Jools Oliver speaks about suffering a miscarriage during lockdown

Jools Oliver has discussed suffering a miscarriage during lockdown, stating that when she discovers she is pregnant, she assumes it “won’t work”.

Ms Oliver, who is married to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, recently made an appearance on the Made by Mammas podcast, where she spoke to co-hosts Zoe Hardman and Georgia Dayton about her experiences of motherhood.

During the interview, it was mentioned that Ms Oliver had previously said she was contemplating having a sixth child to add to her brood of five, who range in age from three to 18 years old.

Ms Oliver said that while she would like to have another child, she has experienced three miscarriages since giving birth to her youngest child in 2016, the most recent of which occurred three weeks ago during lockdown.

“I do want to [have another child], but I’ve got to just mentally check that it’s a good idea to do it, and also physically, because I am 45 as I always say, yes I’m nearly 46,” she said.

“But you know Jamie’s doesn’t… he’s kind of still up for it, kind of, not really, so I think I haven’t got long, maybe another year, and then I really will just, I’ll shut that chapter off. Because I am very happy and I’m pretty full up at the moment as it is.”

Ms Oliver expressed her desire to have another baby, stating: “But just that little baby – it’s a terrible thing to keep wanting something, but you can’t help it. I assume it will stop.”

The 45-year-old told the podcast presenters that she recently went to see a doctor following her most recent miscarriage, who asked how she was faring mentally.

She explained that after experiencing several miscarriages, she adopts a certain attitude when she finds out she is pregnant.

“I’m really good at going right, I’m pregnant, but it won’t work. So I’m just going to carry on,” she said. “Whereas everyone gets really into it, I really have learnt to not, because I’m kind of not very positive about it. So I feel ok.”

Ms Oliver added that she also “feels ok” because she is “so lucky”, having had five children.

“If I was trying for number one, I don’t know how women do it and keep doing it,” she stated. “I think they’re so incredible, and I think I would keep doing it... but I just feel like actually I have got five, so shut up and you know, onto the school run.”

The mother-of-five acknowledged that she is “sure it affects you mentally” when you suffer a miscarriage, expressing her belief that “maybe down the line” she may have to address the mental impact.

“But at the moment actually I feel ok about it,” she added. “And I think it’s really important to talk about it.”

Last month, Ms Oliver spoke out about suffering five miscarriages in a tribute to her husband to mark their 20th wedding anniversary.

She shared a video from her wedding to Mr Oliver, in which the couple are dancing to Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want To Be With You”.

“We have created five wonderful children and lost our five little stars in the sky. Thank you for loving me the way you do,” Ms Oliver said.

You can contact the Miscarriage Association helpline on 01924 200799 or email the charity at info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk. The helpline is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

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Jools Oliver recalls five miscarriages in tribute marking 20th wedding