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AFLW star Moana Hope and model wife reveal ‘super exciting’ family plans

Just a few months after welcoming their first child, Moana Hope and Isabella Carlstrom have revealed more exciting family news.

Moana Hope shares video of Isabella Carlstrom’s baby bump on Instagram

Moana Hope and Isabella Carlstrom have only been parents since November but they’re already planning baby number two.

The former AFLW player and the Swedish model welcomed daughter Svea last year and plan on making her a big sister pronto.

But there will be a slight difference this time round. Hope plans on carrying their second child after Carlstrom did the heavy lifting in round one.

“We’re going to try and get pregnant towards the end of the next year, which is super exciting,” Hope told Woman’s Day.

“I was able to pull Svea out and put her onto Bell’s chest and in that moment I felt an overwhelming sense of love and protection that I’ve never felt before.”

Hope, 33, hinted they won’t stop at two either. “I want a houseful of babies!” Hope said. “But we’re aiming for three at the moment.”

Isabella Carlstrom and Moana Hope. Picture: Woman's Day
Isabella Carlstrom and Moana Hope. Picture: Woman's Day

The couple revealed Carlstrom’s labour lasted 14 hours in an interview with Stellar magazine earlier this year.

The 28-year-old’s blood pressure plummeted and doctors rushed to stabilise it. From that point she struggled with fatigue and lethargy and during her six-week check-up, doctors discovered she still had 5cm of retained placenta.

“They had to do an emergency operation,” Hope recalled. “Now with more tests, we’ve found that Bell has hardly any iron (so) we’re doing iron transfusions to hopefully get her back to feeling healthy and happy.”

Added Carlstrom: “You literally have to sacrifice your body, your mind, your spirit and then you have a baby. You can’t compare it to anything. It’s unbelievable – I have nothing but pride for myself, even in my hardest moments.”

Moana and Isabella on the day Svea was born.
Moana and Isabella on the day Svea was born.

Carlstrom admitted to struggling after returning home from hospital, before finding a rhythm as a mother.

“I came home from hospital and was completely caught off-guard – I felt insane,” Carlstrom said.

“I was timing all my feeds and all that stuff, and it was making me so anxious. But I chucked it all away and I’ve never felt better. I’m taking it one day at a time and I’ve learnt about not having any expectations and just going with the flow.”

Isabella and Svea enjoy a day out.
Isabella and Svea enjoy a day out.
Svea and Moana are as cool as it gets.
Svea and Moana are as cool as it gets.

It’s been two years since Hope’s last AFLW game with North Melbourne and she’s now running a traffic management business.

But she still has hopes of retaining a role in the game.

“In my professional life, I would like to get into commentary for footy,” she told Woman’s Day. “Potentially down the track, coaching … but right now I’ve got to take care of the family.”

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-star-moana-hope-and-model-wife-reveal-super-exciting-family-plans/news-story/1359fa8b5a1bb5e43a866b806eb0dc94