Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon and her husband Peter Cho have offered fans a touching glimpse of their first Christmas as a family of three, following the arrival of their baby boy. The 44-year-old pop star, who endured a gruelling years-long fertility journey, shared a festive snap on Instagram this Saturday, marking a milestone filled with joy.
A Festive Milestone After a Long Road
Liz McClarnon announced last month that her first child had arrived early, culminating a challenging path that involved eight IVF cycles over three years. The couple, who met four years ago, began their fertility treatments early in their relationship, conscious of Liz's age. They faced three failed embryo cycles in 2023 and suffered two miscarriages the following year, a process Liz described as taking a significant mental and physical toll.
In her recent festive post, the family posed in matching pyjamas from Alder Hey in front of their Christmas tree, with their newborn son's face covered. "Ready for Christmas wearing our @alderhey pyjamas," Liz wrote, radiating happiness in her new role as a mother.
The Overwhelming But Joyful Birth
Last month, Liz shared the first black-and-white photos of her son, explaining the post coincided with what would have been his original due date. The heartwarming images included a shot of Liz cradling her newborn in a hospital bed shortly after birth, and another of Peter taking their baby home in a carrier—a moment she said they had "waited a long time for."
She candidly described the "overwhelming" birth experience, revealing her waters broke unexpectedly at 4am and the situation became "a bit scary" when the baby's heart rate dropped. She was quick to praise the NHS staff at their chosen hospital, who "whipped into action" and provided exceptional care. Despite the fright, Liz reassured everyone all was well with a selfie from her hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up.
A Dream Realised After Years of Struggle
The journey to parenthood was an emotional rollercoaster for the couple. Liz previously spoke about the side effects of IVF medications and the weight gain she experienced, which she hid because she didn't want fertility treatment to become her entire identity. "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," she recalled in an interview.
The tide turned in May when Liz and Peter announced their pregnancy with an emotional Instagram video. In the clip, Liz revealed her baby bump and told followers, "After years of sometimes quite painful IVF and dark times, I'm pregnant! We feel like we've been given the world." Now, with their son home, the family is finally celebrating the Christmas they had long hoped for, a testament to their resilience and the happy ending to their arduous fertility journey.
