Hi Closer readers
I’m Suzanne Shaw and I’m going to be here every week revealing all on my second pregnancy.
Some of you will know me from Hear’Say and some will know me from the West End, Dancing on Ice and Emmerdale – it’s been an amazing 14 years since the Popstars days!
I want you to get to know me during the weeks leading up to my birth and would love to hear your stories too, so do let me know how you’re all getting on! I’m all about embracing my body as a pregnant woman and celebrating the miracle of birth.
I say miracle but the first time around – when I was pregnant with my boy Corey, 10 – was pure hell. He wasn’t a planned pregnancy, and I was sick as a dog right up until I gave birth – I even threw up on the day I went into labour!
I guess there are benefits to having a horrendous pregnancy though – it means this time around things have been far easier. There’s not been much sickness at all which is great. I honestly kept thinking at the start things were going to go bad and I was going to get sick again.
It’s not all been a bed of roses though; my main complaint has been the dreaded hormones. I’ve been so emotional since the day I took a pregnancy test at home and found out I was expecting. Sure, I was thrilled at the news but I’d be lying if I weren’t panicking about the fact I could potentially have a horrid pregnancy like the first time.
I guess my life is so different this time around too. I’m engaged to a lovely guy called Sam and he’s been a complete Godsend since we found out.
This pregnancy was planned. I went into it hoping we wouldn’t struggle to conceive and we were very lucky indeed. Trust me, I had warned Sam that I was sick throughout the entire nine months last time and hospitalised with water infections continually. I guess we were both braced in case it turned into a nightmare. Dare I say it… it’s been a walk in the park up until now.
Well, I say that but Sam’s had to deal with Hormonal Hilda – my crazy alter ego – since we found out. I’ve been full of anger, emotions have been continually off the chart and I’ve had my head mostly in a bag of food. The poor guy must be like, “where’s my fiancée gone!” – I’ve been pretty difficult to live with.
While we’re discussing food – that’s been super different too. I’m craving healthy food and fibre and lots of fruit. I guess being older second time around I’ve learnt what my body needs and I’m being careful to make sure I give my baby what it needs.
One thing I have already noticed is how different my body is after a ten-year gap between pregnancies. My hips feel a lot more ‘open’ than I expected – like I’m ready for the process far more than last time. Thank God I embrace my womanly curves!
Before you ask – we don’t know the sex! I know it’s cliché but we just want a happy healthy baby. Sure I’d love a girl to balance out the family but we will honestly be happy with whatever comes out.
Just to clear up the rumours too – Sam and I will be getting married at some point next year. We planned to have a baby afterwards but things happened the other way round in the end.
I’m not going to be one of those people who put themselves under a load of pressure to shed their baby weight and get bride-skinny immediately after birth.
It’s not healthy and I don’t want to promote unhealthy lifestyles. Life is about one thing for me and that’s balance. Everything in moderation is a good thing.
And not to mention the fact Sam and me will want to take the time to find our feet as parents to a newborn – we won’t put ourselves under any pressure.
That’s it for now. Until next week, Closer readers! And look out for my Vlogs too – I’ll be making sure you get to see behind the scenes in my life too!
Love Suzanne x