KAYLEE'S SWEET SURPRISE 'I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE A MUM'

The Kiwi country music queen reveals her miraculous road to motherhood after years of heartbreaking health issues

- Nicky Pellegrino

Becoming a first-time mum at the age of 36 has been life-changing for Kaylee Bell. Baby James is an adorable, smiley little boy and having been told by doctors that she probably couldn’t have kids, he’s the most amazing surprise the Kiwi country music superstar could have wished for.

“James is a dream baby,” smiles Kaylee as her son snuggles into her arms after their adorable Woman’s Day photoshoot. “He sleeps really well and is such a good little trouper that he makes everything easy.”

Kaylee’s journey to motherhood hasn't been so simple, however. Ever since she was a teen, the chart-topping singer has been plagued by painful health problems.

It all started with a bout of peritonitis at 16, then she had symptoms that were put down to irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune problems and more recently, endometriosis, a condition that creates scar tissue and inflammation in the pelvic area, often causing severely painful periods.

“It’s really debilitating,” explains Kaylee. “I've been going to doctors for years looking for answers and just finding ways of coping, so I can push through every month and live my life. But although I'd always wanted to be a mum, I was also reaching an age where I didn’t think it was going to be possible.”

Back in June last year, she and her partner, musician Nick Campbell, were in Nashville for a music festival.

“I'd been touring a lot at that point. I was tired and rundown, so when I missed a period, I assumed that was why,” recalls Kaylee. “But while I was out shopping with a friend, she suggested I buy a pregnancy test kit, so I grabbed one and took the test that night. It was midnight when we found out that I was pregnant and I went into total shock.”

Back in New Zealand, she went for an ultrasound to make sure everything was OK.