Juggling international sporting careers with the demands of raising two young children is not for the faint-hearted. But with mutual understanding, and the support of a legion of family and friends, Tall Ferns basketball star Tessa Boagni and professional rugby player Ethan Roots are taking the challenges in their stride.
When Woman's Day visits Tessa, 27, and Ethan, 25, at their Christchurch home, the couple's adorable newborn son Benji is being doted on by his proud three-year-old brother Noah.
On a two-year contract with the Exeter Chiefs rugby team in the UK, former Crusaders and North Harbour player Ethan is back in New Zealand for a whirlwind two-week visit, between pre-season training and the start of the Premiership Rugby competition, to meet his new son and enjoy precious time together as a family of four.
Tessa rushed into Christchurch Women's Hospital at 1am on 21 July, and Benji was born less than two hours later, at 2.50am. By 6.30am, mother and son were back in the comfort of their Merivale home. Benji's speedy arrival meant that Ethan, who was in the middle of pre-season training in the UK at the time, nearly missed the birth all together.
"It wasn't until I came off the training field I realised I had missed a text saying Tessa had gone to hospital," recalls Ethan. "I raced into one of the coach's rooms and jumped on Face Time. Literally five or 10 minutes later, Benji popped out."
Tessa says her son's natural water birth was a "silver lining" after suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum - the severe morning sickness that famously struck the Princess of Wales - throughout both pregnancies. With Noah, Tessa also had a difficult birth that left her mostly confined to sitting or lying down for three months.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
LIVING WITH LONG COVID
Whether you or someone close to you is suffering, the support you get will make all the difference
WENTWORTH STAR LEAH 'I FELT SO STRONG!'
The Aussie acting legend talks love, leeches, lifting weights and her new series High Country
TV STAR SAMUEL 'NO ONE GOES ON MAFS FOR LOVE'
The skincare entrepreneur has some advice for the new contestants
Khristian's RECIPE FOR LOVE
This contestant had to choose between his partner and the MasterChef kitchen
A YEAR WITHOUT JOCK 'WE WERE TWO HALVES'
It's been 12 months of milestones and missing the beloved MasterChef Australia judge
HUGH'S KIDS TELL 'WE'LL LOOK AFTER YOU, DAD'
While the actor struggles to find his feet after his divorce, Ava and Oscar are as worried as his fans
CAM'S BODY IMAGE BATTLE 'IT'S OK NOT TO HAVE ABS!
After years of being bullied when he was younger, the CTI star wants to help empower others
HOME AND AWAY CAST DIVIDED OVER NEW ROMANCE
Ada and James' love life is the talk of the town - and Summer Bay!
THE MOMENT CHARLES MADE ZARA A PRINCESS?!
The King is on a mission to give his niece a leg-up in the monarchy
BRAD & INES' ROMANCE HEATS UP!
Life was a beach for Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon as they enjoyed a romantic stroll along the waterfront in Santa Barbara last week.