Gemma Atkinson has shared her sadness as she revealed the hardest part of being a mum-of-two. The Hollyoaks star, 38, welcomed her second child Thiago just a matter of weeks ago with Strictly Come Dancing professional, Gorka Marquez.
The couple, who are engaged, already share daughter Mia together. When Thiago was born in July, Gemma shared show she was "soaking up this lovely little bubble" and that her family "was complete". She has been candid with her fans about her pregnancy journey and experiences of motherhood. Gemma has given updates on life as a family of four as well as having a C-section.
She recently took part in a Q&A with fans on social media. One follower asked her what she found was the hardest part about going from one child to two. Gemma explained: "For me, splitting my time between the two. We read to Mia every single night and last night Tio needed feeding at the same time as her bedtime read."
The former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress added: "I got round it by suggesting she read to us while I fed him on my knee and she did and loved it. But I went o bed feeling a little sad that I hadn't done what we do most nights. I can't yet feed him in a sling due to my scar. He has to be [laying] on me or in the rugby ball position next to me so I'm not bearing all the weight. Once I can feed him hands-free it'll help with anything like that I'm sure."
Gemma also opened up on her birth experiences, asked if the recovery has been harder this time, she replied: "The first was definitely harder for me. I felt strange. With it being an emergency one and out of my hands and then having the haemorrhage I was in hospital for 4 days so spent a good few weeks wondering why and how it happened etc. This time was so different. Physically I'm sore (but I expect to be) but mentally I feel really good. Even with broken sleep, I'm happy and calm and that for me is a biggie."
When asked if she was worried about how she could love another child as much as she already did with Mia, she shared: "For a brief time when I first found out I was pregnant I did. But it's actually the complete opposite. The love isn't shared, it's multiplied!" Gemma was recently praised for showing an unfiltered look at giving birth as she shared a snap of her 'swollen tummy.'
Sharing a photo of herself in her pyjamas with her top rolled up, Gemma updated her followers on how she was feeling, posting: "It's very common for a tummy to stay swollen after pregnancy and they usually stay swollen after a C section due to the inflammation and abdominal swelling from surgery. So don't worry if you feel you still look pregnant as I do here, it's NORMAL!
"I've reminded myself thousands of women are now doing the exact same thing as me. Every time I look at Thiago I thank my body for growing, carrying and birthing him. 15 days ago he was he in my belly and that just blows my mind completely. The miracle of life and the human body."
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