Liz McClarnon has shared the first photo of her son since welcoming the baby boy into the world her husband Peter Cho, following a gruelling years-long fertility journey.
The Atomic Kitten star, 44, announced at the start of the month that her first child had arrived early, but despite the birth being ‘a bit scary’, reassured that all had gone well with a selfie of herself giving a thumbs up from her hospital bed.
Taking to Instagram again on Thursday, she shared a string of black-and-white snaps of the newborn for the first time, explaining that today was supposed to be his due date.
The heartwarming photos showed Liz sat in a hospital bed and cradling her son right after giving birth, with another of Peter taking the newborn home in a baby carrier.
While a third saw Liz sweetly embracing her little boy, who was clad in a personalised cardigan, which read: ‘Baby McCho’ in a sweet portmanteau of her and Peter’s surnames.
In the caption, the singer opened up on the ‘overwhelming’ birth, admitting she had ‘quite a shock’ when her waters broke much earlier than expected, but praising the NHS staff for their care.
Liz McClarnon has shared the first photo of her son since welcoming the baby boy into the world her husband Peter Cho, following a gruelling years-long fertility journey
The Atomic Kitten star, 44, announced at the start of the month that her first child had arrived early, but despite the birth being ‘a bit scary’, reassured that all had gone well with a selfie of herself giving a thumbs up from her hospital bed (seen)
Taking to Instagram again on Thursday, she shared a string of black-and-white snaps of the newborn for the first time, explaining that today was supposed to be his due date
She said: ‘Today was our little bun’s actual due date. (No, bun isn’t his name). I can’t believe he came so early, over ten days ago.
‘He gave me quite a shock at 4am when my waters broke. It all got a bit scary when his heart rate dropped but the amazing NHS Staff at our chosen hospital whipped into action.
‘It was overwhelming but they blew us away with their professionalism and care. We are so grateful!’
While she showed her joy at finally becoming a mother after struggling to conceive and going through eight IVF cycles in three years.
She wrote: ‘P.S. I had to put the customary partner-with-baby-carrier-walking-out-of-hospital picture at the end – We’ve waited a long time for this.’
Liz and Peter met four years ago and started their IVF journey early on in their relationship, as she explained that they were both conscious of her age – 40, at the time they met.
Unfortunately the couple had three failed embryo cycles in 2023, and then suffered two miscarriages the following year, which took a mental and physical toll on Liz.
‘The first time we did it, I thought, “This will be it,”‘ she recalled to The Mirror.
The heartwarming photos showed Liz sat in a hospital bed and cradling her son right after giving birth, with another of Peter taking the newborn home in a baby carrier
In the caption, the singer opened up on the ‘overwhelming’ birth, admitting she had ‘quite a shock’ when her waters broke much earlier than expected, but praising the NHS staff for their care
‘But by my third cycle, it was obviously very different. When that one didn’t work, I was really quite sick and I was in a dark hole.’
‘I’d put on so much weight but I didn’t want to tell anyone why, because I didn’t want the IVF to become my identity, my whole personality.’
A full cycle of IVF takes around three to six weeks to complete and hormone medications play a crucial role in stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs and prepare the uterus for implantation.
Taking to Instagram earlier this year, Liz uploaded a montage of snaps from the past few years, which detailed her treatments as well as the side effects of the medication.
But in May, she and Peter announced they had finally gotten the happy news they’d longed for, with an emotional Instagram clip revealing Liz’s pregnancy.
The sweet video showed her sat on a park bench, before turning around to reveal her blossoming bump, as she told fans: ‘I’ve been keeping a secret from you, and I’ve mostly kept myself off social media because sometimes it was hard to smile.
‘But after years of sometimes quite painful IVF and dark times, I’m pregnant! We feel like we’ve been given the world.’
Liz captioned the post: ‘I started to record a video of me just telling you but I got too emotional so I thought I’d just hide behind this little announcement instead.
While she showed her joy at finally becoming a mother after struggling to conceive and going through eight IVF cycles in three years (seen last month)
But in May, she and Peter announced they had finally gotten the happy news they’d longed for, with an emotional Instagram clip revealing Liz’s pregnancy (pictured)
‘I just can’t believe we’re here. So many have been through exactly what I went through and worse. ❤️
‘I want to share what I can and add my voice and ears to those who already help others understand or deal with all that comes with IVF and loss after so much hope.
‘I’ve been a part of some beautifully supportive communities. I’m so grateful.’
Her post was soon flooded with congratulations from her celebrity pals, including her former Atomic Kitten bandmate Natasha Hamilton.
She wrote: ‘Literally couldn’t be any happier for you both! After all you’ve been through, this little miracle is everything.’
Michelle Heaton said: ‘So unbelievably happy for you both. I know how the road has been unkind to get here… but look at u now… so so happy xx love to all three of u xx.’
S Club 7 star Jo O’Meara penned: ‘Awwww this is so lovely! Congratulations darling.’
Liz married her husband Peter Cho in June 2023, but didn’t reveal his identity to her followers until they celebrated their first wedding anniversary last year.
The singer first rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the iconic girlband Atomic Kitten (pictured with bandmates Kerry Katona and Natasha Hamilton in 2000)
The fiercely private singer took to her Stories with two snaps of her handsome spouse, after his face was previously masked by confetti in the photo from their big day.
Alongside a snap of Peter in the sunshine, Liz wrote: ‘Guess what?! I’ve been married to my perfect match for a whole year, I love you Peter Cho!’
She then shared a throwback from their wedding day as they posed together, with the bride looking stunning in a Bardot neckline gown with full skirt.
The pair cuddled up, Peter looking dapper in a three-piece black suit, with Liz adding: ‘Thank you for your lovely well wishes.’
They tied the knot in the Lake District, with the guests including Liz’s former bandmate Natasha Hamilton.
Revealing the news, she said: ‘A few days ago Peter & I tied the knot surrounded by some of the people we love and care for (and little Bean – our dog) and I wanted to share this lovely picture with you from our day.
‘We are so grateful to everyone that was there, especially some that travelled from all across the world to be there with us (Australia, LA, Hong Kong, Ibiza…)
‘And finally… Dearest online friends that worked out what day it was, I just wanted to thank you for your lovely messages, you’ve been so kind.
Liz and Peter tied the knot in June 2023, but she didn’t reveal his identity to her followers until they celebrated their first wedding anniversary
Liz was previously engaged to Blue singer Lee Ryan. The pair dated for two years before he popped the question in 2003
Liz’s wedding came a year after she shocked fans with a surprise engagement announcement, as she wished her husband-to-be a happy birthday.
She shared a snap embracing her mysterious fiancé, surprising many of her friends who took to the comments.
Her large diamond engagement ring was visible, while she kept the identity of the man a secret.
Captioning the black-and-white photo, she wrote: ‘Happy birthday to my husband-to-be. YEP! I’m going to marry the most beautiful human I’ve ever known and it’s his birthday today. Double yay!’
Liz was previously engaged to Blue singer Lee Ryan, after dating for around two years before he popped the question in 2003.
They called off the romance shortly after, with Liz saying she didn’t like dating a fellow celebrity.
After Lee, she had a long-term partner in Harlequins rugby star Ryan O’Neill. They were together from 2012 to 2014.
Shortly after the split, she said of potential motherhood: ‘I think I’ve been quite strong about not having babies with the wrong people.
‘Some people think I haven’t had the chance but I made a conscious decision not to have children with the people I was with.’
