Camilla Franks: Women shouldn’t fear being ‘older’ mums

In August, Australian designer Camilla Franks warmed hearts around the world when she announced her pregnancy with Welsh singer fiance JP Jones.

The 41-year-old Camilla founder shared a stunning beachside snap of herself cradling her bare baby bump alongside the announcement on Instagram. 

And on Sunday, Camilla opened up about her unexpected pregnancy and becoming a mother at 41.

In August, Australian designer Camilla Franks warmed hearts around the world when she announced her pregnancy with Welsh singer fiance JP Jones

The 41-year-old Camilla founder shared a stunning beachside snap of herself cradling her bare baby bump alongside the announcement on Instagram

The 41-year-old Camilla founder shared a stunning beachside snap of herself cradling her bare baby bump alongside the announcement on Instagram

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Camilla slammed the common belief that women can’t conceive naturally in their late thirties and early forties and the fear instilled in women about having children later in life. 

‘A couple of years ago I went through so many different tests and got told I needed to do IVF and spent thousands of dollars all from fear of what I was being told… I think we need to take the fear out of it,’ Camilla said.

She added that she was given ‘the wrong advice’ and despite being told to ‘potentially go down the path of IVF’, she conceived naturally.

'A couple of years ago I went through so many different tests and got told I needed to do IVF and spent thousands of dollars all from fear of what I was being told... I think we need to take the fear out of it,' Camilla said

‘A couple of years ago I went through so many different tests and got told I needed to do IVF and spent thousands of dollars all from fear of what I was being told… I think we need to take the fear out of it,’ Camilla said

She added that she was given 'the wrong advice' and despite being told to 'potentially go down the path of IVF', she conceived naturally 

She added that she was given ‘the wrong advice’ and despite being told to ‘potentially go down the path of IVF’, she conceived naturally 

‘This generation are working women, we don’t just leave school, get married, have children,’ Camilla said, whose grandmother gave birth to her mother at age 50. 

‘I wouldn’t be me if I had just jumped into the world of motherhood. I’m so blessed that I’ve been able to have that chapter of running a business as well. I’d encourage all women to continue enjoying their ­careers.’

In a pregnancy announcement penned to her 281,000 followers, the successful designer spoke of how she and JP had ‘reconnected’ in 2015, 18 years after meeting while travelling. 

'I wouldn't be me if I had just jumped into the world of motherhood. I'm so blessed that I've been able to have that chapter of running a business as well. I'd encourage all women to continue enjoying their ­careers,' she said 

‘I wouldn’t be me if I had just jumped into the world of motherhood. I’m so blessed that I’ve been able to have that chapter of running a business as well. I’d encourage all women to continue enjoying their ­careers,’ she said 

In a pregnancy announcement penned to her 281,000 followers, the successful designer spoke of how she and JP had 'reconnected' in 2015, 18 years after meeting while travelling

In a pregnancy announcement penned to her 281,000 followers, the successful designer spoke of how she and JP had ‘reconnected’ in 2015, 18 years after meeting while travelling

‘Always my soulmate, a lover and a friend. You’ve always been here, from start to end. Now we’re all grown up, but we’re still just starting,’ she wrote. 

‘We proudly stand here, seas apart yet never parting. Inside my belly now lays the love we’ve shared and been through,

‘Inside your Milla two hearts are now beating for you. It seems like yesterday, we were two kids drinking in that London pub. But today, we’re drinking tea here waiting for little bub.’

The pair became engaged in Wales on New Year’s Eve, and will split their time between Sydney and Wales when they welcome their child.

The pair became engaged in Wales on New Year's Eve, and will split their time between Sydney and Wales when they welcome their child

The pair became engaged in Wales on New Year’s Eve, and will split their time between Sydney and Wales when they welcome their child

Camilla shared a touching poem to her man (pictured) as she announced their happy news

Camilla shared a touching poem to her man (pictured) as she announced their happy news

In an official statement, Camilla revealed that the pair put off their planned November wedding in India after the ‘unexpected and beautiful blessing’. 

‘This next chapter of our story will be quite a ride,’ it read.

‘After a beautiful few weeks holidaying in Europe, I arrived home yesterday to share the news with friends, family and of course my tribe.

‘We had plans to marry in India this November, but life is full of surprises! We aren’t in a rush to get married and for now, want to focus on enjoying the precious moments of being a little tribe.’  

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