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PARENTING ISSUE
LAURA HAMILTON ‘I didn’t let my kids have the MMR jab’
STEPHANIE WARING
WIN!
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JIMMY DOHERTY
‘Why I think school dinners still need improving’
TYLA CARR
E S I N DE
‘My back-to-school fashion advice’
‘Baby buys for my son Archie’
N E T U O VAN PLUS... DAN OSBORNE The reality star on his favourite family holidays
hile talks juggling work w Betsy r te h g u a d r e ft a g in k loo
NICOLA MCLEAN ‘I don’t think anyone should home-school their child’
Celebrity Secrets is an independent magazine published by Hurst Media Company Ltd (who take sole responsibility for its content) and distributed by OK! magazine
In this issue...
Contents 5 DENISE VAN OUTEN
Looking after her daughter Betsy while juggling her career
9 STEPHANIE WARING
Are you the mum that’s relishing every second of the summer holidays – or are you counting down the days until your little darlings are back at school? Whatever you’re doing this summer, it’s good to know the celebs are up to the same. Take our cover star, Denise Van Outen. Juggling work over the six-week break while looking after daughter Betsy is no easy feat, as you’ll see in our exclusive interview on page five. We’ve caught up with Dan Osborne about where he travels with wife Jacqueline and the kids (p21) and speak to Hollyoaks’ Stephanie Waring about raising her daughters as a single mum (p9). Jimmy Doherty’s talking school dinners on page 12; Tyla Carr chats about her life as a mum on page 30; while Laura Hamilton reveals the family tragedy that led to her refusing her kids the MMR jab on page 22. Finally, we chat to the always-outspoken Nicola McLean, who believes Stacey Solomon got it wrong when it came to home-schooling her boys (p18)…
Why you won’t find the actress glammed up on the school run
12 JIMMY DOHERTY
If his kids are fussy with food he simply gives them double!
18 NICOLA MCLEAN
She missed a flight to Italy so she didn’t miss her sons’ sports’ day
21 DAN OSBORNE
Where the star chooses to spend quality family-time
She believes a 7pm bedtime is important for her kids’ health
See you next issue…
28 CS LOVES
Products and services you’ll love to try
30 TYLA CARR
For more from Denise visit
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An independent magazine published by Hurst Media Company Limited (who take sole responsibility for its content) but distributed by OK! magazine. Although care is taken in ensuring that the contents of our publication are in compliance with the Advertising Standards Authority and The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Codes), readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the publication. Celebrity Secrets is a registered Trade Mark of Hurst Media Company Limited. All prices correct at time of going to press. hurstmediacompany.co.uk
IMAGE CREDIT: Alan Strutt/Celebrity Pictures
22 LAURA HAMILTON
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Denise Van Outen COVER STAR | 5
The TV presenter and actress talks exclusively to Celebrity Secrets about life as a mum to nine-year-old daughter Betsy Interview Claire Muffett-Reece
Denise Van Outen is in a surprisingly chatty mood for first thing on a Monday. The TV presenter and actress has just returned from a holiday to Spain with her nine-year-old daughter Betsy, and has clearly enjoyed the break away. She’s also spent part of the summer holidays in Melbourne, filming her role as Prue Wallace in Neighbours. Having to juggle work with looking after Betsy in the six-week break is no easy feat, so it’s lucky she has a great relationship wih her ex-husband, actor Lee Mead. ‘We always figure out a way so Betsy’s with one of us the entire time she’s off school,’ she explains. Here, we sit down with the star to find out more about her life as a busy mum…
I’m definitely guilty of telling the odd white lie to Betsy!
IMAGE CREDIT: Alan Strutt / Celebrity Pictures, instagram.com/vanouten_denise
You’ve teamed up with HomeAway as they guarantee to return any cuddly toy left in one of their rental properties via the ‘HomeAway Teddy Express’… ‘This happens all the time! You are trying to pack to go home and aren’t familiar with the surroundings, so toys get left behind. It can ruin a holiday.’ HomeAway also revealed the excuses parents tell their child when their toy goes missing. Have you fibbed to Betsy when you’ve lost something? ‘I’m definitely guilty of telling the odd white lie. You raise your kids to always tell the truth, then find yourself making stuff up when it comes to keeping them happy!’
Denise loves being with Betsy over the summer
Have you ever left Betsy’s toys behind? ‘I left Foxy and Rabbit, Betsy’s toys she’s had for years, on holiday. I pretended they’d gone back home to check on the house! When we got home my mum had bought some others that looked similar, but Betsy realised straight away that they weren’t hers!’ celebritysecrets.com
6 | COVER STAR How’s Betsy getting on at school these days? ‘Many people know that Betsy suffers from dyslexia and dyspraxia, so I decided to take her out of school to teach her at home for a while. At first she was in a school that was highly academic and very much about grades, which was too much pressure for her. I then moved her to a more specialist school, but unfortunately they weren’t equipped well enough for the education she needs.’ What do you mean by that? ‘The problem is you have schools that Denise chose to cater for kids with home-school Betsy recently extreme learning difficulties, but there’s none suitable for those that only need a little extra support with their learning. As Stacey Solomon and Nadia Sawalha have experience in home-schooling I asked for their advice – and I felt like it was the best option. I home-taught for a few months to give Betsy some one-to-one and the chance to properly catch up, while we looked for a school that offered the support that she needs.’
I took Betsy out of her primary and decided to home-school her
Are you the kind of mum that’s always baking for the PTA? ‘Not yet, but that’s because Betsy was only at her new school for six weeks before they broke up for the summer holidays. We did make sure we went to her sports’ day, though. My boyfriend Eddie ran the eggand-spoon and three-legged parent races as her dad, Lee, was away filming. He won both of them – and Betsy was delighted!’ Have you been enjoying having Betsy off for the summer holidays? ‘It’s been fun! The two of us have been on holiday to Spain, as every year I try and have celebritysecrets.com
More from Denise at celebrity secrets.com
one little holiday where I can focus solely on Betsy. I’ve also been in Australia filming Neighbours, so Lee’s been looking after her. We don’t tend to put Betsy in any holiday clubs, as we have to fit in around each other’s work schedule.’ Betsy’s starting Year Five in a couple of weeks. Are you back to school ready? ‘I’m feeling smug as I don’t need to buy anything! As she only started her new school a few weeks before the summer holidays her uniform, lunch box and school
bag are still new. It worked out well, as my filming commitments would mean there’d be no time to get organised otherwise.’ Before you know it Betsy will be at secondary school. Have you discussed any plans yet? ‘I need to see how she gets on in Year Five first of all, as the learning support she’ll receive will make a big difference. We only moved to the area a year ago, so I still have to research the surrounding secondary schools. I’m sure the primary she’s in now will also suggest somewhere suitable.’
Surely having Betsy in secondary school will give you the time to expand your family… ‘Betsy doesn’t want me to have another baby – and Eddie and I have gone off the idea, too! At one stage we talked about me getting pregnant, but now we’ve changed our minds. Children are a real gift in life, but Eddie’s kids are all grown up and they might have their own children soon. Then he’ll be a grandad!’ Denise has been working with HomeAway on their Teddy Express campaign homeaway.co.uk
IMAGE CREDIT: Alan Strutt / Celebrity Pictures, instagram.com/vanouten_denise
What are her favourite subjects? ‘Betsy started her new school back in June and loves history and English literature. With dyslexia it’s not that you can’t do it, it’s just a different way of processing. Betsy’s a visual learner, so we use this to help her with subjects she’s struggling with, such as maths.’
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EDUCATION | 9
Stephanie Waring The Hollyoaks actress on raising her daughters as a single mum
IMAGE CREDIT: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment
Interview Lauren Naylor
How do you juggle acting and being a single mum of two? ‘I’ve been doing this for 11 years now so know what I’m doing! My youngest daughter Mia was only two at the time, and it was much harder back then than it is now the girls are older. Mia’s 13 and gets herself to school and back, and I also have help from my mum and sister. My sister’s a stay-at-home mum, so she becomes my childminder over the summer holidays!’ How often do the girls see their dads? ‘I’ve been establishing a routine for years, and I have one week on with the girls and one week off when they each go to see their dad. I never stress – I know that the kids will always be
taken care of. We all co-parent very well and keep out of each other’s personal lives, staying in touch purely for our daughters.’ Which subjects are the girls enjoying at school? ‘As Mia is at senior school and Lexi is at primary they are both at very different levels in terms of their education. They’re both superintelligent, though! Mia is much more into make-up and seeing what she can get away with at times, but she also loves food technology and is very creative when it comes to art and design. Lexi is about to start Year Four and picks things up so easily. She’s really excelling in her reading right now, and we’re just working to get her maths totally up to speed. I love how she absolutely adores going to school.’
How are the girls in general? ‘Lexi is so popular, which is lovely to see, as I was a bit of a loner when I was young. Mia also has a good core of girlfriends. She goes to the same all-girls’ school that I went to, which brings back a lot of memories. It’s weird raising a teenager, as there’s always some kind of drama. I’m learning as I go along, as it’s completely different from having a younger child.’
Mia is at the age where she’s really into make-up – and seeing what she can get away with!
Do the girls like school dinners? ‘Lexi has school dinners as I want to make sure she eats proper food. Mia has a packed lunch, or she’d just choose rubbish otherwise! Her high school lets their kids pick what they want, so I’d rather make sure she’s eating healthily. The kids eat completely differently. Sometimes I have to prepare three different meals for dinner to keep everyone happy!’ More on page 10
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Continued from page 9
Do they like wearing uniform? ‘I certainly do! I love that there are no distinctions between anyone, and having a uniform also saves on washing – just imagine getting a new outfit out every day! I tend to go to Sainsbury’s and Asda to get the basic school clothes I need. The girls can then express themselves on the weekend. Mia is what I’d call a trendy tomboy – she’s never been a girlie girl. Lexi likes wearing shorts, leggings and t-shirts.’ Do you get dressed up for the school run? ‘I don’t spend any time in the playground – I’m there to drop my child off to school. I’m not getting dressed up to impress anyone. Applying make-up or putting on a particular outfit is the last thing I think about in the mornings!’ How would you describe your parenting? ‘I’m a really good friend to my girls, but I’m also strict when I need to be, and have no qualms in telling them right from wrong.
It winds me up when people have strong opinions and tell others what to do. You have to do it the right way for your kids, and every child is different. There’s no set manual or rule book – just do what you think is best.’ Are your girls showing signs of what they want to be when they’re older? ‘Lexi’s only young and is still very much a “go with the flow” kind of girl. She really does live in the moment. Mia wants to be a make-up artist, and she’s really into horses. I’m fine for her to do make-up, and I guess I could help her get into it in a way, but I did say she’d need a fall back – so maybe she could look into running a stable.’ Would you be happy if they wanted to act? ‘I wouldn’t be against them acting, but I wouldn’t advocate it, either. I’d definitely never influence their choices. Right now they have no aspirations to act, and to be honest I wouldn’t advise it. It’s so hard to get into this business and
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Stephanie has played Cindy in Hollyoaks for 24 years
I think everyone just wants to be famous, and to many it’s not even about the arts anymore.’
What about other technology? ‘They both have an iPad, and Lexi uses the TikTok app to create cool videos. Do the girls Kids now are raised have access to so differently to social media? what I was. If you Stephanie doesn’t believe ‘Neither of my her girls should have wanted to call a friend access to social media kids have Instagram, you’d run to the local and I also don’t want phone box. And if you them to be obsessed with their arranged to meet up, you’d have phones. I want to shield them to tell your friends the time to as much as I can from social meet you and where – and then media. I lived without a mobile you’d have to be there!’ for 18 years when I was growing Catch Stephanie as Cindy in up and I turned out just fine!’ Hollyoaks, weekdays on Channel 4
IMAGE CREDIT: James Stack/LIMEPICTURES, instagram.com/stephwaring
10 | EDUCATION
12 | FOOD & DRINK
Jimmy Doherty The TV presenter and dad of four on school dinners and avoiding fast food Interview Claire Muffett-Reece
MY GIRLS AREN’T FUSSY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD ‘I’ve never believed in serving the kids different meals – why give yourself more work when you don’t have to? We cook it so they eat it – and if they don’t, we give them double, so they quickly learn to get on with it! Having said
that they eat everything from mussels to blue cheese. If they see me eating something they haven’t tried before I’ll say, “you can’t have this, it’s too delicious” which then makes them keen to dig in.’ WE ALL LOVE HAGGIS ‘This is one of our go-to family meals that I know the kids will always enjoy. We have it about Jimmy’s family always eats a Sunday once a month, roast together sometimes with veg but often with fresh pasta. The girls basically love anything they can get to put together themselves, so tacos, sticky ribs and duck pancakes are always a winner in our house.’
DON’T KNOCK FREEZER FOOD ‘Like all families we have a “beige” drawer in our freezer. The girls love fish and chips, so we’ve always got some frozen fish at home. I make fresh chips ideally, but if they’ve been busy with after school clubs then oven chips it is!’
THEY DON’T EVER ASK FOR HAPPY MEALS We honestly don’t get asked for McDonald’s from the kids. We drove past one the other day and two of the girls said they weren’t interested in it at all! They love the free range beef and pork we have at our butchery and restaurant, so I suppose that helps.’ More on page 14
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FAMILY MEALS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME ‘Sometimes I get home late in the evening and Molly Rose, eight, Cora Mae, seven, Neve, three and Bo-Lila, one, have already eaten. The one thing we always do is have Sunday lunch together. It’s not without its issues, though – the kids will bicker about who wants to sit next to who, who wants what colour plate or who gets the biggest Yorkshire pudding!’
14 | FOOD & DRINK Continued from page 12
MY KIDS ARE BIG ON SCHOOL DINNERS ‘My two eldest have school dinners. I think the whole dining experience at school is really important, from everyone eating together, to actually getting some sort of nutritional value from your food. I also like the idea of there being a standard meal for all of the pupils. It can get a bit tricky if one kid has something a bit fancy in their lunchbox and another doesn’t, so this way no one feels left out.’
GET THE KIDS INVOLVED WITH FAMILY MEALS ‘To prevent fussy eating it’s important to encourage your kids to experiment with food by letting them cook! Get them to help you create a dish like an omelette, then give options to experiment. Ask what kind of cheese they want to put in or which colour pepper, throwing different things into the mix for them to try.’
SCHOOL MEALS STILL NEED OUR HELP ‘School dinners have come a long way, but now it’s important that legislation comes in to regulate it. We test our schools in terms of education and gym equipment, but we don’t do it with meals, which is just as important.’
MY GIRLS ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO COOK ‘The girls love helping out in the kitchen. On Sundays I make us all a big batch of pancakes, and they love to get involved. They also help cook whenever I’m filming at home – they’re desperate to be a part of it!’ For more information on Jimmy’s Farm visit jimmysfarm.com
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16 | FOOD & DRINK
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18 | FASHION & BEAUTY
Nicola McLean The Celebrity Big Brother star on school run fashion and beauty – and why Stacey Solomon’s got it wrong Interview Lauren Naylor
MY SCHOOL MUM FRIENDS ARE A GREAT BUNCH ‘If one of the kids loses a jumper, or another mum needs to buy a new gym kit, one of us might have an old one we can donate. If I need to get the boys a new school kit, I trust M&S for their smart slim fit trousers, but I go to Tesco for their two for £2.50 shirts! The boys always look so smart and pristine when I send them to school. I don’t know what they do all day, but they come back a right mess!’
THESE BEAUTY CHEATS WORK ‘When I was young no one ever saw me without make-up, but as I’ve aged I wear loads or nothing at all. I get individual lashes done, and have had semi-permanent eyebrows and liner, and every few months I have subtle Botox. Because of this, I feel confident enough going make-up free.’
I never pressured my boys to do homework before Year 4
I WILL ALWAYS PUT MY SONS’ SCHOOLS FIRST ‘I was meant to be going to Italy with my husband Tom, and my flight was booked and everything was organised. Just before we went I decided to double-check the dates and realised it would mean I’d miss the boys’ school sports’ day – so I didn’t go! I wouldn’t miss anything at their schools, even if it means depriving myself of some sunshine!’
MY BOYS DON’T DO I WAS BULLIED SCHOOL DINNERS WHEN I WAS AT ‘My sons are very SCHOOL active, playing ‘When I was football or at primary doing PE every school I got day, and they picked on for eat well with having a squint the packed and glasses. I lunches I give She rarely gets made-up got called “ugly”, them. The truth for the school run and I firmly believe is they are just this was the driving force not overly-fussed in me becoming a model. I on school dinners. I saw it as a big finger up to my also know they hate bullies! Because of the bullying, queueing for food, just I started senior school with a like me. It’s something completely different attitude. I think was linked to Even now whenever I feel my eating disorders, insecure or anxious, I become and I just can’t do it.’ very defensive and rude.’ I WON’T EVER I DON’T AGREE TOLERATE BULLYING YOU SHOULD ‘If my boys ever bullied HOME-SCHOOL anyone, I would take their YOUR CHILD prized possessions away from ‘I really don’t them, such as their PlayStation. She doesn’t agree with Stacey Solomon agree with the Quite simply it would never be home-schooling whole concept of tolerated in my household. I am home-schooling. very present in their school life Nicola with her sons A lot of what you and would be straight down to Rocky and Striker I DON’T DO MY MAKE-UP learn at school is the school FOR THE SCHOOL RUN about discipline, as well to action this. ‘I have two looks, one of which as dealing with any playground However, I is “just rocked out of bed”, while politics and learning some know that they the other’s “glam mum” – which solid life skills along the way. I would never would only ever be if I’ve been know Stacey Solomon homepick on anyone, working or I’m going on a posh schools her two eldest, but because of lunch. I don’t care what anyone then she’s also been dealing the way I have thinks of me – I’m there to with post-natal depression and brought both take the kids to school. If I was anxiety after the birth of her of them up.’ full-on glam, or if I turned up son, Rex. If she’s struggling to in my leggings I’d get judged cope or even leave the house, MY BOYS KNOW NOT TO FIGHT either way – I really can’t win!’ what are the boys doing?’ ‘I’ve taught Rocky and Striker to have respect for each other, and there’s never been a physical fight between the CELEBRITY SECRETS LOVES two of them. It always upsets me that so many parents still Instant Effects promises visible skincare choose to smack their children. results fast. With independent clinical trials I’ve always educated my kids behind every product, we love Triple Eye that smacking or fighting is not Complex (£34.99) to banish dark circles and an option. However, if anyone puffiness. Available at Lloyds Pharmacy. relentlessly hit my child at myinstanteffects.com school, I’d be fine with them retaliating in this instance!’
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KIDS GET TOO MUCH HOMEWORK AT PRIMARY ‘I never pressured my boys with homework before Year 4. Now they come in and do it straight away. Their memories are unbelievable – Striker learnt a poem word-for-word after reading it just three times!’ Nicola’s summer collection of slogan t-shirts are available now from virgoseven.com
IMAGE CREDIT: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment, instagram.com/nicolamclean30, instagram.com/staceysolomon
I LIKE THE FACT MY KIDS WEAR SCHOOL UNIFORM ‘My eldest, Rocky, is 13 now and has to wear a smart blazer for secondary school, while Striker, who’s nine, has a branded school jumper. I think it is really important that schools are strict on their uniform, as it prevents bullying to an extent by keeping everything on an even keel. When it comes to uniforms everyone is equal.’
Dan Osborne The reality star on his travels with wife Jacqueline Jossa and the kids Interview Claire Muffett-Reece
IMAGE CREDIT: Keith Mayhew/ZumaPress/PA Images, instagram.com/danosborneofficial
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More from Dan at celebrity secrets.com
UK COAST
‘Jacqueline and I visited the island as just the two of us for a mini break. We stayed in a beautiful villa but were only there for three nights because of the kids. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that great, but Mykonos itself is stunning. We made sure we visited a couple of really nice restaurants while we were there. I recommend Scorpios – both the setting and food was fantastic!’ STAY HERE Mykonos’ Kouros Hotel & Suites is a five-star boutique hotel offering private pools and hot tubs, spa and unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea. kouroshotelmykonos.gr
TRAVEL & ACTIVITIES | 21
‘You don’t have to go abroad for a holiday! We own a caravan by the sea and the kids love it. There’s a park, arcades and swimming pool and it’s a fun weekend away.’ STAY HERE Birchington Vale Holiday Park is ideal for a beach break, with a £2m complex with swimming pool, shop and cafe-restaurant. parkholidays.com CELEBRITY SECRETS LOVES
Dan and Jacqueline enjoyed Mykonos together
SmarTrike, Britain’s most favoured kids’ tricycle, is now stroller-certified! It folds down small and is expandable through six stages as your child grows, giving great value for money. smartrike.com
22 | HEALTH
Laura Hamilton The TV presenter on keeping her kids fit and healthy Interview Claire Muffett-Reece
Are your kids Rocco, five, and Tahlia, four, healthy overall? ‘They’re generally very well. Of course they get the occasional cough and cold, but I’m very much someone who says “you’re fine, it’s just a cold” and they’ll get on with it. They do both spend a lot of time in the water swimming, and surprisingly we’ve only ever had one ear infection between the two of them!’
few spots came up, then Tahlia got poorly and the doctor said she had it but with no spots, either. I know that it effects everyone differently, so I think we were lucky.’ What about tummy bugs? ‘We had a salmonella incident in Antigua and it was awful. Rocco was worse than Tahlia and I felt totally helpless. He was sick all over the hotel floor and needed the toilet – it was so upsetting for him. We’ve had a few sickness incidents at home, too, and of course it was after eating spaghetti Bolognese – the stains on my poor cream carpet! Worst of all, my husband Alex and I were out, so our babysitter had to deal with it while we were rushing to get back home!’
Have either of them caught chicken pox? ‘They’ve both had it but we got off so lightly. I never thought I’d had chicken pox, but I had a test when I was pregnant and they said I had. I must have caught it as a child but never developed spots. Rocco got it and literally a
Do they have any other health concerns at all? ‘Tahlia really snores her head off, and someone once told me that it could be due to something with her nose and tonsils. Then again she should grow out of it. It’s so funny though – she sounds like a little old man when she’s asleep!’
More on page 25
Laura and husband Alex make sure their kids are in bed by 7pm
IMAGE CREDIT: instagram.com/ laurahamiltontv
Rocco and Tahlia got salmonella when we were in Antigua
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Fingers crossed I’m fertile
HEALTH | 23
The Fertility Partnership achieves some of the highest success rates in Europe
Just as Supermodel and star of America’s Next Top Model Tara Banks said “When I was 23, I would tell myself, ‘In three years, I’m going to have kids!’ And then every single year I kept saying that and then after a while it’s like, okay now I want to and it’s not so easy.” Sound familiar? So many of us are like Tara, establishing our lives in our 20s, delaying pregnancy until our 30s, always thinking that it will be ok, but will it? For many this is a viable option, but fertility problems are more common than you think. Did you know one in seven couples in the UK will experience problems getting pregnant? To dispel the myth and change the narrative that all women can get pregnant whenever they choose, celebrities are opening up about their fertility issues. Kim Kardashian shared her challenges with second infertility, The largest Emma Bunton provider of raised awareness of endometriosis fertility care in after being and remove the the UK, find your diagnosed with stigma surrounding closest clinic the condition and the challenge of today notably, Michelle having a baby. Obama revealed According to Professor that she suffered a Tim Child, Medical Director miscarriage and struggled at The Fertility Partnership, the to conceive before turning UK’s biggest provider of fertility to IVF to conceive her two care, a straightforward Fertility beautiful daughters, Malia and Assessment can identify any Sasha. In sharing their stories, issues. Doing this in your 20s will they hope to break the taboo allow you to see how successful
you will be getting pregnant later down the line or highlight if action is needed earlier, when treatments achieve a greater success of conception. The Fertility Assessments are done in one or two short appointments, and include blood tests, as well as an ultrasound to check ovaries, uterus and count your antral follicles. These test results together with a full review of you and your family’s medical history, will allow your consultant to give you an accurate picture of your fertility. With fertility problems in men on the rise, it’s equally important for men to be tested. Clinics can quickly and accurately assess the situation, and advise what lifestyle changes or treatment is needed.
Find out more... It’s easy to organise a Fertility Assessment, simply ask your GP or contact one of The Fertility Partnership’s 35 clinics across the country. Visit thefertilitypartnership.com or call us on 01865 782 800. celebritysecrets.com
Iron in pregnancy, there is a better way
WE MADE IRON BETTER… There is an increased need for iron when pregnant. During this time the amount of blood in your body increases by 30-50%. This elevates the requirement for iron and vitamins as they are needed to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to other cells in your body. Iron is essential to life. It contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and plays an important role in normal energy metabolism, oxygen transport, cognitive function, immune function and formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin. CAN I ALWAYS GET ENOUGH IRON FROM MY FOOD DURING PREGNANCY? You can get iron from food but it may not be absorbed well, and it may not be sufficient to meet your increased requirements during pregnancy. “Even if you enjoy balanced meals, most people absorb only 10 per cent of iron from their diet,” explains Dr Dawn Harper (ironreport. co.uk). When your dietary intake doesn’t meet your iron needs, you may need to supplement. However, some iron supplements can irritate the gut causing unpleasant side effects and are not absorbed particularly well by the body. celebritysecrets.com
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24 | HEALTH
Continued from page 22
Have you had your kids vaccinated? ‘They both had the nasal flu spray, which was offered through their school. I didn’t let Rocco and Tahlia have the MMR as a combined vaccination though, because 20 years ago my cousin had a massive reaction
HEALTH | 25 immediately after having it. Her immune system couldn’t cope and as a result she’s now registered blind and is waiting for a lung transplant. It was awful seeing that happen and life certainly isn’t easy for her. Rocco and Tahlia have now had those injections, but individually.’
How do you monitor their diet? ‘Tahlia isn’t a fan of sweet things – she prefers veg and will snack on mangetout! Rocco loves broccoli, but has a sweet tooth and always wants pudding. At school they’ve learnt about the traffic light system on food labels, which is brilliant, as Rocco knows if something’s healthy or not.’
Do you have any other routines that benefit your family’s health? ‘I’m obsessive about cleaning and disinfecting everything, but I feel that when my home is clean and organised my mind is too. I know it’s rubbing off on the children, which probably isn’t a great thing, but at least they’re learning the importance of cleanliness, which I believe has an impact on being healthy.’
My cousin’s blind and is on a lung transplant waiting list after the MMR
And what do you do in terms of family exercise? ‘We have an action-packed The family are all keen week after school, from skiers which keeps football and gymnastics to them fit and healthy tennis, ballet and swimming. We occasionally go for family walks and both the children have bikes. Skiing is a big family activity for us, too. We got the children on skis aged two and three and now try to go twice a year. Thankfully they love it as much as Alex and I do!’
What are your thoughts on the kids having a good night’s sleep? ‘We get them to bed at 7pm, and that’s a routine I stick to More from Laura at even when we celebrity travel. It’s important secrets.com for their health, but us parents, too!’ Laura presents Channel 4’s A Place in The Sun, alongside running her local coffee shop and deli, Lord Roberts on the Green lordrobertsonthegreen.com
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Love your bump with Babyopathy
HEALTH | 27
It may sound a silly thing to have to say but many women don’t realise the importance of giving their baby bump (and baby within) lots of TLC! Negativity has become commonplace during pregnancy, birth and baby’s first year. ‘Loving your From social media body, especially and Instagramyour bump, is imagery to some very important’ women pushing the boundaries to get a moment of fame, women are under so much pressure they do not know which way to turn. LOVING YOUR PREGNANT BODY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS First of all, it’s having to work extremely hard to nurture the new life inside you. Your heart is having to work harder; hormones are flooding your body causing many changes; and by the third trimester your growing baby will be pushing everything inside up towards
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28 | CELEBRITY SECRETS LOVES PARENTING
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CELEBRITY SECRETS LOVES PARENTING | 29
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30 | NEW MUMS
Tyla Carr The Love Island star talks baby buys for her son Archie Interview Claire Muffett-Reece
THE GRO COMPANY OLLIE THE OWL LIGHT AND SOUND SLEEP AID ‘If Archie starts to stir this owl comes on automatically, Ollie the Owl Light and Sound Sleep Aid and features four different £34.99 gro-store.com sounds to soothe him back to sleep. I’m trying to be strong and show him that bedtime means bedtime – and this is definitely helping!’
BABY GUMZ TEETHING MITTEN ‘This product is Baby Gumz Teething amazing! It’s a selfMitten £12.95 amazon.co.uk soothing teether that you put on your little one’s hand, meaning it doesn’t get dropped or lost. It keeps Archie happy as he can chew away on it when his gums are irritating.’
ELC BABY PERCUSSION MAT ‘A baby Archie’s age should have three lots of tummy time a day – and this is perfect for that. It has a little tummy cushion and is super-entertaining, thanks to its musical keys, flashing ELC Baby lights and Percussion different Mat £29.99 sounds.’ mothercare.com
FISHER-PRICE ROARING RAINFOREST JUMPEROO ‘Archie loves his Jumperoo! I pop him in it while I get a few quick chores done. It entertains him and tires him out, as he’s not yet crawling. I sometimes put him in it for a bit before he goes down for his nap.’
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Fisher-Price Roaring Rainforest Jumperoo £104.99 argos.co.uk
BABYBOO YUMMYBOO FEEDING BIB ‘If you’re looking for a bib that completely protects your baby’s clothes then this is the one for you. There’s a layer of organic cotton so it doesn’t irritate Archie’s skin, and it’s got double poppers to keep it in place.’
BabyBoo Yummy Boo Feeding Bib £12.50 babyboo.co.uk
Tyla lost weight and toned up using Muscle Food’s Do The Unthinkable diet and exercise programme musclefood.com/do-the-unthinkable