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Original poster

Cherie Blair

84 replies

emsiewill · 06/08/2002 20:50

I heard the news about her miscarriage, and of course my first thought was how sad it is for them, but I have to admit I also wonder what contraceptive they are using; I thought Leo was a "surprise", and I find it hard to believe they were planning another one - she's 47, after all. Maybe it's just because I can't imagine having more than 2, and find it hard to imagine voluntarily having 5!

OP posts:
MABS · 06/08/2002 20:59

You've written exactly what I was thinking, very careless or planned ? Either way I feel very sorry for her as its a hoffible thing to suffer .

PamT · 06/08/2002 21:05

I was shocked too that she was pregnant again at 47 and wondered if it was planned. I think once anyone acknowledges that they are pregnant it must be awful to then lose that baby whether it was planned or not. I hope the press aren't too intrusive. I've got to say that 3 are more than enough for me but someone in the Blair's position gets lots of help with the children anyway so its not like she would be struggling to make ends meet in a small house with hoards of kids clamouring around her - her 4 children are all on holiday at the moment without her and Tony so one more probably wouldn't make life any harder.

Original poster
emsiewill · 06/08/2002 21:08

And another thing, if her and her husband find time to have sex, how can I ever expect my dh to believe that I don't have the time and/or inclination.

OP posts:
Mopsy · 06/08/2002 21:09

I wondered if maybe they'd wanted another sibling for Leo, so he's not so much the baby of the family all on his own; very upsetting for all of them whatever the circumstances.

lilibet · 06/08/2002 21:11

I do feel really sorry for them, it's a horrid thing to go thru.I did also wonder about contraception and I know that its probably not the sort of thing that you should discuss about your prime minister but do you think that they use any? They are both Roman Catholics and I have friends who do take the 'no contraception' teachings very seriously, they are on their fourth, by the way! My willpower would never be strong enough!!

Bozza · 06/08/2002 21:59

Must admit a lot of these thoughts have also gone through my head. Have to sympathise though - must be awful for them both to have to deal with it so publicly.

mears · 06/08/2002 23:32

What a shame for her - I didn't realise that she had been pregnant till I read this. I have to say though that there is a bit of negativity coming through about her being pregnant in the first place. A little bit cheeky don't you think? I remember the negativity I had misscarrying after having had 3 children. I was almost told be a few people ( including my GP) that it was a bit much being pregnant in the first place? Was I not using contraception? In fact it was a very much wanted baby and I was deeply hurt by people's remarks. I subsequently went on to have my dd. What Tony and Cherie decide regarding the size of their family is their own private business, no matter what their ages are. I am sure a public debate will enue in the press. How sad

PamT · 07/08/2002 06:51

Perhaps some of the comments that have been made are a little cheeky or insensitive but for someone in the public eye who has already admitted to one 'surprise' baby it can only be expected that people will wonder if this latest pregnancy was planned or not. I still do sympathise with them for their loss as this must be hard to come to terms with whether the baby was planned or not.

I respect any woman's choice regarding the number of babies she has or when she has them but I do feel that it can be a little unfair on the children if the parents are older. DH was born when his parents were both in their mid 40s and they were both retired before he left school. His younger life was restricted by the disabilities brought on by his parents old age and both died around the time he was 30.

bells2 · 07/08/2002 08:28

I agree with you Mears.

Tissy · 07/08/2002 08:38

PamT, many of us don't have the oppportunity to be mothers in our teens and twenties, and I rather take exception to the idea that having a child when you're older is somehow unfair on that child. I am 39, only found myself a husband 3 years ago, and had dd 6 months ago after 2 1/2 years of trying and one miscarriage. I suppose I could have had a child by any of my previous boyfriends, who would no doubt have legged it pdq, and then I would have been a single mother.Would that have been any fairer? So what if I die in 30 years time, dd will have had 30 years of being adored and probably spoilt rotten by her Mum (and Dad!) :0

Tissy · 07/08/2002 08:40

I mean

Enid · 07/08/2002 08:53

Poor Cherie Blair. Who knows, maybe she didn't think she was capable of conceiving again and this baby was a 'Winter Surprise', as my mum described her last baby (born when mum was 46). My sympathies are with her totally.

Tillysmummy · 07/08/2002 09:30

Being very synical but maybe a political tactic too on behalf of her husband. Im sure not and I do feel sorry for them but can't help wondering.

futurity · 07/08/2002 09:35

That is VERY synical!

Tillysmummy · 07/08/2002 09:40

I know. Im sure it's not the case as well. Im just being a B*tch. But I do think Mr Blair is very guilty of using all sorts of situations to enhance his image wherever possible.

Gracie · 07/08/2002 09:41

I don't think it's cynical just downright mean.

ScummyMummy · 07/08/2002 09:47

How can a miscarriage be a political tactic? I find this thought baffling rather than cynical, Tillysmummy!
I quite like Cherie (though how she puts up with wet old Tone is beyond me!) and think it's a real shame this has happened. Whether the pregnancy was an accident or deliberate, it is horrible for her and her family planning is her own business, surely.

manna · 07/08/2002 09:54

It brought home to me how seriously they must take their Catholicism - something that I thought may have been a political tactic from time to time. Poor her.

Tinker · 07/08/2002 09:58

I was just about to say the same thing Scummy. I was going to stay out of this on the basis that it's no-one else's business but really, to say it's cynical is cynical itself.

Gracie · 07/08/2002 10:03

PamT, it is my understanding that her children are only on holiday without her (and with her mother) because of the miscarriage. I thought she would be re-joining them as soon as possible. GIven the reacton of people here as a "tactic" it was hardly likely to win them votes anyway. How on earth could her religion be a tactic? Are Catholics notorious swinging voters all living in marginal seats or something???

Tillysmummy · 07/08/2002 10:09

Didn't want to upset anyone just expressing my opinion but I don't know all the facts and it certainly is their business. I also have lots of sympathy. Was just curious about it. Next time I'll curb my curiosity.

aloha · 07/08/2002 10:10

Pam T, I had my ds at 38, and my dh is 44. I don't think there will be a child in the world more loved, encouraged and supported than ours. I really do take exception to the idea that it is unfair to him to be born! BTW do you honestly think it would have been better for your dh not to be born, you not to have married him and your children not to exist? That's the only alternative.

I have to say, after baby no 1 was an admitted 'suprise', I did wonder if the Blairs have never used contraception. She is a pretty devout Catholic. Perhaps the rhythm method worked well when they were younger, but not now they are older and her cycle is less regular? Just a thought. I really feel for them. Baby Leo looks absolutely gorgeous and the new baby would have been company for him. And of course, a baby doesn't have to be pre-planned to be loved and welcomed. My dh was another late surprise for his mum, and I suspect she loves him best of all her sons.

bells2 · 07/08/2002 10:14

Just as whether parents work or not is largely irrelevant to their success/suitability as parents so is age!

musica · 07/08/2002 10:15

I think it is really good they have the courage to be Catholic in this 'politically correct climate' - I'm not catholic, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to believe in something. I have every sympathy with them - T as well as C - it is his baby as well! I think it must always be very difficult to lose a baby, at any age!

janh · 07/08/2002 10:24

All the thoughts already expressed have crossed my mind too, especially wondering if they had planned a little sibling for Leo. Particularly awful to have it splashed all over the media.

I did have another thought though - given her age, I wonder if she might have had to have a termination? Unlikely, I know, with her sincere and devout Catholicism - but there are other considerations.