TVNZ’s Breakfast presenter Ali Pugh has introduced her baby daughter Thea in this week’s Woman’s Day.
Born in Christchurch on October 23, Thea is short for Theadora Lake Barus.
Ali and partner Jo Barus chose to have a home birth for their first baby, and after a smooth but speedy labour, Thea was born in a blow-up pool in the lounge.
“I lifted her out of the water and she didn’t cry at all, “ Ali tells Woman’s Day in an exclusive interview. “She just looked at me – she was totally calm. It was an unbelievable moment.”
They chose the name Thea from a list of options, but Ali was delighted to find out later that her nana’s great aunt was called Theadora Ruth. Lake was Jo’s five-year-old niece’s contribution.
TV star Ali is loving being a first-time mum. “We’re just so enamoured,” she says. “ I love her so incredibly much. She’s perfect.”
Ali, who announced her pregnancy in Woman’s Day at five months and left the Breakfast couch when she was eight months pregnant, is due back at work in May.
For the full interview and exclusive first photos of Thea, see this week’s Woman’s Day – on-sale nationwide on Monday.
