Gemma Atkinson hasn't held back as she shares the brutally honest things people don't often tell mums-to-be. The Hits Radio host became a mum for the first time back in July 2019 when she gave birth to her now two-year-old daughter Mia who she shares with Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez.
Gemma has previously spoken out about Mia's terrifying birth which saw the Bury-born star needed an emergency C-section when doctors realised Mia's heart rate had dropped and the new mum almost died when she lost nearly a litre of blood after suffering a from a haemorrhage.
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The 37-year-old is currently preparing for the launch of her second book, The Ultimate Body Plan for New Mums 12 Weeks to Finding You Again, next month and took to Instagram with a post from part of the book which said: "10 things no one tells you will happen after having a baby."
Points included having to wear "Bridget Jones-style massive knickers to fit an industrial-sized sanitary pad," and going to the toilet being a "seriously stressful event."
Writing alongside the post to her millions of followers, Gemma said: "3 weeks until publication day!' The ultimate body plan for new mums is almost here! Thought I’d share some pages from my book with you. The Sani pads, pile cream and that first poo after a baby is what still makes me laugh looking back. I genuinely felt I was birthing a 2nd child out my bum with that poo! Who’s with me?
"The big knickers I still wear occasionally because THEY ARE SO COMFY! (Sorry Gorks) an example recipe and one of my favs is this pumpkin soup. 8 mins prep and you can make loads for those nesting days cosy at home."
She went on: "Also, the book isn’t just for new mums. It’s for mums at any stage. Covering the highs & lows of pregnancy, the stuff no one ever talks about because it’s 'too much' I went there and covered it all, t*t sweat included! And also, still getting piles even with a C section! Wtf is that about? I didn’t even push her out!"
She told them what else they can expect from her upcoming book before adding: "Thanks so much to @headlinebooks for this Incredible opportunity and to all of you for your support. I hope you enjoy it."
The post was soon racking up comments from mum's who very much related to Gemma's post and were tagging their friends and family members to get them in on the chat too.
Taking to get Instagram Story afterwards, Gemma said: "Absolutely howling at your comments on my grid post about my book. How everyone relates to that first poo after having a baby... I was gripping the sink. Literally, it was like having another child.
"It's not nice but I'm glad that everyone laughs about and all the people who've done it, we're all in the same boat. We've covered everything like that and I just thought I want a book I wish I'd had when I was pregnant."
She then added: "When everyone left and it was just me, Gorka and Mia, we just looked at each other and went, 'Well, what do we do with this thing now?'" before she went on to share a photo of her holding a relatively newborn Mia in her arms.
"Was all worth it though," the actress and TV presenter said. "And you're doing amazing. Even on the days you're mentally and physically drained, your baby thinks you are the best thing in the world."
Gemma is regularly praised for her honest posts on social media. Earlier this month she shared a candid post with her followers showing her three different sides with three very different photographs of her oozing sass at a photoshoot, out on a walk with her beloved dogs and another at home on the sofa tucking into a takeaway with her daughter by her side.
The mum-of-one, who recently returned to Hollyoaks and has announced a new job with Cbeebies also took to the social media platform last week with a message to her loyal following about the reality behind some of her more glam posts on the platform.
