Pregnancy is meant to be one of the most special times in a woman’s life, but it was far from enjoyable for Jennifer Metcalfe.
In fact, the Hollyoaks star’s pregnancy was so difficult she has likened it to a nine-month hangover – only without the appeal of a night on the town beforehand.
Jen, 35, had her first child Daye in June this year and is thrilled her pregnancy is all over after suffering every symptom there is, from constipation to nausea.
And while many women confess to struggling with their changed appearance after childbirth, the actress, who is in a relationship with former Geordie Shore star Greg Lake, says she has never felt as body confident as she does now, posing in glamorous bikini shots just 12 weeks after giving birth.
Speaking exclusively to Femail, the Bradford brunette revealed she rarely has time to go for the gym because she has to put her son first, and keeps trim by following the 5:2 diet.
Jennifer Metcalfe, 35, recently gave birth to her first child, a son called Daye Lake with her boyfriend Greg
Jennifer suffered severe morning sickness right up until the end of her pregnancy, and likened it to suffering a ‘hangover’ for nine months.
She said: ‘I just felt pants every day. I just felt like I had a nine month hangover without the fun in-between obviously. Every day I just felt a bit sick.
‘Basically I had a bit of every pregnancy symptom you can get. I had a bit of constipation, I was beyond tired, the nausea was the worst because that started after six weeks and went right through until the end. I’m glad it’s over!’
Since giving birth Jennifer has been following the 5:2 diet, which involves eating in moderation five days a week but fasting for the remaining two days.
The Hollyoaks said she didn’t enjoy being pregnant, comparing it suffering a hangover for nine months with constant nausea
Jennifer said she also suffered constipation and constant tiredness throughout the pregnancy
She said: ‘I’ve been it for two years now I obviously had my pregnancy off but I did use the light bites whilst I was pregnant because they were probably one of the few things I could get down that was some goodness into my body.
‘I’ve been back on the programme for three weeks so I have five days of eating what I want in moderation and then I’ve been doing my two fasting days with the Ligher Life products.’
Jennifer has been promoting postnatal body confidence since having her son, even showing off her ‘squidgy’ tummy in a half naked selfie to encourage other mums to love their new bodies.
‘I think I always feel confident now, I guess I don’t care as much as I get older. I do care about my health and I don’t want to be severely overweight or underweight but I think as long as it’s functioning properly and I’m at a nice healthy weight then I don’t really care if I look absolutely perfect in a bikini,’ she explained.
The brunette posted a half naked selfie (left) after she gave birth to show she was proud of her body, and now feels more confident than ever
‘For the last few years I’ve felt very confident in my own skin and since having the baby and I suppose seeing what the woman’s body can do I’ve got a new found respect for it.
‘I just think how it adapts so it can accommodate is absolutely incredible, and what you end up with and what it looks like your body is such a small part of it. I think it’s just amazing what it can do.’
The new mum, who has starred as Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks since 2006, is trying to find the time to go to the gym, but make sure she gets enough exercise by taking her baby out on three mile walks while she runs errands.
She explained: ‘I wanted to go this week because he was 12 weeks yesterday so I thought that would be a nice time, three months, to let my body relax just not thinking about the gym or anything for a while.
She admits she has a ‘new found respect’ for the female body since going through childbirth
Jennifer is hoping to go back to the gym soon now that her son Daye is 12 weeks old
She added: ‘Because I’m feeling so naff he needs to be number one so you can’t just go home after a gym session or if you’re feeling a bit rubbish just go on the couch. The show must go on when you have a baby, so no time for that.’
The actress will return to Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks in June, but says a return to the fictional Chester village isn’t even on her mind.
‘I haven’t thought about it at all, I haven’t thought about much else other than Daye. It’s hard work being a mother so he’s just had my full attention and I haven’t had time to think of much else,’ she confessed.
Jennifer is following the LighterLife Fast 5:2 plan, in which you can lose up to 2lbs a week by having four LighterLife Fast products on your two fast days.