Big Brother star Kate Lawler, 40, gives birth to ‘gorgeous’ baby girl

Kate Lawler has given birth to a ‘gorgeous’ baby girl. 

The former Big Brother star’s fiancé Martin announced the news on Instagram on Friday saying that both Kate and their daughter are ‘fine, fit and healthy’.

Martin described the labour as ‘complicated’ after Kate, 40, went into labour on Thursday, 11 days before her due date. 

Sharing a selfie leaving the hospital in the back of a taxi, Martin wrote: ‘Nuchky is gorgeous and has lots of hair which make me think Kate definitely has a hairy lover out there.’ 

First child Kate Lawler has given birth to a ‘gorgeous’ baby girl

He also said: ‘Hi everyone, sorry for the radio silence, it’s been a long day.  

‘Nuchky is fine, fit and healthy, as is Kate. We had a bit of complication but Nuchky is ok and on the quick mend and will be with us tomorrow, all being good.

‘Kate is absolutely pooped so I’ve left her to sleep and I’m going to try and get some shut eye myself.

‘I didn’t know how else to tell the news except with these s**t cab selfies but thank you for all of your messages.

‘It’s been an overwhelming day. I’m glad to see she has about 200,000 aunties ready to march for her if she ever needs help.’

Kate announced she had gone into labour on Thursday morning- four days ahead of her baby’s planned birth by planned caesarean section. 

Kate wrote: ‘It’s finally happening!’

Alongside a photograph of herself strapped up to monitors and wearing a facemask, Kate explained she was waiting to find out if she can be scheduled in for an abdominal birth. 

She wrote: ‘Good morning all. My waters broke at 5:45am this morning. 

‘I’m in hospital 11 days before my due date and 4 days ahead of my planned birth but I guess little Nuchky is ready to meet us!

‘I’ve been monitored, had bloods and Covid test and am now waiting to hear from the doctor.

‘Boj isn’t allowed in until a decision has been made on whether they can fit me in today for an abdominal birth but hopefully they can and he will be allowed to come with me for the arrival of our little girl. It’s finally happening! x’ 

Update: Alongside a photograph of herself strapped up to monitors, and wearing a facemask, Kate told her followers that she was waiting to find out if she can be fit in for an abdominal birth

Update: Alongside a photograph of herself strapped up to monitors, and wearing a facemask, Kate told her followers that she was waiting to find out if she can be fit in for an abdominal birth

Days early: 'I'm in hospital 11 days before my due date and 4 days ahead of my planned birth but I guess little Nuchky is ready to meet us!' explained Kate

Days early: ‘I’m in hospital 11 days before my due date and 4 days ahead of my planned birth but I guess little Nuchky is ready to meet us!’ explained Kate

Baby daddy: Kate is expecting a little girl with her fiancé, and partner of seven years, Martin

Baby daddy: Kate is expecting a little girl with her fiancé, and partner of seven years, Martin

Many stars were quick to send their well-wishes to the mother-to-be, with new mum Charlotte Dawson writing: ‘OMG so exciting.’

New dad Marcel Somerville commented: ‘Good Luck Kate. amazing news.’

Vicky Pattison wrote: ‘Good luck gorgeous girl.’

Gemma Atkinson added: ‘Good luck Kate!!! You got this!’ 

Vogue Williams enthused: ‘So exciting!’ and Ashley James wrote: ‘OMG! Good luck lovely one. How exciting.’

Star supporters: Many stars were quick to send their well-wishes to the mother-to-be

Star supporters: Many stars were quick to send their well-wishes to the mother-to-be

The Virgin Radio host and her fiancé and partner of seven years are filming a new TV show together, documenting their journey from pregnancy to parenthood. 

Kate was previously adamant about never wanting children, until she turned 40 and realised Martin was the one she wanted to have a baby with.  

The presenter has shared her worries that Martin may not be able to attend the birth of their child due to rising COVID-19 cases. 

She explained that she has a ‘huge fear of childbirth’ and said she is ‘upset’ at the thought of welcoming her baby ‘without the person I love holding my hand’.

Reality stardom: Kate shot to fame on the third season of Big Brother, which she went on to win

Reality stardom: Kate shot to fame on the third season of Big Brother, which she went on to win

WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL REASONS FOR A CAESAREAN?

There are various reasons why a doctor may recommend that you have a caesarean section instead of giving birth vaginally.

If you had complications in a previous pregnancy or birth, or in your current pregnancy, you may be advised to have what’s called a planned or elective caesarean, or a planned repeat caesarean.

If you were planning to give birth vaginally, but complications during labour or birth mean that you’re advised to give birth by caesarean, you’ll have what’s called an unplanned or emergency caesarean. 

Here are some reasons why doctors may opt for a planned or emergency caesarean, rather than a vaginal birth:

  • You’ve already had at least one caesarean section.
  • Your baby is in a bottom-down, or breech, position.
  • Your baby is in a sideways (transverse) position, or keeps changing its position (unstable lie).
  • You have a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia).
  • You have a medical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes.
  • You have lost a baby in the past, either before or during labour.
  • You’re expecting twins or more.
  • Your baby is not growing as well as it should be in your womb.
  • You have severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, making it dangerous to delay the birth.

Source: BabyCentre 

Kate continued, thinking of others who have endured the process alone: ‘So first of all, my heart goes out to any woman who’s had to give birth without their partner there.

‘As someone who has a huge fear of childbirth, the idea of giving birth to my baby alone without the person I love there holding my hand is just terrifying.

‘It’s just not for me, it’s not what I want. So of course I’m upset, but there’s nothing we can do.’       

The former reality star has been very candid throughout her pregnancy and often updated fans on how she was feeling as her due date approached. 

Last week, Kate revealed that she’s ’embracing’ all of the changes she’s going through, including the weight gain and having ‘nipples like cigarette butts’.

Speaking on her Maybe Baby podcast with her beau and guest Giovanna Fletcher, the Big Brother winner admitted she’s found the entire process fascinating.

She said: ‘I’ve really embraced the changes in my body. It’s the biggest I’ve been and I love it. 

‘I even love my massive areolas and the fact my nipples look like cigarette butts, I do love it.’ 

Current NHS guidelines set out in mid December state that pregnant women should be allowed to take someone with them to hospital appointments and have them by their side during labour.

Under COVID regulations brought in in 2020 mothers-to-be were required to go to appointments alone and leave partners, friends or relatives outside.  

Kate scheduled an elective abdominal birth on the NHS due to her fear of spontaneous births.

The Big Brother star announced her pregnancy in September, two years after revealing her engagement to Martin.  

In December, Kate explained her reasons for opting for a C-section through the NHS and her fears of going into labour.  

In the run-up to the birth, she detailed: ‘9 weeks to go! 30 weeks pregnant today and knowing that little Nuchky’s arrival is at 39 weeks has made my day.

‘I had a really positive video call with an NHS obstetrician about birth options and we discussed my fear of childbirth along with various facts and figures on both abdominal and spontaneous births.’

‘Thankfully she was understanding and told me that with elective abdominal births on the NHS, they’ll book me in for my due date minus 7 days which is February 15th, the day after Valentines Day.’ (sic) 

CURRENT NHS GUIDELINES FOR MATERNITY SERVICES IN ENGLAND 

In December 2020 the NHS issued new guidelines for all hospital trusts in England ‘to urgently complete any further action needed so that partners can accompany women to all appointments and throughout birth.’

Three steps have been advised:

1. Undertake a risk assessment in each part of maternity service to identify precisely whether and if so where there is an elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission if support people are present (eg if space prevents social distancing) 

2. Make changes to the configuration of space used to provide care and/or how the available space is used to address the issues highlighted in the risk assessment, alongside provision of other appropriate infection prevention and control measures, including training and PPE

3. Use your available testing capacity (eg PCR, rapid PCR testing, or lateral flow testing) to test women and their support people to help mitigate infection risks, in particular for scan appointments, for fetal medicine appointments, at birth, and for parents whose babies require neonatal care. Treat support people who test negative as part of the team supporting the woman