Former Shortland Street star Beth Allen has revealed why she and theatre producer husband Charlie McDermott have named their first baby Sidney.
“We really liked Sid and then we realised it was also a family name – my great, great grandfather was Sidney. He can be Sid to his mates and Sidney when he’s a barrister,” she tells.
The 32-year-old, who played Dr Brooke Freeman, gave birth to Sidney Jolyon McDermott on May 6, revealing she made sure she looked good for the birth after discovering it would be a Caesarian birth, due to Sid’s breech position.
“I was initially quite disappointed, because I had wanted to have a natural birth,” she says. “But once I knew the date, I went into pro-active mode again. The day before, I went and got my hair blow dried. I just thought ‘Bugger this! If I can’t have a natural birth, I might as well just enjoy it and look good in the photos!’”
Watch Beth in action as Dr Brooke Freeman on Shortland Street. Story continues below.
Sid was born to the soothing strains of Kiwi favourites Fat Freddy’s Drop. And Beth reveals her recovery was so speedy that “recovering from C-sections should be listed as my super power”.
The proud parents have already taken their baby boy to one of their favourite Kiwi places – the Coromandel’s Whangapoua, near New Chums Beach, where Charlie, 33, proposed to Beth.
“Having Sid has also made me realise that the biggest clichés about babies are true,” tells Beth. “You really don’t know just how much you are going to love them.”
For more on Beth and her bundle of joy, see the full story in this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on sale now.
