Tricia Penrose and Mark Simpkin expecting second child

The cast told me that actresses who wore the bump get pregnant in real life. I thought it was an old wives tale -- then a month later it happened to me. [laughs]

Married to former TV presenter Mark Simpkin, the couple are already parents to son Jake, 4 ½, and couldn't be more excited to be expecting again.

T: I was ecstatic, because we really wanted another baby. When I suspected, I phoned Mark and said I was going to buy a test. He insisted I waited until he got home so we could do it together.

M: The test proved Tricia was expecting, but I knew she was pregnant before she did. She doesn't normally drink fresh orange juice but a few days before she did the test she woke up and was desperate for some. Then she wanted fish paste on crumpets. They were both such unusual cravings that I began to suspect. I was thrilled; I love babies.

However, there was cause for concern earlier in the pregnancy -- Tricia began heavily spotting just before the couple was due to go in for the first ultrasound.

We had a bit of a scare when I lost quite a bit of blood just before my first scan. We thought I might be miscarrying, so were incredibly relieved and happy when they found a heartbeat and showed us the baby. Since then I've really enjoyed my pregnancy.

Because we've done it before, we're much more laid back and we're not worrying about every little thing. The timing's great because the new baby will be born in August and Jake starts school in September.

As for Jake, he doesn't know about mom's pregnancy just yet -- Tricia and Mark have chosen not to tell him until further along.

Nine months is such a long time for a little boy to wait that we haven't told him yet -- he thinks I've just eaten loads of pies! We plan to take him to the 20 week scan and show him then.

We know he's going to be thrilled because he's always asking for a playmate. Both Mark and I have brothers and sisters, and I wouldn't want Jake to be an only child.

And he may have more than one sibling. Although Mark says two children would be great, Tricia would like to try for three if this baby is male.

I would like a girl, so if this one is a boy, it would be tempting to try again.

Source: Hello! Magazine, Issue: 1010, p.106-108

Thanks to CBB reader Carlie.

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