Gemma Atkinson told her fans that they can 'finally relax' as she prepares to welcome her second child. The Hits Radio host is due to welcome a baby boy with her Strictly Come Dancing star fiance Gorka Marquez any day now after previously sharing how she hadn't asked for a due date.
Gemma, who announced the joyous news she was expected back in January, said back in April that she had been told her 'little man' could arrive at "any time from the back few weeks in June to the front few weeks in July" after being asked when she was due.
Explaining at the time why she didn't ask for a specific date, she shared: "I've been asked this a lot but I've specifically asked for a time frame instead of a due date for a few reasons... 1. I think we become too obsessed with that one day. 2. If they arrive before or after that day we start with 'they are late or early panic/anxiety'. So with that in mind, I've asked for a 'timeframe'."
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With her now reaching 38 weeks and firmly in her timeframe, on Sunday, Gemma took to Instagram to share a snapshot of an app which showed her daily performance, sleep, recovery, and strain. Over the Instagram Story post, Gemma wrote: "How clever is the human body.
"Made it to Mia's party, she had THE best time with all her friends. I got in bed last night & said to Gorka, I can finally relax. She [Mia] had her party so little fella can come anytime from now and it's ok. Woke up to my best recovery in months! Seems I really did 'switch off' to sleep and recover."
It comes after Gemma shared how she was throwing Mia a birthday party with her nursery friends early so that she could be there. Her and Gorka's first-born doesn't turn four until July 4 but Gemma shared how she wanted her to have a party before doing something more quiet at home on the day itself, maybe with her new baby brother in tow.
Meanwhile, Gemma also opened up to her fans about how she is approaching this pregnancy and her upcoming labour following the traumatic ordeal she faced when bringing Mia into the world. The former soap star had planned to have a water birth but was later induced when 'nothing was happening'.
However, things took a dramatic turn when Mia's heart rate dropped after every contraction leading Gemma to have an emergency caesarian. Mia was then safely delivered but hours after the birth, Bury-born Gemma began to hemorrhage, leaving Gemma feeling "shocking".
Taking to Instagram on Saturday alongside a picture of her doting over Mia as a baby, Gemma shared: "My DMs are flooded at the min with questions about if im nervous for birth this time around after what happened last time. Because lots of 2nd time mums to be had a similar experience. For those that don’t know, with Mia, my waters broke on the 2nd and I ended up needing an emergency C section on the 4th which 2hrs later resulted in a big postpartum hemorrhage.
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"Not exactly what we had in mind but from speaking openly about it I’ve met SO many couples who went through the same. It’s more common than I thought!"
She went on to share: "I’d by lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind that at almost 38wks I’ll be very soon bringing my little man into the world, BUT, I’m so much more calm and in tune with it all this time around. I know every pregnancy is different. From only 2wks pregnant I felt different this time.
"Carrying Mia was a breeze in comparison to this little dude. I’m far from an expert but what I’m telling myself this time is below, it may help some of you. 1. My body & my mind are capable and I have full trust in them. 2. Rather than contractions, I’ll be calling them surges. And each surge is a step closer to meeting my baby and a step closer to beginning my journey to feeling myself in my body again.
3. The surges will last up to a min at a time. And I can do anything for a minute! 4. I’m trusting the process & on the day I will do whatever is safest for me and little man. 5. Should it go the same way as last ime, it’s not my first rodeo and despite 2 days of worry & confusion, I’ve had almost 4 years of beautiful Mia. Her birth was a success.
6. Any which way a woman chooses to give birth or is told a certain way is safest to give birth is a superhero. Growing & birthing a baby is a trauma on our bodies. Even if it all goes “smoothly” there’s still a recovery process both mentally & physically. Lastly, and this may be a tad woo woo for some [crying laughing emoji].
"But I believe little man’s birth date, plan and time has already been decided in the spiritual realm anyway. The physical side, the portal is me. But my Ángels & guides know how and when he’s arriving, and I feel comfort with them around me."
Former Hollyoaks star Claire Cooper, famed for playing Jacqui McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, was among those to respond as she knows what Gemma is experiencing. "As u know I’m a successful #vbac patient & I totally believe we can manifest the outcome we want - and you can absolutely do it & I think it’s wonderful to share your goals - your birth will be INCREDIBLE," she typed.
And more of Gemma's fans and followers were quick to share their thoughts and praise the star. @katysloane said: "Love this Gem! That last part gave me tingles all over!!! Yesss we know this to be true." @deeftw replied: "I love this mindset! Everything will work out how it’s supposed to work out. You’ve got this and your positive energy will help immensely."
@lorna7578 commented: "What a lovely, positive outlook Gemma. Your spiritual guide will be with you every step of the way. Look forward to hearing of little man’s arrival." @amanda.symons17373 posted: "Your post made me cry, very eloquently put. Wishing you all the very best." @annathornton702 added: "This is lovely, good luck Gemma, my second birth was much more straight forward than the first and I hope this proves to be the case for you too."
