Interview
The 7de Laan actress and soulful singer Hildegardt Whites is a radiant mom-to-be. She spoke to us about her most important role yet
Hildegardt Whites from local TV show 7de Laan talks to us
DID YOU PLAN YOUR PREGNANCY?
“My husband Kuba Silkiewicz and I have been married since 2012 and have spoken about having a baby for a long time. In 2014 I thought I might be pregnant, but wasn’t. At that stage I was so focussed on becoming a mom, I was convinced I was pregnant almost every month. After still not having conceived by 2015, we decided to relax about having a child. “As a workaholic, I shifted my focus to my career and I launched an exciting project, my television show, Hilde se Hartsklanke for Via (DStv Channel 147). Kuba toured the country with me while we recorded 13 music videos. So, when I found out I really was pregnant in September 2016 I couldn’t believe it!”
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOU WERE PREGNANT?
“During the last week of shooting, my waist started expanding. I love my curvy figure, so I didn’t pay too much attention. But I was also on an emotional rollercoaster and when I started feeling nauseous and realised I’d missed my period, I became suspicious. “On our first Sunday home I slept for four hours straight, which is unusual for someone who usually finds there are too few hours in the day. My breasts were very tender and all I wanted to eat were jellybeans and sorbet! The next day I bought a handful of pregnancy tests and that evening at 11pm I showed Kuba the two lines on the stick. He asked me what it meant! We did two more tests, just to be sure and sat up together until 2am, taking in the wonderful news.”
DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE HAVING A BOY OR GIRL?
“Yes, we do, but for now it’s our special secret, something to treasure between Kuba and me.”
HOW HAS KUBA SUPPORTED YOU?
“My husband has always been ‘my person’, the one who knows my strengths and weaknesses best, and he’s been wonderful during my pregnancy. He’s a hardworking musician who was usually late to rise after a night’s work. These days he wakes up before I do to bring me tea in bed and phones me at work to make sure he prepares something I’m craving for supper.”
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CHANGING BODY?
“I’ve been ready for a baby for such a long time and everything about my body feels right for this experience. People couldn’t believe I already had a small bump by three months. To my surprise my breasts have already started producing milk. The only part of my changing body I haven’t enjoyed is the fact that my feet have grown an entire size. I can’t wear any of my beloved high heels. I went to the shops the other day just to buy a pretty little shoe to make me feel better!”
ANY UNCOMFORTABLE PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS?
“I was very nauseous during the first trimester, although things settled by the second trimester and I was more energised. At 28 weeks, I’m exhausted again and often get headaches. I was born in the Northern Cape and can usually handle heat, but now I’m constantly too hot!”
ARE YOU SINGING TO YOUR BABY?
“Our home is always filled with the sounds of instruments, or someone singing and I’m sure music is already in this little one’s blood. My baby loves it when I sing, because the movements I feel become more fluid. I’m already writing a song for my darling.”
DO YOU HAVE A BIRTH PLAN?
“I’m an in-the-moment kind of person and would love to have a natural birth at hospital, because I believe it’s good for your baby and your body. But, if baby has other plans, so be it.”
WILL YOU RETURN TO WORK?
“I want to take three months off to get to know my baby, allow myself time to become comfortable with breastfeeding and for us to settle into a rhythm as a family. Although we don’t have it all planned out yet, we’ll probably employ a nanny when I return to the 7de Laan set in August. Before finding out I was pregnant I had planned to tour the country with my music. I don’t know if this will still be possible. What I do know, is that this baby will probably grow up in theatres! “Obviously, this is all new to me and only time will tell how my future as mother unfolds.”