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Maria Menounos will always remember what it was like to carry her child woman for the primary time.
“It was essentially the most particular second of my life,” the 45-year-old star, who welcomed daughter Athena Alexandra on June 23 by way of surrogate alongside her husband, Keven Undergaro, recollects completely within the new situation of Us Weekly. “The physician actually grabbed her and hiked her onto me. I sat together with her on my chest, and Keven and I saved taking a look at one another like, ‘Oh, my God.’ It was simply pure pleasure.”
Provides Undergaro: “It was like Christmas morning occasions 1,000,000.”
Menounos’ 10-year journey to motherhood has been a protracted and troublesome one. Infertility points led to IVF therapies, which have been halted when the “Heal Squad” podcast host and former E! Information anchor was recognized with a mind tumor in 2017; the tumor was eliminated, and she or he was given a clear invoice of well being, however her neurosurgeon suggested her towards carrying a toddler. When their first surrogate fell by way of in 2020, Menounos had all however given up hope — then she and 55-year-old Undergaro, the founding father of AfterBuzz TV, introduced they have been anticipating in February. “Athena is our miracle child,” she says. “I’m so grateful for her.”
Congratulations! How does it really feel to be a mother?
Higher than I may’ve ever imagined. It’s euphoric. For therefore lengthy, I’ve felt one thing’s been lacking. I’d go to children’ birthday events, and I’d be just a little unhappy as a result of I wished my family. And now I really feel so grounded, like I lastly know the place I belong.
“We’re obsessed together with her,” Menounos, with husband Keven Undergaro, gushes of child Athena. Images by John Chapple/MEGA
What have the primary few weeks been like at residence with Athena?
The entire home is on joyful crack! My dad, her Abuelita, her child nurse, all of us simply, it’s simply a lot love. Folks say you received’t care about your canine anymore, but when I’m not squishing Athena, I’m squishing them.
How did you select the identify Athena?
We knew we wished a Greek identify. We had a listing, and everybody says once you see the infant, you’ll know, however that was completely unfaithful for us. We have been like, “What can we do?” Athena is the goddess of conflict and knowledge, and Keven beloved the facility of that identify, in order that was it!
You have been in Wisconsin in your daughter’s delivery. What have been the times main as much as that like?
Athena was born in Milwaukee, and we have been there for like per week earlier than, driving the surrogate to the physician’s appointments and having dinner together with her household. However as we received nearer to the [due date], we booked her a room on the resort with us so she’d be nearer to the hospital. So we received to the resort, and it occurred that night time!
Wow! That’s superb timing.
She and I have been in my room simply chatting, and I confirmed her all of Athena’s stuff and her garments and I simply began bawling about how I’ve been ready for her. I used to be like, “My husband retains saying I’m being impatient, wanting the infant to rush up and are available.” I instructed her, “It’s not that I’m impatient. I’m simply so excited to fulfill her.” So she left the room, and her contractions began at two within the morning.
Inform Us about being within the supply room.
Surreal. We have been strolling within the halls together with her, after which they gave her the epidural, and our room was subsequent door, so I went to take an influence nap. Then her husband is available in and says, “It’s time!” I arrange my iPad so I may movie the delivery from an angle that was acceptable, and my cellphone was with the surrogate’s husband as a result of she put him on image obligation.
So everyone had a job.
Everybody had a job. My dad didn’t wish to keep within the room. He wasn’t there for [my] delivery both. I’m going, “Dad, new behaviors, new patterns, new outcomes. You’ve by no means skilled this. Why don’t you wish to do that?” Then the surrogate compelled him to. [Laughs.] She goes, “You’re staying. What if I would like your assist?” Hastily, [she does] a few pushes, and I’m seeing [Athena’s] head. They have been like, “Are you able to seize her?” I saved saying, “What do I do?” [Laughs.]
Menounos confirmed Us round Athena’s “cozy and comfy” nursery. Images by John Chapple/MEGA
Had been you nervous?
I used to be so excited. However I used to be anxious I might drop her as a result of I believed she was going to be slippery.
Did you’re feeling an on the spot bond?
It felt superb, but in addition actually pure, like we had been collectively a very long time. A psychic mentioned she was going to be my mother from one other life. So I remembered that after, and I [thought] possibly that’s what that feeling was.
Inform Us concerning the starting of your fertility journey.
I’m fairly certain I did three rounds [of IVF]. I bear in mind calling my physician and telling her I wished to drive my automotive by way of a brick wall. It was actually, actually painful, I bear in mind [working at a music festival], and I forgot my needle. And so they needed to give me a horse needle from the world. It’s so tough since you’re doing it between interviews, and then you definitely’re making an attempt to do pictures on a airplane. It was only a lot again then.
“Athena has actually made our home a house,” says Undergaro. Images by John Chapple/MEGA
Did you ever really feel like giving up?
I virtually did [when my first surrogate fell through]. Then my lawyer, Andrew Vorzimer — who Kim Kardashian had related me to — put me in contact with Stephanie Levich from Household Match Consulting. Stephanie known as me and mentioned she had somebody, and the subsequent day we have been on the cellphone with our surrogate. These angels — Andy and Stephanie and my doula, Lori Bregman — got here collectively to assist us.
So Kim Kardashian helped put this in movement?
Sure. I give her a lot credit score. She helped us get began and guided me by way of the fears and the method. She was the primary to know we have been pregnant! We have been at a gala [in November], and I couldn’t resist telling her. She’s such a chill, calm individual. Anytime I had questions or wanted recommendation, her responses have been on the spot. I had actually leaned on her so much.
Menounos’ father Constantinos is thrilled to be a papou (the Greek phrase for grandpa). Images by John Chapple/MEGA
Did you could have any moments of hesitation earlier than beginning the surrogacy course of?
Really, I’ve a loopy story. Two days earlier than we implanted, Keven and I have been sitting outdoors, and I mentioned to him, “It’s do or die; [the surrogate and her husband are] flying in [to L.A. from Wisconsin]. We’re going to implant these embryos. If we don’t suppose that is proper for us, we now have to decide now.” Hastily I hear rustling, and an enormous stork flies out of this tree throughout the road. I’ve the f—ing video!
It was an indication! You additionally received near your surrogate. Inform Us about that.
It was a magical expertise. All through the being pregnant, I might ship voice recordings for her to play for Athena. We love her and her household a lot. They gave us the best present ever. We nonetheless speak on a regular basis and take into account them household.
That’s nice that you’ve such a beautiful bond.
I additionally lucked out with my surrogate as a result of the very first thing she mentioned to me was, “I wish to do no matter you’d do should you have been pregnant.” I used to be like, “Effectively, with all of the diabetes in our household, I wouldn’t eat sugar. However when you have cravings, I don’t need you to really feel like you may’t, as a result of I’d give in in that second.” I mentioned I’d eat natural, so I supplied her with Thrive Marketplace for deliveries and despatched her natural merchandise for her home and pores and skin. However I didn’t obsess together with her about something. I knew she was accountable, I knew she wished to do a terrific job, and she or he wished to maintain this child.
“I would kiss her an excessive amount of,” Menounos admits. Images by John Chapple/MEGA
You have been recognized with a pancreatic tumor in January. That should have been terrifying, understanding the infant was coming.
I used to be taking a look at my church icons on my mantel, pondering, “How will you bless me with a child, and I’m not going to fulfill her?” I used to be guttural crying, Keven was crying, and he by no means cries. It was a nightmare.
They efficiently eliminated the tumor. How are you feeling now?
Superb, thank God. The fibroid was the scale of a child. I’ve a C-section scar, principally, although I by no means had a child — I gave delivery another way! [Laughs.]
How do you handle to remain constructive, contemplating the whole lot you’ve been by way of?
I’ve had quite a lot of low moments, so I’ve had quite a lot of follow in overcoming them. It’s a must to come out of the sufferer mentality. Everybody asks, “Why me?” And my factor is, “Why not me?” That helps me get out of issues sooner. I simply beat this tumor as a result of I discovered it early, and different individuals don’t, so I’m fortunate. I attempt to deal with how I wish to really feel somewhat than the opposite stuff. It takes a minute; it’s not straightforward.
Menounos says her supply room nurse known as Athena “essentially the most vocal child.” Courtesy of Maria Menounos
You and Keven have been collectively for 25 years. How are you staying related with a child within the combine?
We did one date night time already!
Has your relationship modified?
I feel the most important shift has been me going into my female facet. In years previous, once I was flying thousands and thousands of miles a 12 months, Keven was like, “Maria, cease worrying; when we now have a child, you’re simply going to hike it to me, and I received it from there.” In order that’s what we thought the journey was going to be like, however our roles have actually shifted.
You’re actually having fun with nesting.
Yeah. I joke every single day I like maternity depart. I known as my boss and mentioned, “I would want just a little extra time.” The boss was like, no drawback. I’m the boss! [Laughs.] It’s so nice that Keven has been operating my present, so I’m in a position to take this time.
Would you like extra children?
Sure! I need 50 extra. I’ve one good embryo left. We’ll see, it must be quick. The enjoyment that Athena has dropped at this home — I need extra of that. It feels so good. There have been quite a lot of tough occasions, however I do know all of that’s behind us, and all the good things is forward.
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