Dawn O'Porter on having babies with actor husband Chris O'Dowd: 'I woke up one day feeling... fill my womb'
DAWN O'PORTER ON DECIDING TO HAVE CHILDREN AND WRITING ABOUT MOTHERHOOD
Dawn - documentary maker turned novelist - talked about having a baby while writing a book, The Cows, about women and all aspects of motherhood.
Now mum to son Art, two, Dawn spoke about her relationship with Irish actor Chris O'Dowd and revealed: 'Even at the start... I wasn't sure I wanted children. But I woke up one day feeling... fill my womb!'
'We planned the first baby. I think [Chris] would have been disappointed if it hadn't have happened,' she added. 'He's a natural dad, he's from good Irish stock - I knew he'd be brilliant. He's blown me away with how hands-on he is.'
Dawn is expecting their second child in July and revealed she is planning to deliver the baby from the comfort of her own home.
'I'm planning a home birth, hopefully,' she said. 'The first time I didn't really need to be in the hospital - that's how I felt. I just took two painkillers. I wanted it to be as natural as possible.'
Dawn's own mum died when she was just seven-years-old and she revealed how her childhood - brought up by her grandparents and then aunt and uncle while maintaining a close relationship with her dad - has inspired the way she parents little Art.
'It's difficult to see what I missed because the life I've formed out of it is very happy,' Dawn explained. 'My mum died over 30 years ago, so it's very difficult for me to feel sad. But I put myself in her shoes and think, "How would she feel?"
'I think I'll want Art to experience the independence that I had, but also have me to fall back on if he needs me,' Dawn said. 'I've only got a two year old, but I know I'm not going to be overly protective but let them know they can fall back on me.'
'There are different ways to become a mother and be a parent. A child doesn't need both parents, as long as a child is loved you'll be absolutely fine.'
Watch the video to see the full interview with Dawn...