Olympian Denise Lewis said her family is enjoying a “magical time” following the birth of her fourth child.
The athlete, 46, welcomed son Troy 10 weeks ago, with husband Steve O’Connor. The couple are also parents to Lauryn, 16, Ryan, 13, and 10-year-old Kane.
Speaking to Hello! magazine, Lewis – who won a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics – said the family feels “blessed” by their new arrival.
She said: “At the age of 46, I’m a mum of four. When I look at my family I just go ‘Wow!’ It feels like starting out all over again. My energy levels are as high as ever and I’ve got even more to give. I’m certainly more patient and relaxed than when I was a younger mum.
“I didn’t think I could love so much again. He’s just adorable and I’m totally immersed in everything he does. It’s a magical time for us; we’re blissfully happy and feel blessed to have him.”
Heptathlete Lewis said she leaned on her athletic training when it emerged the pregnancy was experiencing complications.
The umbilical cord had wrapped itself around Troy’s arm, and every time Lewis had a contraction it was squeezing the cord.
She said: “I’d carried our baby for nearly nine months and didn’t want to take any chances.
“But when I asked for a C-section, I was told no, our baby was ready to be born. That’s when the focus I’d learned during my athletics career kicked in and I brought him into the world naturally – with Steve filming the final wonderful moment.”
Troy was born weighing 6lbs 9oz. Lewis said the baby’s older siblings could not wait to welcome the new addition into their home.
She said: “The kids were excitedly waiting for us by the front door. And they’d made decorations saying ‘Welcome home Troy’.
“It was so moving; they absolutely adore their little brother and helped choose his name, which means ‘strength’.”
She added: “Troy’s definitely brought a new dynamic into the family. I’m totally in love with him. Now that I know he’s our last baby, I savour every second and want time to stand still.
“He’s changed our lives completely.”
Read the full article in Hello! out now.