Lara’s little bundle of joy

THE road to parenthood had its bumps, and the birth of her baby girl threw up some challenges.

But now, three months into motherhood, former premier Lara Giddings can relish the treasure in her arms.

“I’m so proud of this little human being,” she said. “I keep pinching myself to check she’s real and I’m here with her.

“I’ve longed for a baby all my life ... to have one is such a miracle for me.”

Though Ms Giddings is enjoying watching the tumult of state politics, she is content to be out of the fray.

“I don’t miss politics,” said Ms Giddings, who was the first woman to hold the position of premier in Tasmania.

“I’m enjoying watching politics from the outside.”

Natasha was born on January 26, Australia Day — a date that certainly wasn’t planned. In fact, the little girl came just over four weeks early, weighing 2.77kg, after Ms Giddings went into sudden pre-eclampsia.

The premature baby went into a special care unit, where she spent just under 24 hours in a humidicrib and then required nasal feeding for another two weeks.

Ms Giddings said the hardest part was trying to express milk for her daughter.

“I was struggling, but I was determined to breastfeed — I did everything I possibly could, every old wives’ tale.

“In the end it worked, but there were a few tears along the way.”

The road to pregnancy wasn’t an easy journey, and Ms Giddings has been open about the realities of trying to start a family after 40.

Now 45, she spent a year trying to fall pregnant with her own eggs before having success with a donor egg.

Because of her age, Ms Giddings said she did not plan on trying for another baby.

The generosity of the egg donation is keenly felt by Ms Giddings, who is committed to telling Natasha about her conception — and the donor’s identity — when she is about four or five.

“It’s taken three people to make her life and she is special in that way.”

She said Natasha was “very calm and chilled” with the looks and temperament of her father, Ms Giddings’ partner Ian Magill.

While re-entering politics is not on the agenda, Ms Giddings said that eventually she hoped to campaign for issues close to her heart, such as euthanasia and drug law reform.