Congratulations to Janette Manrara and her husband, Aljaz Skorjanec, on the birth of their first child.
According to reports, the Strictly professional, 39, gave birth to a baby girl on Friday.
The newborn is the first child of the dancer and her husband Aljaz, 33, who disclosed they had been trying to conceive for two years and were set to begin IVF treatment.
She announced the good news on Instagram on Saturday morning, including a stunning black and white photo of Aljaz and the new arrival.
She disclosed in the post that she and Aljaz had welcomed a baby daughter, Lyra Rose.
Janette is seen in the snap cuddling up with baby Lyra in a hospital bed, as delighted father Aljaz maintains a protective arm around them both.
Friends and followers of the celebrity couple have raced to express their congratulations, with Amy Dowden noting that the baby is “absolute perfection.”
Jake Wood wrote: ‘Welcome to the world Lyra! You have chosen amazing parents.’
TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins offered ‘big congratulations to you both, sending loads of love,’ while Ashley Roberts said the photo was ‘so beautiful’.
Oti Mabuse declared it was ‘the best news ever,’ with Gorka Marquez writing: ‘So gorgeous,’ and James Jordan adding: ‘So happy for you both. Sending love from the Jordans.’
On announcing their pregnancy, Janette said: ‘For the past couple of years we hadn’t been using protection but nothing was happening, so we thought IVF was the next best thing for us to do.’
She added to Hello! Magazine: ‘I know that IVF can be really strenuous on a woman’s body and there is no guarantee it will work, so to know that this little miracle just came from a wonderful night we had together is amazing.
‘I think the baby decided to make mum and dad panic a bit before saying, “ok, fine, I’m coming up now.”’
Aljaz said he was ‘beside [himself]’ during their 12-week scan as they had ‘mentally and physically’ prepared to go down the IVF route.
‘I have so much respect for any parent that goes through IVF, not just for what it puts them through physically but mentally too,’ he said.
Throughout her pregnancy, Janette has published a series of beautiful ‘bump-dates,’ giving followers an insight into her road to motherhood.
She expressed her appreciation to be carrying her bundle of joy on social media in one such post.
‘Just a quick appreciation post. We feel so much love from you all.
‘Thank you for all the kind messages and support. We are growing happy and healthy together. I don’t take for granted how fortunate I am, and count my blessings everyday for this little miracle 🤍’
Aljaz has also provided heartfelt updates, claiming that he “cries every day” as he shares the incredible adventure of pregnancy with his wife.
As Janette’s due date approached, viewers were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the baby as Aljaz couldn’t stop himself from documenting an ultrasound session.
Janette also revealed to followers how she would be welcome her first child ahead of her delivery, stating it was the safest way to bring her kid into the world.
She claims that because the couple seems to have a ‘bigger than common size baby,’ she has been advised to have a C-section.
‘It looks like we have a bigger than average size baby, but I’m not an average size human and because of the width of my hips it’s advised that I get a C-section,’ she told Hello! magazine.
Source My Celebrity Life.