M.I.A. Pregnant

Rapper M.I.A., whose real name is Maya Arulpragasam, confirmed rumors that she was pregnant in October of 2008 to a reporter from Pitchfork Media. On February 11, M.I.A. announced on her MySpace blog she had given birth to a healthy baby boy. The father is Ben Brewer, frontman for the rock group The Exit.Pitchfork: M.I.A. Has a Baby Boy! (February 15, 2009)

Gossip columnist TMZ obtained the new baby's birth certificate and reports that his name is officially Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman.TMZ: M.I.A's Real (Crazy) Baby Name (March 21, 2009)

The Grammy and Oscar-nominated musician performed at the 2009 Grammy Awards on her baby's expected due date: February 5, 2009.CHARTattack: M.I.A.'s Baby For Grammy Appearance? (February 5, 2009)

M.I.A. told interviewer Toure from The Daily Beast that she was not planning on giving birth in a hospital, but instead wanted to deliver the baby at home in a pool of water. She compared the pain she would experience without an epidural to the pain suffered by her fellow citizens of Sri Lanka, who continue to endure the ongoing war between the repressive government regime and the rebellious Tamil Tigers. She also said she would use the services of a midwife.The Daily Beast: M.I.A. Goes to War (January 30, 2009)