Ashley James shared a video of her daughter Ada giving birth via C-section after welcoming the little one in early March.
The mother-of-two took to Instagram on Monday, where she uploaded a montage of moments from the day her second child was born, including a clip of herself nude.
Ashley, 35, included intimate moments including Ada being pulled out of her hair for the first time, still covered in vernix caseosa, and when her boyfriend Tommy Andrews cut the newborn’s umbilical cord.
The former Made In Chelsea star labeled her daughter’s delivery “heavenly” but also insisted she is grateful for her son Alfie’s traumatic vaginal birth, as it has given her “empathy.”
The reality star welcomed her first child in January 2021, just a year after she and tech pro Tommy started dating.
Final moments: Ashley James, 35, took to Instagram on Monday where she shared a video of her daughter Ada giving birth via C-section, adding a clip of herself nude
Baby’s first breath: The mother-of-two encompassed intimate moments, including Ada being pulled out of her for the first time, still covered in vernix caseosa
Proud parents: The reality star welcomed her first child in January 2021, just a year after she and her tech boyfriend Tommy Andrews started dating
Ashley wrote a lengthy caption alongside the Instagram video, telling her followers: I finally have my own positive birth story…well.
‘So much has happened in the last 5 weeks that I’m not sure where to start, so I thought I’d start here. I was so excited to share this moment with you.
If I could relive one day for the rest of my life, I think it would be the day we met Ada. It wasn’t without complications (I’ll talk more about that later), but it was the most surreal and heavenly day.
I really wanted a positive birth with Alfie. I did everything ‘right’ and went in without fear. My birth took 22 months to recover physically and emotionally even longer.
I realized the magnitude of that trauma when I found out I was pregnant with Ada. I was SO happy and yet the thought or talk of birth made me cry.
I’d like to say a big thank you at this point to Emiliana from @themindfulbirthgroup, who discussed all birth options with me (we have a brilliant podcast episode about it on my podcast: Mum’s the Word). I also did her C Section prep course.
Anyway, everything was just so beautiful. We stayed in a hotel the night before, just Tommy and me. The whole morning was so unreal that by the time I was on the operating bed I had a flood of (happy) tears.
I enjoyed my C Section music playlist and I still listen to the songs every day to relive that moment.
Baby Ada: Ashley posted close-up photos of her newborn daughter
Before: Ashley took some final photos of herself heavily pregnant before Ada’s birth
Heavenly: The former Made In Chelsea star labeled her daughter’s delivery ‘heavenly’
Ready to go: Ashley opted for an elective C-section after the ‘traumatic’ vaginal birth she experienced with her first child
Family: The MIC star and her boyfriend Tommy seemed utterly in love with their daughter
Big Brother: Alfie looked enthralled as he watched his little sister on his father’s lap
Meeting Ada, knowing she was healthy. See Alf again. He meets her.
In a way, I’m thankful for my traumatic first birth — don’t get me wrong, I wish I hadn’t had one. But it has given me real empathy.
I often hear people say ‘you only hear negative birth stories/horror stories’ – but I don’t know a single person who CHOOSEs a negative story. Everyone hopes for a positive.
Yes, I agree that the comments are, wait, very useless, unnecessary and unnerving.
But as someone with a “negative” story, why do we expect women to keep quiet? Keep their stories to themselves as dirty secrets. How can anything improve if we remain silent?
But anyway, I am so grateful to the wonderful doctors and midwives. The moment I finally met my beautiful Ad. I’ll never forget the moment they put her on my chest.’
In the clips, the former reality star showed the little one bonding with her big brother Alfie, two.
The end of March, Ashley announced the name she and Tommy had chosen for the little one, iAda Isabella Blue Andrews.
Mama: Ashley smiled at the camera as little Ada rested on her chest
Heavenly Day: Ashley described the day her daughter was born in a lengthy caption
She said Hello! magazine: ‘We thought Ada was a very beautiful name and I was also inspired by Ada Lovelace, a famous mathematician and scientist.
“She was hailed as the inventor of computer programming and Tommy works in engineering, so we liked that link.
“Isabella was named after my grandmother, who is an amazing woman, and we chose Blue because Alfie’s middle name is Rivers and I love water references.”
The television star previously announced that she had given birth to the baby girl in a sweet Instagram post.
The media personality shared a heartwarming photo of herself and Tommy holding their newborn’s hand.
Alongside the post, she wrote, “Just wanted to let you know our little girl is here. We are both happy and healthy and we are all so in love.
“We’re taking a moment to enjoy this newborn bubble and connect as a family of 4. ❤️ But I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
Congratulations: In early March, the television star announced she had given birth to the baby girl in a sweet Instagram post