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Former Home and Away actress Christie Hayes has opened up about her ‘surprise’ second pregnancy.

The mother-of-two boys, who fell pregnant just six weeks after she first gave birth.

Christie wrote a candid blog post on The Modern Mumma, sharing the shocking moment she discovered she was pregnant again, and the ‘confusion and embarrassment’ that can come with explaining the age difference between her sons.

“What’s the age difference between the two?” “11 months” I reply.

To save time, confusion and embarrassment, (usually because this happens somewhere awkward like the tampon aisle) I offer up the answer for them.

“I was pregnant 6 weeks after I gave birth to my first.”

Motherhood was something I always wanted, but I wouldn’t say I was a natural born mother. My older sister gracefully wears that title. I’m a career person. Let me clarify, I don’t believe you HAVE to be one or the other. I do believe you can “have it all”.

My first baby was planned, my second was a surprise. A BIG surprise. One I have been congratulated on, one I have copped flak for, and one that has resulted in the now cringe-worthy experience of people publicly discussing my sex life.

“What was she doing having sex after six weeks!?” “How can she be so stupid? You’re most fertile then!”

You get my drift. I am a big believer in creating your own destiny, manifesting your dreams and getting what you focus on. However, throw in divine intervention, some luck and in this case, simply a natural course of events after some time in the sack. Bam! Pregnant.

Here I was. I’d just given birth, was so tired I couldn’t remember my own name and frankly, slightly depressed at a time I should’ve been happy (according to all my well-wishers who were kindly telling me this was going to be the happiest time of my life). And pregnant. AGAIN.

The HAPPIEST time of my life? It can’t be. I’m not sleeping. I don’t know what I’m doing. I love and adore my beautiful boy, but I can’t really boast great skill about how to look after him properly. Hell, at times I can’t really even look after myself. THIS is the happiest time? Does it get easier? Will I get used to bringing a baby with me, packing his pram, grabbing nappies and a few bottles every time I go out, even if it’s just to go to the shops?

I remember the doctor telling me the test I just took was positive, that I was “about 6 weeks along”. I remember feeling guilty straight away because I didn’t jump for joy. I felt shocked, a little scared and justifiably, very tired. A completely different reaction to my first pregnancy where we both cried, laughed, jumped around like idiots in the doctor’s office then straight away went and cleared out our local pharmacy with vitamins for me.

A phone call to my darling fiancée Daniel offered great relief when he told me it was beautiful news. He told me I didn’t need to worry, (I’m always a worrier – “are you having fun? Are you bored? Do you need another drink? Is this table okay?”) reassuring me we could do it, I could do it, and most importantly, how blessed we were. Couples and single parents try for years to fall pregnant and have a family. I truly understand how lucky I am. I guess selfishly, I just didn’t feel it at the time.

The journey of the first trimester started, along with caring for a 3 month old baby. Then the great stuff happened. Hendrix slept through the night, every night. I got into a rhythm. My partner and I got into a rhythm of parenting together. I’d like to stress that I loved and appreciated many moments in his early childhood, like the smiles, laughs, cute first time things. Yet if I’m being honest, it was different to how I expected it all to be. It was real. It was work. It was tiring. It wasn’t like I imagined. It was the good, the bad and the ugly of being a first time mother.

Flash forward to September 4th, 2015, and my beautiful second son, Harley was born. Exactly 11 months to the day his big brother was – in the exact same hospital room. And whilst it has had challenges, it’s wonderful. He is wonderful. Motherhood is wonderful. Hell, motherhood to two kids under 1 is wonderful.

Why? Because I learnt to be a mother. It takes practice. It takes time. It’s okay to not know everything. It’s okay to go on an emotional journey. It’s okay to get pregnant soon after you give birth. What we are doing as mothers, is all okay.

I’m never going to be the mummy who sends her kid to school with the best tasting birthday cake (I can’t cook, it’s just not my thing and most nights I’m mercifully asked to leave the kitchen), nor will I volunteer at the school canteen (please see earlier point regarding cooking). But you know what? That’s okay too.

A year and a half after my darling son Hendrix was born, and almost 6 months after Harley, I am delighted to say that having our two children is by far the best thing I’ve ever done. You do have a lot less time for yourself once you are a parent but it’s important to note that it does become easier!

I am a confident mother. I offer good advice when I am asked and whilst depression crept up on me and hit me like a ton of bricks in the early days, it is now a thing of the past. Like my fabulous Calvin Klein handbag.

To any parent facing difficulty – the single parent, the parent of 4 children, the parent of one child, the parent of a child with special needs. You’re doing a damn good job!

During the times you’re doubting yourself, do what I do. Let the words of the late, great Yul Brenner in one of the 90s finest films wash over you.

Look in the mirror and repeat:
“I see PRIDE.
I see POWER.
I see a bad ass Mother, who don’t take no crap off nobody!” I’ll see you in Aisle 5.”

Well said, Christie!

Share your comments below.

Full story on The Modern Mumma

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  • Its really no one elses business when you choose to have or not have your children and surprise pregnancies should be just that. A surprise and not something that look down their noses or use judegement about.

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  • All the best to the family.

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  • If she felt the time was right then good on her. People judge others too quickly

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  • Wow what a lovely empowering blog. Good for her! we need more mummas to point out these positive statements of empowerment. There is too much judgement around!

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  • Each to there own, shes not complaining people cant judge, If shes happy good on her

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  • Good on you sweetie. You had your little darlings close together. Don’t worry when I got pregnant with baby number 4 some people said to me are congratulations or commiserations in order? lol!! Hubby and I were thrilled to bits.

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  • You go mumma. I think people will judge no matter what but it sounds like she has handled this well.

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  • Christie sounds like a wonderful Mum. Good for her

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  • I don’t see a problem at all. Congratulations to the family.

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  • drs years ago said 6weeks after birth if no complications is ok so what is the hassle. does not seem an issue for them take care and be happy. my abstract art just for a change

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  • This is a very intimate beautiful story. However, Christie sounds like she is defending herself which is a shame. She must have had so many comments. Later down the track, she will be glad that she has two children 11 months apart.

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  • Being a loving and nurturing mum is all that matters.

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  • Great story showing great strength.

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  • My sisters are 11 months apart…and in 2013 after I had my daughter, the obs said full time breastfeeding was a contraceptive… still cannot believe it!

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  • My dear friend had her first child, and then her second child was born one day before her first son’s birthday. I remember thinking how on earth do you even feel like having sex? I had a difficult birth and post-natal difficulties, as well as a child who was unwell for the first 12 months. So the thought of sex was so not on my radar. I also suffered PND. So I applaud Christie for what she’s been able to achieve. Good on her and good luck managing two small children.

    Reply

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