This time round I'm being a bit kinder to myself'

Swimming champion Rebecca Adlington opens up about expecting a child after pregnancy loss and the difficulties of retiring from sport

- SOFIA ZAGZOULE

Four-time Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington OBE revealed in September that she is expecting her third child, which she has called a “small miracle”. After experiencing two heartbreaking miscarriages in the past three years, the BBC sports presenter said that she and her husband Andy Parsons are “cautiously overjoyed” and just “trying to take each day as it comes”.

Rebecca, 36, is already a doting mum to Summer, 10, who she shares with ex-husband Harry Needs, and Albie, four, her son with Andy. Here, she candidly opens up to us about her anxiety after suffering baby loss, why sleep is so important to her, and the challenge of taking more of a backseat this time around.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, Rebecca. How are you feeling?

My daughter Summer is so excited! My son Albie doesn’t really understand. I’m like, “It takes nine months, Albie.” And he goes, “Is that a long time?” Summer also understands a bit more about miscarriage than my son does. I have spoken to so many different people during this pregnancy about anxiety. It’s about accepting it and going with our feelings. I don’t want to dismiss things - if I’m worried about something I know I can see the doctor and get support. A mother’s intuition is a good thing.

Are you going to try to take it easy?