Thanks to Shloer the Sparking Juice drink I will be sharing my thoughts, feelings and general pregnancy tips until I give birth in April. If you’re pregnant (which I’m guessing you probably are if you’re reading this) congratulations!
I am already a mum to Sonny (who is four) and I’ve already noticed that I feel much more relaxed in this pregnancy than I did in my first. It’s just much less stressful when you know what to expect from your body and your emotions and people don’t fuss around you as much.
Saying that the first twelve weeks were quite hard going. I felt permanently yucky, like I had a hang over, so I couldn’t get enough of comfort food. Since that stage has passed I feel back to normal and haven’t really had any cravings except one week where all I wanted was beetroot. I’ve since discovered it’s full of folic acid so there you go!
I don’t like people to treat me differently when I’m pregnant and it’s important to me that I still feel attractive, so this Christmas I made it my mission to ensure I wasn’t the frumpy one sat in the corner. My mum tried her best to persuade us all to go for Christmas at her house, as she thought I might not feel like doing all the work involved in hosting it myself, but I was insistent that I wanted to have the family round mine and give my mum a year off. So, I prepared Christmas lunch for the whole family with all the trimmings. Richard helped too, of course and it was lovely. We spent New Year with family and friends in the countryside and it was fun and relaxed.
My philosophy on avoiding certain foods is to trust my intuition. I think your body is very clever at telling you what it needs. I only buy good quality food so I can avoid any risk of food poisoning and I ration food that I think might be high in mercury like tuna, but generally I go with what I feel as guidelines change all the time. When my mum had me she was encouraged to drink Guinness and eat liver!
For me being pregnant is almost an indulgence as it gives me more time to focus on my music. My favourite part of the album making process is song writing so I’m taking my time and really savouring it. Protecting myself and the baby is the most important thing at this time and being pregnant really does give you the chance to slow down, prepare for the birth and focus on the things you really want to do. One of my top tips would be to try to preserve your social life as much as possible when you’re pregnant as it reminds you that you’re you and not just a pregnant lady! I DJ, run a club night called Modern Love, and have been doing the odd gig too. I’m going to continue to do this as long as possible so I don’t feel defined solely as a pregnant woman. I still have lots of energy so I might as well keep active and happy.
I will be really investing in spending time with my friends before I give birth because when the baby is born the tendency is to go into a bit of a bubble. Be it a relaxing lunch and a spot of shopping, or dinner and a chat over a glass of Shloer! If you’re out and about seeing friends you want to feel great and harness that pregnancy glow to maximum effect. I’m not a huge fan of maternity wear as I find it hard to find things that are fashionable and reasonably priced. My tip would be to buy a few sizes bigger from the high street. Empire line dresses are great because the tightest part is just under the bust (which serves to accentuate what for many of us becomes our best asset!) and flare out over your bump. I put this into practice at the British Fashion Awards in November and opted for a Topshop black mini dress which flared out nicely over my bump. Also the fashion for low rise jeans mean the high street is awash with long line tops which are perfect. I am not a fan of revealing your bump, particularly not in this weather! These sorts of clothes are also great post birth because it takes a while to return to your normal size and these pieces will see you through until your normal wardrobe fits again. My new music is out in the late Summer / early Autumn hopefully, so I’ll be doing everything I can get to get in shape for then. I will let you know how I get on with this in future blogs, although I’m not going to embark on any silly diet and gym plan. I want quality time with my new baby first!
We are all really excited about meeting the new addition to our family. We have chosen a name but it’s a secret! Sonny has always loved babies and has been telling me for a while he would like a baby brother or sister so for him it’s what he expected would happen at some point. My husband (Richard Jones from The Feeling) and I are both busy but we feel incredibly lucky to be able to have babies and jobs, which is in no small part thanks to Sonny’s nanny, Claire, and support from our families. Plus Sonny has always loved coming to work with me and we both think a childhood surrounded by music is by and large a happy thing.
I’m feeling great at the moment (six months in) and my concentration levels are fine so the song writing is ticking along nicely. The hardest part of the pregnancy so far has been before I could announce I was actually pregnant. I’m always a bit cautious of getting coughs and colds when I’m pregnant as they seem to take that bit longer to shake off so I’m dosing up on the vitamins as it’s so cold outside. I suffered from pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy so I am having regular scans at the moment, next one in three weeks!
Until next month…
Sophie x
22 Comments
I think it is fantastic to see that even celebs go through the same challenges as us when pregnant and Sophie is not afraid to talk about the less glamorous side of being pregnant!!!
I am 12 weeks gone and have spent the last month feeling incredibly sick!
Look forward to reading Blog number 2!
Hey Sophie,
I work for heat magazine, my boss Julian Linley interviewed you once. He said you were really nice.
Anyway enough small talk… I just want you to know that I truly believe that you are the most beautiful woman in the world.
That’s it really.
Stef x
This was an interesting read.Sophie you are very sensible to monitor what you are eating,remember to keep your folic acid levels stable,i.e. eat your greens!
I like the way you haven’t gone on and on about the “silly”side of pregancy and become a baby bore!looking forward to the next Blog.x
It’s nice to know how you want to be in touch with us, your fans,
Best whises for you and all your family, take care, read a lot of books, enjoy as many dawns as you can… Thanks to be my Star.
Looking forward to the next blog
Hey Sophie, we’re so happy you’re doing fine with your pregnancy. I’ve seen some recent pictures of yours and I have to say you’re still incredible gorgeous! We, from your fan website Sophie-Online, want to wish you the best on this special and important moment of your life!
Hey Sophie!
Glad to know your pregnancy is going well, all the best with it.
Hurry up with your new album!
Lots of love
Kieran xx
I worked out the other night that my wife and I have spent just shy of 6 months on Norfolk and Norwich’s NICU ward with 4 of our 6 children. Our newest family member was born 15 weeks early and spent 12 weeks on the ward coming home on Saturday just gone weighing 4lb 4oz….that’s pretty big when she started life at 1lb 12oz! Enjoy every second.
Am loving the blogs. Sophie’s core family values are an inspiration to a new generation (who need this kind of positive role model).
Hello Sophie
I think it is fantastic your blog,,,
The best wishes for you and all your family from Mexico…
Ariel (Santa’s Little Helper)
x
Hi sophie, congratulations for the upcoming baby, here in latin america you have a lot of fans and we hope to see you here soon again. Best wishes. XD
Hi sophie, chuffed for your new arrival, just read your blog and look forward to next months, all the best for the future, PD
Hola Sophie!! Soy Colombiano y estoy feliz por tu embarazo! no tienes idea lo mucho que admiro tu música, lo que eres y para mí siempre serás la mejor cantante del mundo! espero que algún día vengas a Colombia.
Dios te bendiga a tí y a tu nuevo bebé!!!!! I Love U so Much
ciao sophie!
you are bellissima! grazie for the your song!
sei fantastica! in Italy your song are very successfuly!
il tuo stile è mitico! you are very beautiful and very very very fascinating!
continua così! ciaoooooooooooooooooooooo
Congratulations! It’s great to see another pregnancy blog. My husband and I started our secret pregnancy blog at the end of December (I’m currently 16 weeks pregnant). I’d love for you to stop by and see what we’ve been up to! http://www.HisBoysCanSwim.com
Jane
Hi Sophie!
Congratulations for the beautiful family!
Me and my friends are huge fans of yours, and we’re all very excited to see the baby and also to hear your upcoming album!
Keep up with the writing and the good work, we all love you here in Brazil, and hope you can come back one day to visit us.
Xoxo. Waiting for the next post in the blog!
Filipe, from Brazil.
Congratulations on your new baby boy!!
I am due in the second week of April around the same time as you but looks like your little one couldn’t wait that long
I hope you and all the family are well, all the best xx
Hi Sophie,
I have a daughter, Sophia…she is 8 yrs old…..there is such a special time in a woman’s life when she is pregnant and caring a baby….the joys of being a mom and experiencing life is behind words! You know what they say about the glow of creating another human being! It is such a miracle! You never forget the first time you look in your baby’s eyes and when your baby looks back at you…You are beautiful, inside and out! I love your voice, I love your style! When you have a moment, please email me at christiana@maximsevents.com. I would love to bring you to Miami and do a few shows for you!
All my love to you and your family,
Christiana
Hi there,
I know this probably wont be picked up or a while, but….
Congratulations on having your wee boy!!
I’m sure it’s just as scary this time round, as it was when you had Sonny, but hopefully your new wee boy will be home soon enough and you can settle into family life, rather than thinking about the ‘hospital run’ every day!
(I had my daughter at just under 30 weeks due to pre-eclampsia, she weighed 3lbs 3ozs, so I know all too well about the twice daily ‘hospital run’)
Anyway, congratulations again and I hope your wee boy goes from strength to strength and he’s home soon!
Suzie xx
For those of you who arent aware, sophie has actually given birth to her new baby boy on Feb 10th! heres the news:
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has given birth to her second child nine weeks premature, after suffering from the potentially life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia. Mother and child are doing well, husband Richard Jones of The Feeling said
Good luck to mummy and baby and all the best for 2009 x
Congratulations with the birth of the little man! I wish you, Richard and Sonny all the best. May God bless you!
Lots of love,
Nienke
Sophie,
First and foremost, I would like congratulate you on baby#2! Secondly, I would like to say that I find your style of music most fascinating. I wish you continued success in your endeavors.
Lilly from Texas
Hola Sophie!
Soy Mexicano, De Orizaba Veracruz, Eres una de mis Artistas Preferidas,
estoy leyendo que nuevamente estas embarazada y eso me da gusto!
Espero que tu nuevo album, este a la venta muy muy pronto, ya que me muero de ganas por tenerlo en mis manos!
Mis mejores Deseos para ti y para tu Nuevo Hijo, espero que pronto vengas de Gira a Mexico D.F.
Te Mando Mis Mas Sinceros Abrazos Y Besos!
Espero saber pronto mas de ti!
Saludos Desde Orizaba Veracruz Mexico!
I Love U so Much