Lauren Goodger has reconnected with her dad since getting pregnant.
The former TOWIE star, 34, has previously told how she has no contact with several members of her family, including her father Steve.
However Lauren has now revealed they are back in touch with her, following her announcement that she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Charles Drury, 23.
Good news: Lauren Goodger has reconnected with her dad since getting pregnant
Speaking to New! magazine, she said: ‘Everybody [has reached out]. I can’t think of one person who hasn’t… My family have – even people I haven’t spoken to for years. My dad.
‘They’ve all been lovely and kept in touch and got me a card and a £100 voucher for the baby.’
Lauren admitted being back in contact with her family has made her feel ‘loved’.
She said: ‘It’s his first grandchild on my dad’s side and I’m the eldest. This is the first baby on their side in 18 years. We’ve got a group chat that my sister’s made and they can’t wait.’
Pain: The former TOWIE star, 34, has previously told how she has no contact with several members of her family, including her father Steve (pictured)
Lauren admitted that the relationship with her step-mother has previously been ‘hard’, however they are now on better terms and she is keen to have her and Charles over for dinner.
The reality star – who has been dating Charles since last September – thinks her family ‘respect’ the life choices she’s made of late.
Lauren admitted that she previously didn’t know where she stood, but she believes her pregnancy has altered their perception of her.
In December Lauren admitted she wasn’t on good terms with her father and he had been ignoring her text message for three weeks.
Pained: In December Lauren admitted she wasn’t on good terms with her father and he had been ignoring her text message for three weeks
She has spoken in the past about their fractious relationship and revealed she is estranged from much of her family, as she said: ‘I WhatsApped my dad three weeks ago and he sill hasn’t replied so I can’t really be bothered with him.’
When asked about their challenging relationship, she said: ‘I speak to my mum’s side and my sister and their kids but I WhatsApped my dad three weeks ago and he sill hasn’t replied so I can’t really be bothered with him…
‘He unfollowed me on social media. I don’t understand their problems. It’s been like this for years. The more effort I make the more I feel like I’m being set up to fail…’
The news comes after the couple shared the moment they discovered they’re having a girl in a cute gender reveal clip on Instagram on Tuesday.
Lauren and Charles appeared in great spirits as they popped a balloon to unveil pink confetti, before sharing a kiss.
In an accompanying message, the builder enthused about meeting their ‘beautiful little girl’ and also uploaded a photo of the pair coordinating in blush with an ‘it’s a girl’ decoration piece.
It’s a girl! The couple shared the heartwarming moment they discovered they’re having a daughter in a cute gender reveal clip on Instagram on Tuesday
The businesswoman counted down from three to one before the amateur football player popped the balloon with a pin.
Gasping in shock, Lauren, who displayed her baby bump in a black long-sleeved top and matching leggings, sweetly embraced her partner.
The reality star looked typically radiant in a jumpsuit as her influencer beau cradled his lady’s stomach in a separate image.
A smitten Charles wrote in a caption: ‘WE ARE HAVING A GIRL. Can’t wait until you’re with us beautiful little girl.
Sweet: The couple appeared in great spirits as they popped a balloon to unveil pink confetti, before sharing a kiss
‘Each day is one closer to holding you’: In an accompanying message, the builder enthused about meeting their ‘beautiful girl’ and also uploaded a photo of the pair coordinating in blush
‘I feel like a king, Your mum my queen & you our princess! I promise you you’ll be born into a world of nothing but love, happiness & safety, you’ve made me see life in a totally different way, I’ve got everything I want, my own little family.
‘Each day is one closer to holding you in my arms but until then keep cosy in that tummy it’ll soon be time for you to meet me & your mummy♥️ (swipe for a balloon pop, it nearly knocked me off my feet).’ (sic)
They announced they were expecting a girl earlier in the week ahead of her summer arrival.
The TV star said: ‘I’m a girls’ girl, so it’s amazing for me. I love the fact I’m having a little girl – my little girl. I can dress her how I want and do all the girly things.
Big reveal: The businesswoman counted down from three to one before the amateur football player popped the balloon with a pin
Yay! Gasping in shock, Lauren displayed her baby bump in a black long-sleeved top and matching leggings
Cosy: The pair later embraced each other with a hug in the heartfelt short video
She continued: ‘People say, ‘I couldn’t see you with a boy.’ But I do really want a boy as well, I’m just really happy I’m having a girl – a mini-me!’
While finding out the gender of one’s child is usually a surprise for expectant parents, Lauren insists she knew she was expecting a girl all along – thanks to a tip from fortune tellers.
She said: ‘I knew, didn’t I?! I didn’t know, but I knew. I would have been more shocked if it was a boy. When she said I was having a girl it just confirmed what I thought I knew.
‘I’ve been to fortune tellers and they’ve always told me I’m having a girl, so I’ve always assumed I’m having a girl. When it got confirmed, I was really happy and excited… I’m going to be very protective. She’s going to be a little diva.’
Spilling the beans: The media personality had previously asked her Instagram followers if they wanted her to do a gender reveal
The blonde recently revealed that she is considering a water birth rather than the conventional alternative of giving birth in a hospital bed.
The TV personality thinks having a water birth would help her have the ‘calmest labour for herself and her baby’.
A water birth is when the pregnant woman is in a birthing pool filled with warm water for at least part of their labour, delivery, or both.
It can take place in a hospital or at home with medical staff on hand to help the woman deliver their baby.
Lauren took to Instagram stories to ask mums who have had a water birth what their experience was like.
Advice: The beautician recently took to Instagram to ask mums who have had a water birth what their experience was like
She wrote: ‘Been thinking about a water birth has anyone had one? DM me would to chat about how you found it?’
A source told MailOnline: ‘Lauren is taking her birth really seriously having seen other people having water births and thinks it could be for her.
‘She thinks it seems calming and wants the calmest labour for her and her baby.’
Just last month, Lauren admitted that she found the first three months of her pregnancy ‘quite difficult’ due to sickness and nausea.
During an Instagram Q&A, she answered questions about her journey into motherhood, including her baby’s name, a gender reveal and plans for labour.
Parents-to-be: The TV star confirmed her relationship with Charles last year and moved him into her Essex pad, just three weeks after dating
She also responded to criticism regarding her decision to share her private life online, as she teased a potential return to reality TV.
Lauren said: ‘[I] Found it quite difficult for the first three months. It’s just over as well and it’s just starting to get better so yeah, just tired still, but not the sickness.’
Later on, she elaborated on her feelings of nausea: ‘I felt very, very sick but wasn’t actually sick all the time. I have been sick a few times, or just had the feeling, I would rather have been sick because it’s a mental release.’
Lauren confirmed her relationship with Charles last year and moved him into her Essex pad, just three weeks after dating.
Sharing her pregnancy journey: The blonde is 22-weeks pregnant and eagerly awaiting the arrival of her little one