style mama

First WordStyle Mama Kelly Rippen

WLWT Anchor Kelly Rippen is no stranger to a challenging assignment. But motherhood is a whole new gig. We caught up with Rippen in the days leading up to her due date to talk pregnancy nerves, work-life balance, and her maternity wardrobe.

— LAUREN FISHER

YOU’RE A MORNING ANCHOR. I FEEL NAUSEOUS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOUR FIRST TRIMESTER. HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH ?

I’m not sure if it’s because my body clock is permanently confused from being on this shift or I was just one of the people who had “early evening sickness” instead, but I felt great every morning.

WHEN YOU FIRST ANNOUNCED YOUR PREGNANCY, YOU TALKED ABOUT FEELING “EQUAL PART EXCITED AND TERRIFIED.” ARE YOU STILL FEELING THAT WAY?

Oh, absolutely. But I realized I have felt this way about all of the major changes in my life. I made it through those, learned a lot, and I’m better because of them, so I’m confi dent this will be the same.

HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING WORK-LIFE BALANCE?

I’ve been lucky to have incredible role models in my personal and professional life who are absolute rock stars at work and super-moms.

WHAT’S THE GO-TO MATERNITY PIECE IN YOUR WARDROBE?

Fashion does not come naturally to me—I blame/miss school uniforms. I found out I was pregnant just as all the winter clothes were going on sale, so I scooped up a few great sweater dresses . Thankfully, a lot of them will be good post-partum too!

Kelly Rippen and her husband welcomed 7-pound, 14-ounce baby Benjamin on November 12.