Jen Hawkins opens up on what motherhood has taught her
Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins has opened up about what life is like now since giving birth to daughter Frankie.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jennifer Hawkins has described childbirth as “an out-of-body experience”.
“It was the most magical moment of my life,” the model mum tells the latest issue of marie claire magazine.
“When they first put her on my chest … I can’t explain it. There were moments in the year prior when I honestly thought deep down that I might not be able to have a baby. It was really difficult to even think that and I was scared to say it out loud because I didn’t want to jinx it.
“And then when she came out, I was just so overwhelmed; I was crying, it was incredible. Of course I’m not the only one to have had a baby — I know other people feel like that as well — but we just felt so much overwhelming gratitude.”
Hawkins appears on the cover of the magazine, in stores on Thursday, in her first photo shoot with five-month old daughter, Frankie.
The 36-year-old former Miss Universe has previously spoken of her struggles to fall pregnant and the fact she suffered a miscarriage two years ago before being diagnosed with endometriosis.
“Looking back, I realise that I found strength within myself, and the bond between (husband) Jake (Wall) and I got much stronger,” she said. “There was a lot of growth in the whole experience for me; you learn who you are and how to deal with things.”
Becoming a mother has taught Hawkins a new level of patience and shown her what unconditional love means.
She is also embracing the changes to her body and how she looks.
“I have so much more respect for my body, instead of worrying about it aesthetically,” she said. “You let go and I feel like I’m much calmer now. I’m really content and I don’t mind what people say because I’m happy within myself.
“I thought I’d be worried about having a stomach that wouldn’t pull in. But I just think: ‘Who cares? Look what I’ve got in my arms’. I look at Frankie and go: ‘Wow, my body grew her and feeds her’. It’s very freeing because for two years I wasn’t calm. I was in such a state of: ‘I have to get pregnant’ and was thinking about timelines.”