Ciara had a little laundry to hang…and one very big surprise to reveal!
In a playful Instagram video on Sunday, the 40-year-old singer stood in her backyard in a white tank top, jeans, and oversized hair rollers, hanging white T-shirts on a clothesline. Then the camera panned to reveal a baby bump and a tiny onesie waiting for the newest family member.
Ciara and her husband, Russell Wilson, 37, are expecting their fourth child together and her fifth child overall. The couple announced the news with a series of photos and videos, captioning the post, “One more person to Love 🖐🏽🥺🖤.”
Of course, their four kids know the news, too, and their reactions are pretty adorable.
In a video shared Tuesday, Ciara and Wilson gathered Future Zahir, 12, Sienna Princess, 9, Win Harrison, 6, and Amora Princess, 2, in the living room. Wilson told the kids they had something to tell their grandparents, then the family counted to five together.
“We’re having another baby,” Ciara announced, revealing her growing bump.
The kids erupted.
Future looked stunned before saying, “Oh my god! Actually? No way!” He then joked, “The speculations were true! I knew it,” as his siblings ran across the room. Future eventually returned to the group and yelled, “Let’s go!”
It’s a sweet glimpse at a family that’s about to get even bigger, and a fitting next chapter for a couple who has been talking about the possibility of baby No. 5 for years.
Wilson has made no secret of the fact that he wanted another baby with Ciara. He has even given their potential fifth child a nickname: “Cinco.”
In July, Wilson told PEOPLE that he and Ciara already have “four amazing kids” and hinted at their impending new arrival, saying, “We have four amazing kids. I’m trying to see if she’ll let me have a fifth.”
Now, it looks like “Cinco” is officially on the way.
Ciara’s pregnancy may also have women wondering: What does pregnancy after 40 actually mean for your health?
Having a baby at 40 does not automatically mean a pregnancy will be complicated. But age is one factor doctors consider when evaluating pregnancy, and certain risks become more common as maternal age increases.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant people ages 35 and older have higher rates of certain complications than younger pregnant people, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, labor complications, and cesarean delivery. Some pregnancy risks become more pronounced at age 40 and older.
Pregnancy later in life can also come with an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, miscarriage, and stillbirth. That doesn’t mean an older pregnant person will experience these complications. Rather, healthcare providers may recommend additional monitoring based on age and the person’s individual health and pregnancy history.
That can include conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, which may affect pregnancy management.
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For Black women, pregnancy after 40 has another layer that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Black women in the United States continue to experience disproportionately high rates of pregnancy-related complications and maternal mortality. But Dawnette Lewis, MD, MPH, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and director of Northwell Health’s Center for Maternal Health, cautions against reducing those disparities to Black women simply having more underlying health conditions.
“I don’t think it’s simply that patients have pre-existing medical conditions. I think it’s also the way Black women are treated when they’re entered in the healthcare system,” Lewis tells the Amsterdam News.
That distinction matters.
A Black woman who becomes pregnant at 40 shouldn’t be viewed through a checklist of age- and race-based risks and left to figure things out from there. Her overall health, medical history, pregnancy history, and access to quality care all matter—and so does whether she feels heard by the people providing that care.
The goal isn’t to make women afraid of pregnancy after 40. It’s to make sure they understand what questions to ask and what care may be appropriate for them.
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If you’re considering pregnancy in your 40s, talking with an OB-GYN before or early in pregnancy can help identify health issues that may need attention.
Your provider may review your blood pressure, blood sugar, medications, family history, and previous pregnancies. Depending on your individual circumstances, your care team may also recommend additional monitoring during pregnancy.
ACOG recommends that providers consider additional fetal surveillance and other measures for pregnancies in which the pregnant person will be 40 or older.
Here are a few practical steps to help you navigate pregnancy after 40:
But good medical care isn’t just about tests and monitoring. It’s also about your relationship with your healthcare team.
Lewis emphasizes the importance of finding a provider who listens.
“You need a doctor who listens to you, understands you, and makes you feel comfortable,” she says. She also encourages patients to speak up, ask questions, and seek a second opinion when something doesn’t feel right.
That advice can be especially important for Black women, who may encounter racial bias or have their concerns dismissed during healthcare encounters.
RELATED: Tasha Smith: Motherhood Over 40
Ciara hasn’t shared details about her pregnancy beyond the announcement—and she doesn’t need to.
Her pregnancy is her own, and there is no way to determine her individual health risks simply from her age, her appearance, or the fact that this is her fifth pregnancy.
What her announcement does offer is an opportunity to talk about something many women are navigating: becoming pregnant later in life and understanding what that can mean for their health.
The family is already celebrating the newest addition to their growing family.
And judging from their announcement, they’re already ready to welcome one more person to love.
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