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An anonymous sperm donor, IVF and a baby she delivered herself: Inside SAS Australia star Jana Pittman’s amazing modern family

The definition of Super Mum!
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Jana Pittman is undoubtedly one of the strongest women to take on the SAS Australia course after having given birth just six months prior to filming.

The Olympian-turned-doctor and her husband Paul Gatward, 52, welcomed Charles Brian Pittman-Gatward in November last year.

Charlie, as his siblings call him, is adored by his older half-sisters Jemima, four, and six-year-old Emily, who were both conceived through the same anonymous sperm donation.

Jana also has a 14-year-old son, Cornelis, from her first marriage with former coach Chris Rawlinson.

After the birth of Charles, the former Olympic hurdler admitted she used to get worried about how she’d make room in her heart to love another baby.

“But I’ve worked out you don’t carve your heart into portions for each, you just add another piece to it, and I fell absolutely in love with my Charlie immediately,” she said.

“He’s the easiest baby I’ve ever had and he’s tolerant of being squished by the girls!”

While Jana is best known for her decorated Olympic track and field career and now has a hectic schedule as an obstetrician, at home she’s simply “Mum” to her adoring kids.

Take a look at all the sweetest snaps of Jana and her brood.

(Image: New Idea)

Jana exclusively announced to New Idea on October 11 that she is pregnant with twins.

The much-loved SAS Australia contestant says she fell pregnant in the months after filming wrapped and is now 11 weeks along – and constantly nauseous.

“Early on, I used to wonder: ‘Why am I so nauseous?’ None of my other babies made me feel sick,” Jana explains, admitting the varicose veins on her left leg are very real, too. “I pondered if I had twins on board.”

Jana Pittman
(Image: Phillip Castleton/Exclusive to Woman’s Day)

Jana with all four of her children – oldest son, Cornelis, 14, her latest addition Charlie and daughters Jemima, four, and six-year-old Emily.

Image: Instagram

Jana candidly revealed breastfeeding has been “one of the biggest challenges” of her life.

“I have always had low supply and was wracked with guilt when I gave up early with first and second bub,” she revealed.

Image: Instagram

Jana’s first daughter, Emily, celebrated her sixth birthday in April surrounded by her siblings.

“Time goes so fast. Emily is 6 today. My little miracle girl. Best decision of my life to take the #solomum journey and have you my darling. Such a fabulous little lady,” the proud mum wrote.

The athlete welcomed Emily via an anonymous sperm donor and IVF in 2015. At the time of her birth, Jana was a student obstetrician in training so delivered the baby herself. “Emily was perfect and healthy, and I loved her instantly. She was far more slippery than I’d thought she’d be,” she reflected at the time.

Image: Instagram

Jana and six-year-old Emily are pictured together on her first day of kindergarten.

“Such a big girl, she was ready to ditch me at the gate but I was the one who couldn’t let go,” Jana captioned the post.

Image: Instagram

Baby number four! The Olympian-turned-doctor and her husband Paul Gatward, 52, welcomed Charles Brian Pittman-Gatward in November last year.

Image: Instagram

Working mum! Jana is studying her PhD while raising four kids.

“Crazy I know but many medical mums do this to spend time at home with bubba. Soooo we are camped at my desk cracking on with the first literature review,” she wrote on Instagram.

Image: Instagram

The birthing plans for Charles was thrown into disarray when baby Pittman-Gatward came rushing out within 90 minutes.

“I was looking forward to the experience of my first water birth, so the hospital room was full of candles and I had my own special music,” the former Olympic hurdler said.

Image: Instagram

Jemima, four, and little Charles already share an unbreakable bond. The pair are pictured with their mum at a cervical cancer charity event.

Image: Instagram

Pamper time! Jana revealed that when she and James started dating in 2019, she’d already decided to forge ahead with a pregnancy via an anonymous sperm donor, bringing Emily into the world.

Following in their mum’s footsteps! Jemima, four, and six-year-old Emily were both conceived through the same anonymous sperm donor.

Image: Instagram

Jana (pictured with Jemima) previously admitted she used to get worried about how she’d make room in her heart to love another baby.

Image: Instagram

Jana said her three older kids fell in love with Charles the second they laid eyes on him.

“They all want to hold him, and the girls are all over him like a rash,” the former Olympian said.

Image: Instagram

Like his mum, who’s always on the go, Charlie was in a rush to see the world and arrived two weeks ahead of schedule.

Image: Instagram

Cornelius, 14, is every inch the doting big brother to his three younger siblings Emily, six, Jemima, four and baby Charles.

Image: Instagram

Jana conceived oldest son Cornelis, 14, naturally with her first husband and former coach, Chris Rawlinson.

Image: Instagram

Gang’s all here! The proud mum with three of her kids.

Jana said her youngest daughter Jemima has already formed an inseparable bond with little Charles.

“Everyone with kids knows some days are just tough days to remain good at mummying. A lot of deep breaths required… but then you capture a moment like this and know it’s all worth it!” Jana posted.

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