'Women having kids at 30 want to go back on the lash later', says Pamela Flood (44)
Top of the world: Ronan Ryan and Pamela Flood at their new cafe, Counter Culture. Photo: Gerry Mooney
Pamela Flood
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Former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood believes women who have children aged 30 just want to go "back on the lash" after they give birth.
The former Off the Rails presenter was speaking in response to critics who say she is selfish for having a baby aged 44.
Pamela is already mum to a four-year-old son Harrison and two-year-old Elsie with her husband Ronan Ryan.
"To all the naysayers out there I say if you really have a problem with me having a baby at 44 take it up with Mother Nature," she said.
"I don't think it's selfish. I think having a baby when you're thirty, when all you're concerned about is 'get this baby out' so I can go back on the lash, that's irresponsible."
The Tallaght native said it's not selfish to have a baby when you're older as long as you look after yourself.
"Everybody is different. Take ten 44-year-olds. We're all different [as are] the levels [at which]people take care of themselves," she said.
"What has changed in my life over the last number of years since becoming a mum is that I'm taking better care of myself than I ever have in my whole life."
Pamela says she maintains a healthy lifestyle so she can "be around for as long as possible" for her children.
Health
"I eat as well as I possibly can. I'm not always an angel, there's still sugar here and there," she told the Brendan O'Connor Show on RTE Radio 1.
"I smoked for years, I haven't smoked in a long time. There's hardly any alcohol in my life.
Top of the world: Ronan Ryan and Pamela Flood at their new cafe, Counter Culture. Photo: Gerry Mooney
"I am making myself as healthy as possible and mostly it is for the children. I want to be around for as long as possible, but I also want to be an active mum.
"So I think when you take care of yourself, having a baby at 44 is not a selfish thing and it's not an irresponsible thing," she added.
Pamela and Ronan married last year and she is also step mum to his son Zach.
"I think having children is the most rewarding thing and fulfilling thing you can do and the toughest thing you can do."