RTÉ star Kathryn Thomas and her husband Padraig McLoughlin are expecting their second child together in a matter of weeks, a sibling to their three-year-old daughter Ellie.
As she nears the end of her pregnancy journey, Kathryn has opened up about how ‘lucky’ she is with such a ‘great pregnancy’, even though it’s quite different to her first.
“A couple of weeks now left to go so definitely feeling it. Definitely feeling that the time is approaching. But I’ve been really lucky, I’ve had a great pregnancy, I’ve been able to be mobile. I haven’t been that sick.”
Continuing she shared, “But it’s definitely been a more physical pregnancy this time than on my last one.
“I feel it more. I kind of feel heavier and probably am a little bit less mobile in the last couple of weeks than I would’ve been on her”, she said while speaking on Ireland AM.
“A lot of people say that on your second pregnancy that happens anyway. I think as well at 42, I’m 42, so I would’ve been younger having Ellie so that’s probably it as well.
“I’m somebody who likes to keep moving and keep active and so for me actually having to sit and put the feet up is the challenge.”
Kathryn continued to say that she’s less anxious this time around, but doesn’t like to think of the idea of her husband, Padraig, won’t be with her in the labour ward due to restrictions.
“I would’ve been a lot more anxious on my first pregnancy because of the journey we had to go [through] to get there. I think it’s like anything when you do it for the first time, your anxiety levels are heightened.
“Whereas this time around I felt a little more well equipped to go into it but that’s not to say I didn’t miss Padraig being able to be at the scans. Looking at all the partners out in the car park.
“Yes during Covid it was completely understandable why it had to happen but that doesn’t make it any less stressful because every time you’re going into a scan, you’re trying to stay positive but you always have that little niggling doubt. And I really feel for partners…To have that kind of separation for them outside, it’s really tough.”
Continuing, Kathryn said she’s optimistic as the restrictions are set to ease from October 22nd, “I’m trying not to even go there. I’m trying to sort of stay in the moment and stay positive.
“And what will be will be. Obviously, we’re hopeful that things will change but I just feel like – and I think a lot of moms will feel like that as well – you’ve just got to keep your head where it needs to be.”