RUTH: I AM PREGNANT
Scots Tory leader reveals she and partner Jen are expecting first child after IVF treatment
RUTH Davidson yesterday announced she is pregnant with her first child. The leader of the Scottish Tories and fiancee Jen Wilson said they were “overjoyed”. Ruth, 39, found out last month that IVF treatment had been successful. Politicians including PM Theresa May and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon congratulated the couple.
SCOTS Tory leader Ruth Davidson says she’s “excited and daunted” about becoming a mum.
She shared news of her pregnancy on Twitter – posting a picture of herself with partner Jen and their pet dog Wilson.
Ruth said: “Our little family of three is becoming four…”
In a statement, she added that she remains committed to leading the Tories into the 2021 Holyrood elections, saying she is “simply doing what thousands of working women do every year”.
PM Theresa May said it was “wonderful news”.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Many congratulations to @RuthDavidsonMSP and her partner Jen on their lovely news. The baby box is on its way.”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell added: “I know everyone across Scotland will want to congratulate Ruth and Jen. I know they are going to make terrific parents.”
Ruth, 39, who had previously spoken of her desire to be a mum, had IVF treatment and the baby is due in autumn.
Her deputy Jackson Carlaw will step in as leader while she is on maternity leave, which she will share with marketing manager Jen.
Ruth said: “Like all new parents-to-be, we are excited – and daunted – about the months to come. Mostly, we are just overjoyed at the prospect of starting a family together.
“We weren’t sure it was going to happen for us but we’re really, really happy that it has.
“While this news may be unexpected for many people, let me reassure my constituents and voters across Scotland that there is no change to my political commitment or plans to lead the Scottish Conservatives into the 2021 Holyrood elections.
“I’m simply doing what thousands of working women do every year – having a child, taking some time off and then returning to work soon after.”
The politician said she had been affected by tiredness and sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy but vowed it would be “business as usual” until her maternity leave.
The Edinburgh Central MSP said: “We have a very busy few months ahead and I look forward to
throwing myself into events with customary gusto.
“I’ve had a bit of the fatigue and the nausea and dizzy spells and all the rest of it. I think from now on it’s supposed to get a little bit better.”
Ruth – who was elected leader in November 2011 – began seeing Jen during the 2014 independence referendum campaign.
She popped the question in 2016 during a weekend away and shared the engagement news on Twitter.
But the couple, who live in Edinburgh, were forced to postpone their October wedding last year when their dog was hit by a car, resulting in a five-figure vet bill.
They hope to get their wedding plans back on track after the new arrival.
Ruth joked: “I think I might like to try to lose some baby weight first if that’s all right.”
The couple plan to continue working, with the MSP keen to fully return to Holyrood in spring.
Ruth said: “I think it will change the way in which I do my job. But I don’t think it should look as if I’ve changed the way I do my job. Time management is going to have to be a little bit different.”
The couple want to keep their baby scan photo private. Ruth added: “But everything is great – little snub nose, it’s nice.”
With the due date only a few weeks away from the Tory conference in October, she may have to pack a hospital bag “just in case”.
Asked whether she sees herself as a role model for other same sex couples, Ruth said: “I think it’s important that people realise that this happens and that it’s normal. Hopefully this takes some of the taboo or mystery away from it.
“But when we were thinking about this, Jen and I were very much focused on our own family.
“Both of us wanted to have children and we’re delighted that we are able to do so.”
Ruth felt “really relieved” that IVF had been a success, adding: “I actually can’t keep the smile off my face.”