42-year-old soap star Hayley Tamaddon never thought motherhood would be part of her life, but has hailed her 'miracle baby' for giving her hope for more.
The pregnant Emmerdale and Coronation Street actress was told she would never be a mum, but is now planning to add more kids to her family.
Hayley is due to deliver her first child in just four months, and opened up to Closer Magazine about her incredible pregnancy journey,
Tamaddon revealed that she is "pinching herself every day" as she makes plans for her baby boy's delivery with her fiancé Adrian,
Her baby son is due in October, and pregnancy appears to be agreeing with the star judging by her baby bump glow.
She has dubbed her unborn son her 'miracle pregnancy' after being told that she couldn't conceive by fertility doctors;
"The fact I’m 42 and having a baby is absolutely incredible. For so long I thought I couldn’t have children, I'd tried over the years but it just never happened."
She continued; "Now that it has, everything feels natural and so right. We’re expecting a boy which is amazing and I’ve never been happier.”
Hayley had told herself that motherhood would never be hers to have, despite her maternal attitude;
"I’m so maternal it’s ridiculous, I have a natural mothering and bossy instinct. I always thought I’d be married by 30 and have my first child at 33 but life didn’t work out that way.
"I’ve been in long-term relationships in the past and I expected kids would follow naturally but they never did.” The actress previously dated comedian Marcus Brigstocke for six years.
She thought her time wouldn't come;
"You get to a point where you accept it. Years ago, I started having tests with a doctor to see if there was anything wrong but then my relationship ended so I didn't look into it further."
She explained how her priorities changed; "When I reached 40, I was single and thought well it's never going to happen now. I threw myself into my career, turned my focus to work and I was happy."
Hayley always wanted to be a mum, but never wanted to try IVF or adoption as she wanted to "conceive naturally" if she was ever to have a child.
The actress was so shocked when her pregnancy was confirmed that she had to take over 10 tests to make sure there was no error;
“I must’ve done ten tests initially and then again throughout the week, I spent a fortune because we couldn't believe it."
Despite the 'geriatric mother' label that haunts pregnant women over 35, she denies this stereotype;
"I’m so far removed from a geriatric mother, I’m like a Duracell bunny because I don’t stop."
Fear isn't on her mind at all during this magical time in her life;
"There are a lot of risks and precautions which I’m aware of but women have been giving birth at all ages for years. I’m not at all scared!"
The actress is thinking about a second baby already; "I’ve always said I only wanted one and I'm so over the moon, but I might try for a second in a couple of years.
"It’s not on my agenda, but at least I know I can do it and that feels amazing!"
Feature image: Instagram/@hayleysoraya
