A Complete Guide To Preparing For A Second Baby And Nurturing Family Life

If there’s one consensus among fans, it’s that Jorgie Porter is an absolute darling. She won our affection as Theresa McQueen in Hollyoaks, and she recently revealed she has completed her final filming, stepping away from the screen to concentrate on her most significant role yet: becoming a mother of two.

Alongside her fiancé, Ollie Piotrowski, and their young son, Forest, Jorgie is eagerly anticipating the arrival of their second child. While she appears to be handling it all with grace, she is the first to acknowledge that it hasn’t been entirely straightforward. Following the loss of her quadruplets in 2021, Jorgie welcomed Forest in 2022, and now she finds herself immersed in the delightful chaos of managing toddler duties, dealing with pregnancy fatigue, and squeezing in last-minute preparations. We caught up with her to discuss the genuine highs and lows of motherhood, the pangs of mum guilt, and the lessons she’s learning while balancing everything.

How does this pregnancy compare to when you had Forest?

“To be honest, this pregnancy has been so much harder! My belly expanded quickly, almost instantly. I feel enormous, much faster than the last time.” Jorgie chuckles, “With Forest, I was all set months ahead of time. This go-around, I haven’t even gotten baby grows yet! It seems I’ve been so preoccupied with Forest and the challenges of toddler life that readying for the new baby has ended up being a last-minute affair! But it’s wonderful having Forest around—his energy is infectious, and I truly love it, although I feel guilty if I take a quick nap while he’s busy running around and chatting.”

“Honestly, I do struggle with some mum guilt,” she confesses. “It sounds silly, but I feel like this little one isn’t receiving the same level of attention that Forest did when I was expecting him. Nonetheless, I keep reminding myself that I’m doing my best.”

Dealing with baby loss and maintaining a positive mindset

Reflecting on her emotional path, Jorgie reveals, “When I was carrying Forest after losing the quadruplets, I felt like we could only celebrate his arrival once he was safely in our arms. I still feel that way now. I have all these worries, like ‘You never know what can happen,’ so I remain very cautious. Yet, I’m also working on enjoying this experience more than last time. I even did a bump photo shoot this time, which I didn’t do with Forest. Plus, I’m planning a small baby shower.”

“But naturally, the anxiety lingers,” she admits candidly. “As my due date approaches, my nerves heighten. It’s tough to tell if your behavior has changed, especially when pregnant, since emotions can be all over the place. You often don’t realize how it affects your mood until someone asks, ‘Are you okay?’ and suddenly you’re aware, ‘Oh… was I acting that way?’ But I suppose that’s just part of this experience.”

Jorgie understands the value of sharing her experiences, recognizing that miscarriage can be an incredibly isolating journey. “I believe that it provides comfort to others. Many don’t realize how much pain men experience, too. Ollie was heartbroken, and expressing his feelings aided him in processing everything, which subsequently helped me.”

Breastfeeding experience thus far

“With Forest, breastfeeding felt completely natural to me, and I relished it. It was quite convenient, especially when we were out—I simply nursed him anywhere!” she laughs. “I never cared about others’ opinions, and thankfully, it went smoothly overall. Around the six-month mark, my milk supply dipped, and my mum tried to give him bottled milk I’d pumped, but she accidentally poured it down the sink—twice! That led us to switch to formula, which worked out fine and gave me back some freedom. I hope breastfeeding goes well again, but once they start teething, I’m out!”

Finding time for self-care with a toddler and a growing baby bump

“At this moment, my self-care routine is almost nonexistent!” she laughs. “Before, it revolved around belly massages, meditation, and relaxation. Now it’s more about: ‘Do we have groceries?’ or ‘What’s for dinner?’ It’s a whirlwind of appointments with my mind on autopilot! I’m lucky to have Ollie and my mum pitching in with Forest when they can. I think once the baby arrives, there might be some ease because I could catch a break while Forest is at nursery. For now, I’m just going with the flow!”

Getting Forest ready for a sibling

“This experience has been adorable and somewhat chaotic!” she expresses. “As my baby bump expands, Forest looks at me as if to say, ‘Mummy has a belly!’ He then lifts his shirt and exclaims, ‘My belly, too!’ He has even begun ‘washing’ baby dolls at nursery, and they send me pictures—it’s the sweetest!

He’s extremely inquisitive and tender with infants, but I think he’ll be in for a shock when she arrives. A memorable incident occurred during a flight when a baby started running away. I pursued the little one and returned it to its mother. When I sat down, Forest looked at me like, ‘Wait, is that our baby?’ Observing him adjust to the concept has been heartwarming.”

Insights gained from motherhood

“Oh goodness, newborns sleep so much initially. I didn’t realize how manageable that phase actually was! With a toddler, you’re constantly on the move, and being pregnant adds a different dimension. So, when your baby is dozing, embrace it! And my new mantra for motherhood is: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I’ve learned to rely on my intuition and let go of the minor worries. If he’s content, I’m content—there’s no need to overanalyze.”

Ollie as a devoted father

“Ollie is an outstanding dad; I recognized that from the beginning. He has a son from a prior relationship, and seeing him being such a wonderful father ignited my ‘mum instincts’! Whenever I struggle to keep up with Forest, Ollie is right there, engaging, cooking, and tending to whatever is needed. At times, when I’m working late, I can trust that Ollie has things under control. I feel incredibly fortunate to have him by my side in this journey.

Essential resources for mothers

“The first time around, I enjoyed Is It Normal? featuring Jessie Ware, and Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast is fantastic for hearing candid thoughts from other parents. I recall Gino D’Acampo saying, ‘I don’t want to watch Princess films; I want to cook, so my kids cook with me.’ That perfectly represents Ollie and Forest! We all need the freedom to engage in our unique ways, don’t we?”

Cravings during pregnancy and meal wishes after birth

When asked about her current cravings, Jorgie shared, “This time around, I have a serious sweet tooth! After every meal, I find myself wanting chocolate, and I’ve established a little nighttime ritual of savoring a glass of milk with cookies before bed. It’s become my favorite way to relax! With Forest, I really missed out on treats like sushi and a good glass of wine, but I know those treats will be waiting for me once the baby arrives. Although… I might be indulging in a bit too much coffee!”

We eagerly anticipate what Jorgie will share next, likely an adorable photo of her baby girl nestled against Forest. It’s evident she is embracing every bit of the beautiful chaos that comes with motherhood, and we are here for it! Sending positive vibes as she embarks on this new chapter—after all, every late-night cookie craving and toddler tantrum is simply a part of the adventure. Here’s to all the love, joy, and unforgettable experiences awaiting Jorgie and her family!