Content Warning: This article discusses pregnancy loss and pre-natal depression.
Gogglebox Australia star Isabelle Silbery has announced the birth of her daughter! Taking to Instagram, she revealed she had given birth to a daughter, Ruby Emily Richards.
“The female body is truly incredible,” she wrote alongside a photo of mum and bub. “My daughter is here and the experience was grounding and empowering.”
“@ajrichards6 so honoured to see you become a besotted father 🥹🥰”
“I’m hormonal and in a love bubble. More to come soon. Xx”
WATCH NOW: Gogglebox’s Isabelle Silbery shares her engagement news with her grandma. Article continues after video.
The week before giving birth, Isabelle had gotten candid about her experience with pre-natal depression as she prepared for the birth of her second child.
Speaking with The Herald Sun, the reality TV star shared that her pregnancy had been difficult as she was struggling with pre-natal depression.
“I should be over the moon but I did not feel like that, [and you ask] what’s wrong with me,” Isabelle told the outlet.
“My oldest is nine and it’s been so long between drinks, it takes so long to get your body back and your mind back and your lifestyle is so good now. It was just allowing myself to process that it will be OK.”
The 36-year-old, who has been open about her past experiences with pregnancy loss and miscarriages, revealed that with therapy and medication, she is determined to overcome her pre-natal struggles and help women experiencing similar struggles.
“It’s amazing when you start a conversation openly what then comes your way,” she said. “So many women haven’t had the rainbows and butterflies pregnancies and it’s totally OK to not. And to kind of put your hand up when things aren’t feeling OK.”
In the candid interview, she also revealed that she didn’t know much about pre-natal depression since post-natal depression is spoken about more.
“But pre-natal is also a thing,” she added. “Getting the right therapy and medication, now I feel so different about it. I’m ready and positive and I’m in the best head space I can be for this phase.
The now-mum-of-two shared a heartwarming update on her pregnancy journey in October.
Taking to Instagram, Isabelle shared a collection of photos from her recent baby shower, writing, “It’s been quite the pregnancy roller coaster but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my tribe. Bringing everyone together to celebrate baby Richards made my heart full.”
“The best part [of the baby shower] being Mum surprising me with a visit from Emmie,” she continued, sharing a photo alongside her grandmother, who stepped away from the Gogglebox couch last year following her dementia diagnosis.
Isabelle, who is expecting a baby girl with husband AJ Richards, also recently shared that the couple had embarked on their babymoon to the Whitsunday Islands.
“Reading – sleeping – swimming – sex… all things to enjoy before life changes for a while 👶🏼,” she wrote to Instagram.
The Gogglebox star first announced her pregnancy in June 2023, writing to Instagram, “It’s happening 👶🤍”
“Just days before our appointment with a fertility specialist, this little one decided that the time was right for us now and we couldn’t be happier!”
“I won’t lie, it’s been a rough start. I’m sick, sick of being sick, unable to do all my normal stuff & mentally exhausted. I do love my new boobs though!”
“My favourite part has been telling Emmie over and over again, reliving the surprised smile on her face 🥰,” she continued.
“Even though eating fruit tingles and binging #oneborneveryminute is currently helping, I couldn’t do this without @ajrichards6 looking after us 💜”
Friends and fans rushed to the comment section to share messages of well-wishes and congratulations.
“How amazing! So happy for you guys! Congratulations ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” commented fellow Gogglebox star and new dad Matty Fahd.
“Congratulations sweetheart we are so happy for you both.❤️❤️,” replied Gogglebox’s Lee and Keith.
Soon after the exciting announcement, Isabelle revealed the gender of her bub in an interview with Womans Day.
“There will be three woman on the couch again. Mum is so excited I’m having a girl,” she shared. “She always told me “It’s up to you to have another woman in the family.'”
In 2021, Isabelle, who shares son Alex with an ex-partner and married Alex Richards earlier this year opened up on her experience with pregnancy loss, sharing with followers details of her “really tough time.”
“I was pregnant and then I wasn’t,” she wrote, alongside a broken heart emoji.
“Miscarriage is so hard… and after experiencing it myself recently and hearing the stories of other women and couples, I realise how common it is. I feel that it’s clearly not spoken about openly enough.
“It’s been a really rough time… the rollercoaster of getting my head around being a mother again and then suddenly having it taken away. I’m working my way through it and have had great support from my psychologist and my mates.”
“What’s also been challenging is simultaneously supporting myself but also Alex as we process our individual losses,” she continued in her post.
Isabelle’s former Gogglebox co-stars Yvie Jones and Angie Kent were among those to share their support for the star as she shared her story on social media. Isabelle also revealed she’s had the support of her loved ones as she and Alex told them ‘early on’.
“We shared our happy news openly with our friends and family early on and we don’t regret this because it’s enabled us to be so well supported as we get through this,” she wrote.
“I now understand all the amazing women who have been through this and my heart goes out to all of you… wherever you are.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. You can call the SANDS 24/7 bereavement support line on 1300 308 307 or visit the website.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication WHO magazine.
