Introducing Ruby Megan Henson
In the latest issue of the U.K. version of OK! magazine, singer Charlotte Church, 21, and rugby player boyfriend Gavin Henson, 25, introduce their newborn daughter, Ruby Megan, now 2 weeks.
Gavin and Charlotte, who planned (and succeeded in having) a home water birth, describe her labor and delivery, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, how they chose their daughter’s name, baby weight, parenting thus far, and more.
Click below for all the photo and interview highlights.
On Charlotte leaving her hard-partying past behind:
I hadn’t really smoked for a year before I got pregnant. I decided togive it up for a New Year’s resolution. I went cold turkey on a stinkinghangover. Then after a while, every time I went out I would have a [smoke],but then I got pregnant, so that stopped straight away.
I never likedthe taste of alcohol anyway, so it was just to go out and get drunk andbe ridiculous and then talk about how funny it was the next day. Or not!
[I missed it a] bit in the summer when I saw people in beer gardens, and I thought Icould have a glass of wine, but apart from a glass of champagne on mybirthday, I didn’t drink at all because I don’t think you should whenyou’re pregnant. You’re growing a person inside you and I think it’sselfish to. You know it’s bad, so just don’t do it.
On the pregnancy:
I actually loved beingpregnant. I moaned my ass off: ‘Ooh my hips, my heartburn’ — but Iloved it.
On the labor:
Gavin begins,
I was meant to be leaving for a game, but Charlotte was 9 daysoverdue, so we had a couple of little trips up and down the bumpy roadleading up to our house and I think that started it off!
She startedhaving contractions when we were outside B&Q [a UK Home Depot-type store].
Charlotte laughs at the memory.
He’daccidentally locked me in the car and the alarm was going off, sopeople were coming out of B&Q hearing the alarm and looking at thecar, and then seeing it’s Charlotte Church in there. I was just tryingto hide but couldn’t — just sitting there having contractions!
I wanted to go for a meal at Toby Carvery, but the contractionswere every 5 minutes, so we came back.
I got in thebirthing pool, and Gavin was trying to submerge these bean bags.
Gavin explains,
I thought beforehand if she was sitting in the pool for a while, itwould be uncomfortable.
We were told we could get a couple of beanbags and chuck them in. So we fell for that one and we tried tosubmerge them, but it’s polystyrene, so we couldn’t push them down!
Charlotte continues,
I was in pain with these bean bags floating past me! I was so anxious before, thinking, ‘Is it really going to hurt that much?’ And it really does hurt that muchand ten million times more! The pain is outrageous!
[During the labor] theWales v Japan World Cup game was on, so we watched that. I was ongas and air [Entonox; a gas made up of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrousoxide] by that point, so I wasn’t really concentrating. Gavin was steaming some salmon [to have something to eat].
On the birth:
Gavin says,
You hear stories about women calling their blokes every name under thesun, but she wasn’t like that at all. We were squeezing each others’hands.
Charlotte asks,
I was telling you I loved you, wasn’t I? Saying ‘I loveyou, but I can’t do this!’ You were brilliant, you kept saying, ‘Justget through this one.’
The midwives said a lot of men panic and getstressed with their partners, but Gavin was as cool as a cucumber andthey were well impressed with him.
Then I had a shot of pethidine [Demorol] in myleg, and Ruby was born an hour later.
Gavin jokes,
If you knew it was only going to be an hour you wouldn’t have had that shot, would you?
Charlotte answers,
Yes, I absolutely would have! If there was an anesthetist there whosaid ‘Would you like an epidural?’ I would have!
You have to be inhospital to have one, so I’m glad it wasn’t an option, because not havingone made my recovery so much better — because you can feel everythingwhen you’re pushing, and I think you don’t do yourself as much damage.
It did bother me that [Gavin saw me at my most vulnerable]. I was saying, ‘Don’t look at what’s going on down there, look at my face!’
Confesses Gavin,
I had a quick look. I recommend it! The midwife called me when the babywas just coming out and to see that was amazing. You don’t know whatpeople are talking about unless you’ve been a part of it.
I had so muchmore respect and so much more love for Charlotte after what she’d justbeen through.
Meeting their daughter:
Gavin remembers,
I cut the cord. Charlotte didn’t speak for about ten minutes. She was in propershock! I was just so relieved that the baby looked really healthy. Ichecked everything and she looked beautiful! Not a mark on her — noteven any mucus on her, nothing. She just looked stunning.
It was 10:35 pm on Thursday and we had her for an hour and a half to ourselves. Then our parents came at about midnight.
Charlotte adds,
Shewas wide awake — quiet, looking around. They cleaned her up and weighedher — 6 lbs 12 oz, same as me when I was born — and me and Gav were sittingthere on the kitchen floor.
Afterwards [someone] made me six pieces of toast and a cup of tea and wehad my mum and dad and Gav’s mum and dad there. It was perfect.
How Charlotte and Gavin chose the name:
We had names before she was born — Renée, Jasmine, Ella — but shejust didn’t look like any of them. We were saying she had lush redlips, ruby-red lips and then said: ‘Let’s call her Ruby.’
Megan is hermiddle name after Gavin’s grandmother. She’s passed away now, buteveryone spoke about her with such love.
Their midwives:
The midwives, Julia Sanders and Mary Coakley, were amazing — they puteverything in the wash, put me in the shower and put my pajamas on me,then me and Gav got into bed and they brought the baby to us in bed, andsaid now we can phone everyone.
On parenthood:
I’m feeling really great actually — a little bit tired comesix in the evening, but in general it’s all going really well. You hearall these things, like it turns your life upside down and it doesn’tbring you closer together, it drives you apart.
Gavin interjects, ‘But really, it’s the complete opposite.‘
I’m really shocked by how I feel. It’s just instant massive amountsof love towards her. And it’s like she’s always been here.
I felt a bit weepy the other day because I looked at her, and shelooked so lush and I thought about the birth and it was so perfect, soit was just with happiness, which sounds a bit sickening!
I said to Gav:’I feel a bit weepy’ and he said ‘Why don’t you have a good cry?’ AndI said ‘I can’t — I’d never stop!’ So I didn’t bother.
Who Ruby looks like:
When I first saw her I thought she looked exactly like me, but now that Ilook at her, she’s got Gavin’s bum [cleft] chin and his feet. When she opens hereyes in the morning, I can see Gavin there too.
Gavin adds,
If she does look like me, I can’t see it. I hope she looks more like Charlotte.
On breastfeeding:
Yes, [I'm nursing]. I can’t imagine not breastfeeding. I’m not going to preach aboutit, but it’s better for the baby and the mother, and it’s such a bondingthing as well.
I also love the fact that she’s so dependent on me. Ithink if you can [nurse] and you don’t, it’s ridiculous.
On co-sleeping:
She was in a Moses basket in our room, but the last two nights she’s been in our bed. The baby’s in front of me and Gavin’s cuddled up behind me, becausethat’s the only way I can sleep. Sometimes I’m so wired, but if hecuddles up to me and I’m nice and warm, then I can sleep.
Gavin was worried about me rolling over and smothering her, but Ithink it’s instinctual that I wouldn’t. He actually said, ‘If yousmother her I’ll kill you!’ At the start, Gavin was like, ‘Watch what you’re doingwith her. Stop throwing her around!’ I was like, ‘It’s fine, I know whatI’m doing.’
We’re both quite relaxed though. I thinkit’s really important not to be neurotic. It’s easy to fall into thatand it’s a constant effort to not be like that, but I think it’s betterfor everyone.
Also sometimesafter I feed her and [rock] her, she’s quite awake and looking at me, so Ijust can’t not look at her, because she looks so lush — I have to stayawake and look back at her.
Gavin says,
I wouldn’t want to sleep anywhereelse. We’ve been going to bed about 8 pm because we know we’ll be up foran hour or two in the night!
Charlotte exclaims,
An hour or two?! Try five!
Diaper duty:
Gavin’s good, though — he’s changed a couple of hideous middle-of-the-night [diapers] already! I’m like all sing-song: ‘Oh, she’s done a little poo!’ It’s so sad and embarrassing, but I can’t stop myself!
Gavin adds,
I’ve got a weak stomach, but because it’s your own baby it’sdifferent. I don’t find it as amusing as Charlotte finds it though!
On the qualities they hope Ruby receives from each other:
Gavin says,
I really hope she gets Charlotte’s smile and intelligence. I hope she’s as easy going as you are. The way you can talk about your feelings and the way you’re open. I hope she’s not a closed book.
Charlotte adds,
I hope she has Gavin’s calmness, his sense of humor — which is abit off the wall but I love it — and everything physically about himbecause he’s lush.
On getting a nanny:
No! Definitely not. I can hardly bear to part with her when I hand herto one of her grandmothers! No way. No matter how hard it gets.
Taking time off from work:
I haven’t got a clue [how long a maternity leave I'll take]. At the moment, I just want to stay in my littleworld. I feel like I would never want to be away from her or missanything. So she will just have to come everywhere with me.
I lovesinging and I love doing ‘The Charlotte Church Show,’ so I don’t know howthat’s all going to work out.
On losing the baby weight:
I’m just taking everything as it comes. Gavin’s got astate-of-the-art gym here, so maybe I can use that — maybe I won’t,because I’m really just not that bothered.
I think it’s sad when peopleget obsessed with all of that. I’m pretty happy with the way I am — and Ibagged Gavin, so I can’t be doing that badly, can I?!
On the relationship Charlotte wants to have with her daughter:
[As a young mom] obviously you want aclose relationship, but I think you have to have some boundaries whereyou’re the disciplinarian and you’re teaching them morals. I think it’simpossible to be friends with your mother until you’ve grown up a bit –at least until you’re my age, I’d say.
It’s a nice thought and Isuppose it’s what every mother strives to have, but I think that shouldhopefully come a lot later.
On Ruby’s future:
I wouldn’t like it [if Ruby went into showbusiness]. I made a lot of money and I’m set for life anddon’t regret anything, but it’s hard — it makes life more complicated.I think you have to be such a strong person to get through it.
When youlook at the percentage of people who are messed up who are famous, it’shuge. I’d say at least 80%. Then there’s like only 20%of us who are still fairly normal, leading fairly normal lives.
Gavin interjects,
I really like Charlotte’s voice — I can’t sing a note — so hopefullyRuby will inherit that and be able to play the piano and sing, but notreally the showbusiness side — not after seeing what it’s like first-hand.
More kids?:
Gavin says,
[My grandmother Megan] had nine children, so I had loads of cousins growing up and it wasreally nice, so I want me and Charlotte to try and beat her!
Charlotte jokes,
Definitely! [A rugby team of 15] might be a few too many — let’s say ten. I think I’ll enjoy Ruby first and see how I feel, because it’s amassive strain on your body. I don’t want to leave it too long though.
Gavin adds,
There’s 18 months between me and my sister and that’s quite nice, so maybe we’ll wait another nine months and then go again.
Source: OK!
Thanks to CBB reader Chloe for the transcript and scans!
Tags: Breastfeeding, Charlotte Church, co-sleeping, Gavin Henson, nanny, nursing, Ruby Henson
- Posted on Oct 5, 07 at 10:00AM
- Permalink
- 56 Comments
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:25 am
they are such a down to earth couple I love them! can’t wait to see pics of baby ruby, can’t expect that was too nice being in labour in the car park!!
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm
This is a bit off topic but in the bottom right hand corner Kerry Katona says ‘I hope my miracle baby’s a boy’. Im not sure how you guys feel but I disapprove when expectant parents say this I feel so bad for the child because if it is another girl will she silently resent it?!? just a thought.
x
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Oh my God! Poor Charlotte! Can you imagine having people standing around watching you have contractions while you’re stuck in the car?!
What a beautiful family.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Oh my God! Poor Charlotte! Can you imagine having people standing around watching you have contractions while you’re stuck in the car?!
What a beautiful family.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Awwwww! She is SO beautiful! Congrats to them!
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
That must have been so horrible to experience early labor in a situation like that. But, when they are able to distance themselves from it, I hope they can laugh about it. That seems like a moment out of a Steve Martin movie.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:41 pm
If he accidentally locked the car, were the child locks already on? I guess I just cant picture the fuss. (shrugs)
October 2nd, 2007 at 5:21 pm
When Gavin locked the car, she would probably have been able to get out, but when locked the car alarm would have gone off at the slightest movement inside – so it’s that which made the situation worse, not the fact she couldn’t get out.
Ruby’s a beautiful baby, she definitely seems to favour Charlotte’s looks rather than Gavin’s. Congrats you two!
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Oh my that would’ve been crazy if Chrlotte had given birth to the baby in the parkinglot of the UK’s equivalent to Loews or Home Depot! Especially with the car alarm going off! lol!
I’m glad that the home birth went well for Charlotte & her baby girl. And speaking of her baby girl, aaww she is sooo cute!
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Awwww, bub is gorgeous. Dad’s looking pretty fine too, hehe.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:41 am
Congratulations!
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:42 am
I love the name Ruby. I hope all goes well for them in the future. Congratulations.
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:17 pm
WOW!! Ruby is absolutely stunning just like her mother
Ruby Megan is such a beautiful feminine name I love the two names together. I love the other names they were also thinking of – especialy Jasmine
and also sort of of topic but Charlotte and Gavin look so like my sister and her boyfriend its weird
October 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Interesting delivery story there! But I must say, little Ruby is precious! Congrats to her and Gavin!
October 4th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Gorgeous isn’t she?! I have sent you scans of the pictures and typed up the article, so I hope you received the email ok.
Sarah’s note: I did, haven’t had time to go through and tag all the photos yet. Maybe tonight! Thanks again for sending everything.
October 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Viv, so you’re saying that she didn’t want to get out so she wouldn’t set the car alarm off? Just get out, turn alarm off and go whatever. (shrugs)
October 5th, 2007 at 1:04 am
What a beautiful family! Ruby is the most beautiful newborn I’ve ever seen. And I had to laugh- ‘I’m pretty happy with the way I am — and I bagged Gavin, so I can’t be doing that badly can I?!’
October 5th, 2007 at 1:12 am
What is this, Keisha Castle-Hughes part 2?! I am LOVING these young celeb mamas whose parenting philosophies and practices (nursing, co-sleeping, close-to-natural births) match mine as a first time mom at 39! So refreshing to see, and hopefully inspiring to other moms.
They had me cracking up too, between the car contractions, ‘don’t look down there!’ and the ‘I bagged Gavin’ comments!
All the best to them – Ruby is a beauty and I love that her names have meaning to the family. Gavin also seems like he’ll be a great dad from this interview — hadn’t heard much about him before.
October 5th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Wow they just seem completely down to earth and in love with their daughter–I LOVE her attitude on the baby weight…I find it so funny how so many are in the gym the next day and she just seems to want to enjoy this time with her daughter and let nature take it’s course with the weight-there’s no need to obsess–you just brought a life into this world ya know–take a rest…LOL So I love what she said about that…
I was really impressed with this interview…kudos to them for the way they handled things and how they seem to be handling parenthood…sounds like Miss Ruby has a wonderful start in life =)) Oh and she’s absolutely gorgeous…just a little peanut and completely beautiful…congrats to the family!
October 5th, 2007 at 1:33 am
Gorgeous baby! Congratulations Charlotte and Gavin!
October 5th, 2007 at 1:48 am
Charlotte could teach older celeb mums a thing or two about parenting. What a wonderful couple and phenomenal parents already. She is doing everything to put her baby first – breastfeeding, not worrying about her weight, being with her baby instead of a nanny.
Wonderful family!
October 5th, 2007 at 1:52 am
What a beautiful family! They look so genuinely happy, and sound like they’ve really got it together. Seeing the pictures and reading this made me smile and go Awwwww!
October 5th, 2007 at 4:10 am
How do you get locked in the front seat of your car? I don’t think there are child locks on the front doors. She would just have to unlock them.
Sarah’s note: I believe she’s saying he locked the car door while he went inside, and either her opening the door or him accidentally pressing the panic button set off the alarm and people were looking before he was able to shut it off via the keychain. I know I’ve been guilty of doing both, so if their car/keychain is anything like mine, I can see how it would happen. I don’t think she’s saying she was stuck in the car or anything.
October 5th, 2007 at 4:18 am
I definitely don’t share her apparent need for all things natural….. giving birth in a tepid pool of one’s own bodily fluids/filth (YUCK). And she was in fact coming across as a little preachy about the breastfeeding. I really wish women would keep their “opinions” to themselves and not say things like, “If you can nurse and you don’t, it’s ridiculous”. If she hadn’t made that remark, she would have seemed down-to-earth. And yes, I breastfed both of my children.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:59 am
My goodness. Seems like yesterday when she was a child.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:46 am
I am so happy to see the both of them so down to earth about having their family and how they hope to raise their daughter. It’s so hard to find parents, especially of the celebrity variety that understand boundaries between friendship and parenting. This little girl will be absolutely gorgeous I’m sure and it sounds as though she will have quite the fantastic set of parents.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:55 am
I have always thought Charlotte was a beautiful woman, but she is absolutely GLOWING right now! She and Gavin look completely enamored with Ruby!
I think this is one baby that will always know she’s loved!
Congratulations to them!
October 5th, 2007 at 7:59 am
What an impressive young couple!! Charlotte’s ideas about birth and childrearing closely match my own, although I didn’t have a water birth. Ruby is gorgeous, just like her mama and papa. Congrats to them!
October 5th, 2007 at 8:43 am
I know that, with my car, if you close all the doors and set the alarm, and then someone inside opens a door (to get out), the alarm will go off. It can only be turned off with the key fob.
Maybe she was going to get out to walk around (if she was having contractions, I can imagine she wanted to get out and move around) and didn’t have a key fob to turn off the alarm.
You know, I can just picture my husband wanting to make a quick stop at Lowes on the way to the hospital. Thank goodness I went into labor in the middle of the night when Lowes was closed, or I might very well have delivered my son in a pile of mulch in the garden center.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:09 am
what a cute baby1 i was very impressed at how mature they seem as parents, and it’s too bad that more celeb parents dont seem to feel the same way.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Thanks so much for posting the article! I’ve been a Charlotte Church fan for years, so I love the scans. Ruby is adorable, and Charlotte is beautiful!
October 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I went and got the magazine, it’s a wonderful article. They radiate happiness and are so mature. She seems like a very holistic mom – breastfeeding, co-sleeping, they are so relaxed.
Wonderful wonderful!
October 5th, 2007 at 10:01 am
WOW! How down to earth they are. I love the way they communicate so well with each each. Sounds like a beautiful birth and babymoon! I have used midwives with my births and I would whole-heartedly recommend that route to anyone! Midwives are the absolute best!!
October 5th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Pam, I totally agree with you. Can’t tell you how nice it is to see young mamas with their heads on straight and their child’s best interests at heart. Really refreshing!
I am in the UK and have followed Charlotte since ‘Voice of an Angel.’ I was a little nervous with all the partying she was doing as a teen, but obviously she has come around and I have to say I’m quite impressed. She could teach moms twice her age a thing or two!
October 5th, 2007 at 11:01 am
What a beautiful family!
October 5th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Very very wonderful thoughts from CC & G. Congrats 2 them!
October 5th, 2007 at 11:12 am
what GOOD parents they are! SO nice to see young people with good parenting skills and not *cough cough* driving around with their babies on their laps, among other things! They’re just perfect! Makes me all warm & fuzzy
October 5th, 2007 at 11:24 am
They’re the cutest little family.
October 5th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Perfect! She echoed everything I believe about parenting and I’m 10 years her senior. What a great mom- I’m so excited for little Ruby to grow up with such great parents!
October 5th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I’m sure charlotte will be thrilled knowing that a bunch of strangers think she is a perfect mom because they co-sleep and she breastfeeds.
October 5th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I love how completely open they are about the experience; it’s so comforting to see people/celebrities who are totally uninhibited and honest about such an intimate experience. Thanks for the post!
October 5th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
What a neat interview. Charlotte sounds so mature for a 21-year-old and she sounds like she’ll be a really good mom.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Aww Ruby’s beautful, and they make a lovely family. They sound like they’re going to be great parents.
October 5th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Hi, i am so glad everyone is doing so well, what a lovely name for a baby girl too. I am 22, married and have 3 children. They are 3 years and under (i gave birth 3 times in 3 years) and yes it is a real strain on the body, but I managed. But it also caused me to have post natal depression. I wanted a home birth and water birth, but never got either, but I still had natural births. They make a good family and we look forward to hearing the news of another baby in a year or so. Good luck
October 5th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I really admire how honest and open Charlotte Church and Gavin are about what being young parents and what pregnancy and labour is like. They seem to have a real grasp on what is important in life and not phased by the glitz of stardom. They’re really lucky to have each other.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
awwwwwwwww I bought this magazine and honestly, they are SUCH a beautiful family! Charlotte looks amazing, and Gavin’s new hair is good. Not to mention the fact that Ruby Megan (lovely name) is SUCH a cutie! A real heartbreaker I’m sure. What an adorable family!
October 5th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
That is the sweetest little interview I think I’ve ever read! What a lovely couple and Charlotte is just so very beautiful! Her and Gavin sound like wonderful, down to earth parents and I think Ruby is as lucky to have them as they are lucky to have her! It will be so nice to see this little family develop! Congrats Charlotte and Gavin!
October 5th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Such a great article! I am so excited to read about her homebirth, and how enthusiastic she is about co-sleeping and breastfeeding! They seem like a lovely young couple.
October 6th, 2007 at 2:37 am
I am *really* happy for this couple. They are the picture of contentment. This seems to be what Char needed to calm down and parenthood seems to agree with both of them. I wish them the very best.
October 6th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Awwwwwwwwwwww She’s Beautiful! Congratulations Charlotte And Gavin.
Welcome Baby Ruby Megan!
October 6th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I was laughing the whole time I read this article. Charlotte and Garvin seem like they are going to be wonderful parents. Yay for her for having a home birth, breastfeeding and saying no to a nanny!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Well done to Charlotte and Gavin for having such a beautiful baby and for adopting such fine attitudes to the whole childbirth process. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you’re both wonderful role models, so keep up the good work (and keep up the co-sleeping and breastfeeding too, you’re giving Ruby the best start in life!).
Da iawn a pob lwc,
Sara
October 10th, 2007 at 12:41 am
Yay! A real celebrity who has a clue! Go Charlotte & Gavin! Sounds like a beautiful, bonding experience for you all as a family and the family bed rocks.
October 11th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I would just like to wish them the best, there a lovely couple and so down to earth,what we lack in with famous people these days, good luck with everthing both of you.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
who is the celebrity?
June 27th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Hi, I met Chrlotte and the gordeous Ruby in Tesco Culverhouse Cross Cardiff last Monday.What a lovely girl she is, just chatted away with me, mostly about the baby and new one and the green grass of Bridgend. Charlotte you are an inspiration to young girls in Wales. So unassuming considering your fame.You have time for everyone.