Baby break for Ekenasio

Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio has revealed she was pregnant when she led New Zealand to their first Constellation Cup series triumph over Australia in nine years in March.

The Central Pulse star yesterday confirmed she is pregnant with her second child and will sit out the rest of the ANZ Premiership netball season, having already missed the opening three games due to medical reasons after opening up on her recent mental health struggles.

Ekenasio’s last competitive game was in New Zealand’s fourth Constellation Cup test against Australia on March 7, captaining the Silver Ferns to a 45-43 win, which clinched the series 3-1

She had an inkling during the series she was pregnant and her hunch was confirmed shortly after.

Ekenasio and her husband, former Wellington Saints basketballer Damien Ekenasio, have a three-year-old son, Ocean. She was over the moon that he would become a big brother to another boy, due in November.

Ekenasio opened up on her mental health struggles on social media in March, telling people it was OK to ask for support. She revealed she was seeing a therapist, which had been beneficial.

Yesterday, she said those struggles started before she discovered she was pregnant again.

‘‘At the time I felt really guilty for needing to speak up and say I actually wasn’t 100 per cent and that I did need some help and some time away from being on court.

‘‘I learned for once I do need to put myself first. I’m a big believer that the team comes first no matter what. But at this time for the team to come first I actually needed to come first, so I can give what I need to the team.’’