Cradle Q&A
Talking with... Actress Chyler Leigh

ctress Chyler Leigh, from the popular show Grey’s Anatomy, must believe in the old adage that good things come in threes. She may play a doctor on television, but in real life she plays an expectant mom... for the third time! Leigh and her husband, Nathan West, will welcome a little girl later this spring.

She recently talked with The Cradle about her experience with weight gain, baby names, and trying to balance it all.

The Cradle: How does it feel to become a mom the third time around?

Chyler: My husband and I are very excited to be having another baby! Not to mention our son is thrilled to be having another sibling. Our daughter, being two, doesn't really understand what's going on quite yet.

The Cradle: Now that you've "been there, done that," are you doing anything differently with this pregnancy than you did with your other two?

Chyler: Well, since I'll be filming Grey's Anatomy up until about a week or two until I deliver, I'll be on camera nearly the entire time. So, I've put a focus on eating very well and exercising. The first time I was pregnant, I gained about 55 pounds and it was difficult to lose. The second time, it was about 40 pounds. Having a three year old already, shedding the weight was easier that second time around. And so this time, I am hoping to gain around 30 pounds.

The Cradle: Will Grey's Anatomy write your pregnancy into the show? Or will you just be holding lots of clipboards and hiding behind gurneys?!

Chyler: The writers will not be writing the pregnancy into the show, so yes...the belly will be hidden behind medical equipment, charts, etc.

The Cradle: Working long television hours must certainly be tiring for a mom-to-be…how are you taking care of yourself?

Chyler: I do my best to stay off my feet when I can. My husband does an excellent job of taking care of me and helping out with the children so that I can relax. He's also learning to cook, and preparing dinners and helping pack lunches for me when I have long days at work. And everyone on set is so wonderful and considerate of my wellbeing as well. I usually have someone urging me to sit, or is bringing a chair close by so that I don't have to go far to rest.

The Cradle: How do you best try to balance marriage, motherhood, "me-time", and a career?

Chyler: It's all about the scheduling and communication with my husband. And we both adamantly agree that when you have a healthy marriage, you have healthy children. So we take time for date nights and also plan the week(s) ahead so that we stay consistent for the kids and keep ourselves balanced, happy, and as calm as possible.