Click below for the photo and interview highlights.
On her fertility issues:
Diagnosed withendometriosis, Saira and husbandSteve Hydetried to get pregnant for months, only to be disappointed time and time again. Saira found the situation difficult to deal with.
I withdrew from friends and family. I didn’t want to be aroundbabies.
Today is one of the happiest days of my life. I don’t really know what to say! This is a moment I willnever forget.
On incorporating her Muslim culture:
Traditionally, [the belly is] never shown, andbaring arms or shoulders in pregnancy is frowned upon. When I go tovisit Mum I have to cover up. Every time she sees me she throws apashmina at me, which makes me laugh.
Actually she’s had to go througha lot in her own community to allow me to be a modern Muslim woman.She’s never put any restrictions on me and is very supportive ofwhatever I do. She is very open-minded compared with the Asian women ofher generation.
On marrying outside her culture:
Saira, who was expected to wed a man through arranged marriage, kept her relationship with Steve a secret for many years. When she finally introduced him to her family after they’d decided to become engaged, Hanifa disowned her daughter.
Thankfully, family wounds have been mended, and Steve"is now her favorite son-in-law."
On family help and advice:
Mum’s coming tostay with us for a couple of months. It’s customary inour culture for a new mum to stay in bed for 40 days — can you imagineme doing that? Being a working mum means I’ll soon be up and about.Mum says to drink fennel water, as it is good for thedigestion and detoxing. She will also make me some special spice ballswith nuts and ground spices to give the body extra nutrients. I am notto exercise for six weeks, but I have a personal trainer lined up afterthat, as I’ll be filming the fourth series of ‘Beat The Boss’ and willneed to be back in shape!
Mum’s coming tostay with us for a couple of months. It’s customary inour culture for a new mum to stay in bed for 40 days — can you imagineme doing that? Being a working mum means I’ll soon be up and about.
Mum says to drink fennel water, as it is good for thedigestion and detoxing. She will also make me some special spice ballswith nuts and ground spices to give the body extra nutrients. I am notto exercise for six weeks, but I have a personal trainer lined up afterthat, as I’ll be filming the fourth series of ‘Beat The Boss’ and willneed to be back in shape!
On her birth plan:
Saira is planning to have a water birth with no pain relief at QueenCharlotte’s hospital in London — and she’s ready at any time!
Source:Hello!Magazine, April 8th issue.
Saira wearsIsabella Oliver’s Audrey dress($275).
Thanks to CBB reader Carlie.
source: people.com
