Introducing Angel Iris Murphy Brown
Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown introduces her new daughter, whom she has named Angel Iris Murphy Brown, to the world in OK! Magazine UK this week.
Melanie talks about driving herself to the hospital mid-contractions, her answer to Phoenix about how Angel got in her belly, why she chose the name, if she uses a nanny, and all about Eddie.
Click below for photos and interview highlights!
On moving: Mel moved to the US to escape media attention in the UK during her pregnancy, living in a beach house in Santa Monica. Because of this, she said it ended up being, ‘the best pregnancy.’
On labor starting: It was so easy, she came nine days early (on April 3rd). My waters broke at home. Both my mum and Phoenix were out. I was by myself but I didn’t want to be dramatic and call an ambulance. So I just got into the car and drove to the hospital. If anybody could have seen my facial expressions as I was driving – every time I had a contraction they would’ve wondered what was going on! I have a great doctor and she really calmed me down. She told me to call my mum as the contractions were going to last for five or six hours. So my mum came over, Phoenix was there, and I called some of my friends.
On the birth: At midnight, I dilated from 4 cm to 10 cm in a matter of minutes – all of a sudden my baby was coming out. I had to call my doctor and she was running red lights so that she could come back to the hospital in time to deliver the baby. I’d been having lots of Reiki healing and I think it helped me relax. Sometimes you can create lots of panic and problems. I think she was just ready to come out.
I pushed and the baby was out in four minutes. It must have been the easiest birth. She was checked out and I was breastfeeding. It was that quick. I don’t think my mum even had time to cry. Phoenix had been asleep and was woken up by her newborn sister crying.
On rumors that Angel was underweight: She was 5 lbs. I think I do deliver small babies – Phoenix was around the same weight when she was born. She was a good, healthy size. I think a 9 lb baby would have broken me!
On Angel’s name: One of my friends is called Angel and he said it’s a nice nameto grow up with. And she is my angel, she was my little angel throughmy pregnancy. Iris, as it’s my grandma’s name, Murphy because he’s thedad and Brown because I’m the mum! To be honest, every time I look at her I want to call her Phoenix because she looks so much like my other daughter.
Does she have a nanny?: No, I don’t do nannies. Thank God I’ve got my mothering instincts.
What does Phoenix think of her new sister?: She asked me how she got inside of me and I told her from love. She doesn’t need to know the other bit!
I think now that Phoenix, 8, is a bit older, it’s nice as she wants to help.
On motherhood: Motherhood definitely softens you. It just melts you.
On Eddie: Where do I start? Our relationship was amazing. The minute we met, the attraction was instant, we were just like a couple of kids together. We were so in love and the whole thing was just beautiful. When I look back I think we must have had the perfect relationship. We’d both been single for some time and we’d both written a list about what kind of person and relationship we wanted. I fit his list and he fit mine. Eddie brought out a lot of my feminine side too, it was an equal relationship and I never had that before – we were a dream partnership. I’m thankful that I experienced it. Click here to read more.
On finding out she was pregnant: It was amazing – we were in the bathroom with the pregnancy test and telling each other to look at the result. Eddie was over the moon. [Angel] was talked about and planned. It wasn’t like oops I’mpregnant. Nothing was rushed, we discussed everything in a mature way. Maybe I got a little hormonal. We had a few little disagreements. I was pregnant and hormonal and just wanted to have him all to myself. But he had to be responsible to other people.
On the breakup she never knew had happened: I came to England to see my mum for a few days as I wanted to tell her I was pregnant in person. Eddie had called reassuring that he loved me, which was good as moms worry. Then I got on the plane to go home, landed, and there is a whole sea of photographers. I thought, there must have been somebody really famous on this flight. And they were all for me. There were people shouting about a DNA test.
A friend and my press agent had called to tell me while I was on the flight. I was shocked and then I felt a bit disgusted. I tried to call Eddie and couldn’t get through. Then I got through and he said he would call me back and that was it. He never called back. I literally couldn’t understand what was happening. I thought he must have issues going on but I have nothing but love for him. Obviously something had gone on, but who knows?
On her feelings and Eddie’s demand for a paternity test: I don’t feel humiliated. I think the only person who has humiliated themselves is Eddie. This baby has come from love, trust, and honesty.
I didn’t want to stress my body by having crying fits. I thought maybe I’m just meant to be alone during this pregnancy.
Half of me doesn’t know what he was saying [about the paternity test] as we both know this is his baby. We were on holiday with the family when I was pregnant, and we were looking at the [ultrasound] scans. I don’t think he even meant to say it. It was like I didn’t know that person who was going on TV and saying these things.
If he wants to do a DNA test, then do it. Step up to the plate and be responsible. I have no doubt that this is Eddie’s baby; I’m not saying we can’t do it, I’m sitting here saying, ‘Are you ready?’ For once in my life I’ve given up control.
His behavior was unacceptable and no woman should have to go through that. I want to show every woman out there that if it happens to them don’t even think about it. Be strong, you can do it and have a healthy baby. You will be fine.
I haven’t said anything throughout this whole thing. I have kept my dignity throughout. Somebody has to, because what’s been displayed out there is completely undignified.
On Eddie knowing about the birth: Eddie knew when I had gone into labor as my people had contacted his people. He knew when the baby was born. I still have had no response about what he is thinking and doing. But my child has the greatest cosmic sense of humor. She said, ‘I’m coming out now and it’s right on Eddie’s !’
On putting Eddie on the birth certificate: The baby needs to be registered and that needs the father’s signature. I’m not going to send in a birth certificate without the father’s signature. Every child deserves to know that its dad signed it. Imagine getting your birth certificate and one of your parent’s names is missing – that’s horrid.
Thanks to CBB reader Steffi and Boudica for scans.
