancy is the technical term for women pregnant at age 35 or older), but added "here we are."

"I'm winding back a little to grow this little surprise package I've dubbed #007 (baby number 7, couldn't help myself).

"I don't have much more to say right now, but I've noticed I don't hear much about older parents. l know you must be out there. Just seems we are invisible."

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A post shared by Madeleine West Actor (@msmadswest)

She finished her announcement by calling on her audience to share their stories of becoming a parent again in your 40s.

"So if you're expecting later than expected, and tackling early#parenthood in your 40s or 50s, I'd LOVE hear your stories," she said. "I'd love any tips you care to share.

"Like how the heck do you get all the #babyparaphernalia together again after you've given it all away???? There's a terrifying new world of contraptions out there and I don't know where to start!! HELP!!!"

Naturally, friends and colleagues responded with love and their heartfelt advice.

Australian model Megan Gale responded, "Just beautiful," while Australian Olympian Libby Tricket commented, "Congratulations!"

Australian theatre performer Christie Whelan added, "You will be amazing, you've got more energy than anyone else I've ever met!"

Choreographer Bessie Kay added, "Congratulations! You are amazing 🙌. PS - so much of the baby paraphernalia you need comes through all the other incredible women in your life who pass it on. All the best."

Of course, it's not Madeleine's first foray into parenthood.

West shares six children with restaurateur Shannon Bennett, with whom she was in a relationship from 2005 to 2018. She even wrote a book about her life as a mum to so many youngsters, titled Six Under Eight.

She has been in a relationship with environmentalist Maximo Bottaro since 2020, after meeting him while volunteering at his organisation ReForest Now.

Feature image: Instagram/@msmadswest