Serena Williams is expecting her second child, bringing joy to her growing family.
In a heartwarming YouTube video, she shared the exciting news with her daughter.
Following the birth of her first child, Williams faced a life-threatening experience that nearly cost her life.
Serena Williams and her spouse, Alexis Ohanian, celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Olympia, four years ago. Presently, they are extending their family and have graciously informed their supporters following their daughter’s knowledge.
The impending arrival of their second child brings joy to this family, especially considering the challenges they faced during their firstborn’s birth.
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In a recent YouTube video, Williams took the opportunity to reveal her daughter’s response upon learning about her pregnancy. Opening the video, she shared that Olympia was initially unaware and innocently commented, “Mommy, you’re fat.” Williams lightheartedly acknowledged the remark, emphasizing her dedication to maintaining her fitness.
The announcement of Williams’ pregnancy took place during the prestigious 2023 MET Gala. The YouTube video captured moments of her preparations for the event, leading up to the proud moment when Williams, accompanied by her husband, unveiled her blossoming baby bump to the world.
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What Led to Williams Concealing Her Pregnancy?
Although filled with excitement about their forthcoming addition, Ohanian and Williams deliberately kept the news of their second child hidden away from the public eye, as well as their four-year-old daughter. Recently, they candidly shared the reasons behind their decision.
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With plans to make a grand announcement of her second pregnancy at the MET Gala, the ex-Olympian chose to withhold this information from her daughter, sharing it with her just moments before the event. Her rationale behind this decision was straightforward:
“She has a knack for revealing secrets.”
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What Was Olympia’s Reaction to the News?
Williams recognized the importance of informing her daughter before sharing the news with the rest of the world. Thus, just before they began preparing for the MET Gala, Williams and Ohanian found themselves seated on a sofa with Olympia in between them.
Initiating the conversation, Williams inquired whether Olympia had been praying for a younger brother or sister, to which the bashful young girl nodded in affirmation. With anticipation in the air, Williams proceeded to reveal that she had visited a doctor and her changing appearance was not due to weight gain but because she was carrying Olympia’s soon-to-be little sibling. Upon hearing this, a thrilled Olympia burst out with excitement:
“Might it be said that you are messing with me?”
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Upon the confirmation from Ohanian and Williams that their revelation was not a joke, Olympia joyfully leaped out of her seat and rushed into her mother’s embrace for a warm hug. Williams proudly presented her growing belly to Olympia, prompting the little girl to gleefully leap up and dart around the room with excitement.
Aware that they had to keep the news under wraps for one more day, Ohanian cautioned Olympia to keep it a secret until then. He assured her that afterward, she could proudly share with everyone that she would soon become a loving big sister. Ohanian also expressed to Olympia that they would need her assistance once the baby arrived.
When the time finally arrived for Williams to disclose the news to the world, she did so with an unforgettable touch of style. Adorned in a custom Gucci ensemble and complemented by numerous strands of pearls, she aimed for the moment to be iconic. This significance stemmed from her desire to one day recount the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy announcement to her future daughter or son. Reflecting on the experience, Williams expressed her satisfaction, stating that she believed it went well and that she thoroughly enjoyed the entire affair.
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While the family celebrates the joyful news of the pregnancy, Williams acknowledged the uncertainties at the outset of her video. Displaying a positive pregnancy test, she expressed her hopes for a smooth journey this time around, as her previous experience was far from pleasant.
What Transpired During Williams’ Initial Childbirth?
In a reflective piece penned by Williams following the birth of Olympia in 2018, the former professional tennis player delved into her pregnancy and childbirth journey. Commencing the article, she candidly expressed:
“The experience of giving birth to my daughter, Olympia, brought me perilously close to losing my life.”
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Despite encountering significant challenges after her daughter’s birth, Williams expressed gratitude for the entire experience and reassured that both she and her daughter were eventually declared healthy.
During labor, Olympia’s heart rate experienced distressing drops amidst contractions, prompting doctors to recommend a C-section for safe delivery. However, the situation posed risks for Williams herself.
The renowned former tennis star confirmed the successful and healthy birth of her baby, bringing immense joy to the family. Yet, their happiness was abruptly disrupted for consecutive six days. Williams, known to have a history of pulmonary embolisms, admitted to living in constant fear of such an occurrence. Unfortunately, her fears materialized as she suffered a pulmonary embolism following the delivery of Olympia.
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Recognizing the urgency of her condition, Williams promptly alerted the medical staff when she began experiencing episodes of breathlessness. Subsequently, she encountered a series of health complications that unfolded one after another. Initially, her C-section incision reopened due to severe bouts of coughing.
Consequently, she underwent another surgical procedure to address a hematoma discovered in her abdomen. Further surgery was followed to prevent the risk of blood clots reaching her lungs.
Williams affirmed that once she was permitted to return home to her loved ones, her initial six weeks as a new mother were predominantly spent confined to bed, focusing on recovery from the assortment of health issues and surgeries she had endured.
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Expressing immense gratitude, the esteemed gold medalist acknowledged that her survival would not have been possible without the invaluable assistance of the medical team and their cutting-edge equipment. Their unwavering support left her profoundly thankful.
In the aftermath of her challenging experience, Williams has become a passionate advocate for ensuring women worldwide have access to similar levels of support during their most critical moments. In light of this, we extend our heartfelt wishes to Ohanian and Williams for a healthy pregnancy and a joyful childbirth experience.