Timing of Val’s new baby solid gold
Dame Valerie Adams (above) and husband Gabriel Price are expecting their second child next April.
The double Olympic shot put champion told NZME she was thrilled with the timing, which would give her the best opportunity to recover and compete at the Tokyo Olympics before her retirement.
The couple’s first child, daughter Kimoana, turned 1 last week.
“It’s a dream come true to have a sibling for Kimoana,” Adams, 43, said. “People might think I’m nuts, but I’m expected to be menopausal by age 43, so we wanted to have another baby as soon as possible.”
As with Kimoana, the couple used fertility treatment.
“We hadn’t realised there was an issue trying to conceive, until we tried for a family. It’s more common than people think, and shouldn’t be taboo because help is out there.
“We had some embryos in a freezer and were blessed having one stick.”
Adams expected two children to make life “full on”.
“But one thing we have this time around is time. I only had six months from having Kimoana until competing at the Commonwealth Games [in April].
“After having a C-section and being a first-time mum, I didn’t know what to expect with the sleepless nights and everything, but this time we have a blueprint. We’ll have a plan in place by December next year to be in Europe and building towards Tokyo. I want to have my family watching there.”
Adams said becoming parents was the couple’s priority after the 2016 Rio Olympics. If the three-time medallist is selected for Tokyo, she will join Barbara Kendall as the only other NZ woman to feature at five Games.
“People might think I could wait [to have a family] until after Tokyo, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity and regret it, because after retirement who’s going to be there? My family.
Adams said parenthood had taught her one thing above all else.
“Patience . . . and that not everything is about me any more.
“We both rush in, but that’s the reality you live in. Sometimes people forget that when they look at pictureperfect lives on TV.
“I want to continue to inspire women who want a family and a professional sporting career.”