Gemma Atkinson admits pregnancy scares and says she will have an unborn baby in private amid the NHS crisis

Gemma Atkinson has revealed her fears of pregnancy and admitted she enlisted the help of private midwives.

The former Hollyoaks actress, 38, confirmed in an Instagram post last month that she is expecting a baby boy with Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Gemma opened up about her fears that history could repeat itself with her pregnancy as she shared her reasons for choosing a private midwife as opposed to the NHS.

“I love our NHS but I know how stretched it is and with the strikes still going on I was uncomfortable with the thought of history repeating itself with my pregnancy and not enough staff to help,” said Gemma the fans.

Although she will be hiring a private midwife, the Emmerdale star said her baby boy will be born in an NHS hospital.

Cautious: Gemma Atkinson has revealed her fears of pregnancy and admitted she enlisted the help of private midwives

Gemma continued: “By the way, I fully support their reasons to strike and they should definitely be paid a lot more for it!

“Our baby will be born in an NHS hospital but my pre and post care will be taken care of by Rach.”

The actress, who welcomed daughter Mia in 2019, added that this time her previous birth experience made her more inclined to seek extra support, as recommended by Coronation Street star Brooke Vincent, 30.

“The last time I was told Mia was going to be a big baby she was absolutely tiny so this time I felt like I needed and wanted closer monitoring,” Gemma explained.

“I’m going to have a lot more scans this time to keep a close eye on the baby’s size.

“So far the results for baby and I are spot on and as expected. Today we talked about birth options and places. Rach will be with me in labor, which is a comfort.

“Any mother-to-be will know that worry is always on the back of her mind from the moment you hear your wonderful news.”

Gemma and professional dancer Gorka got engaged in February 2021, four years after they met on Strictly Come Dancing. They welcomed their first child Mia on July 4, 2019.

Honest: Gemma, 38, shared her Instagram Stories on Wednesday about why she chose a private midwife to monitor her pregnancy rather than going through the NHS

The actress and the Strictly Come Dancing pro, 32, took to Instagram on January 21 to announce they are expecting a boy.

She shared a series of stunning black and white photographs showing off her blossoming baby bump as she confirmed her happy news.

Gemma cut a casual figure in track pants and a black vest top while lovingly cradling her growing baby bump.

Suddenly Gorka joined her, flashing a big smile, while in another picture her daughter Mia lay sweetly on her stomach.

Congratulations! The former Hollyoaks actress confirmed in an Instagram post last month that she’s expecting a baby boy with Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez

In a caption, Gemma said her daughter Mia was “thrilled” by the news and joked that her son would be called “Barbie” if it was her daughter’s fault.

She wrote: “It’s impossible to hide my stomach any longer. I’m officially “popped”. Our little boy will join our family later this year.

“We feel so incredibly blessed and grateful to be on this journey again. Mia is absolutely thrilled!

“Although we may have to do some naming negotiations as so far she’s adamant his name will be Barbie.”

Appearing on Steph’s Lunchbox earlier this week, Gemma admitted that if she ever marries Spanish dancer Gorka, with whom she has daughter Mia, she would consider signing a prenuptial agreement to preserve her personal wealth.

Exciting: The actress and the Strictly Come Dancing pro (pictured in 2019) shared their baby boy, who is expected later this year

Sweet: In a caption, Gemma said her daughter Mia, three, was “thrilled” by the news and joked that her son is called “Barbie” when it’s up to her daughter

She explained: “From 15 to 33, before I met Gorka, everything I acquired as property during that time, which is all still mine, still in my name.

“By living with Gorka, especially with Mia, we share everything half and half… It’s the same with him. He’s had his dance career since he was 16 and he has things in Spain that have nothing to do with me.

“We said everything he had before he met me and what I had before I met him, that’s ours. Everything belongs to our family now.

“But if we were to get married, we would also do the marriage contract. Just to be really sensible and protect Mia more than anyone else.’

The actress also admitted that her second pregnancy was more difficult than her first because it was her first time experiencing symptoms.

She said: “With Mia, I had no symptoms…immediately within two to three weeks, my breasts were getting sore, I was nauseous. I said to Gorka, I have to take a test…”

When asked if they’d settled on a name, she added, “I’d like a Spanish element because they’re half Spanish. But I said to Gorka we have to be careful because they will have an accent like mine.

“Growing up in Manchester, we can’t say ‘okay Pedro’ … It has to be something that sounds good in Mancunian.”

Baby on the way: Gemma and Gorka will welcome their second child, a baby boy, later this year