In a recent appearance on Amy Poehler's podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler, which aired on January 27, 2026, the Homeland and Fleishman Is in Trouble actress opened up about calling her obstetrician in what she called "convulsive tears." "It was a pure meltdown," Danes said. "None of this was by design. I didn’t know it was physically possible. I was 44."
The Emmy-winning star, now 46, and her husband, actor Hugh Dancy, welcomed their daughter in July 2023. The couple, married since 2009, are also parents to sons Cyrus (born December 2012) and Rowan (born 2018), with each child arriving roughly five years apart.
Danes revealed that her second pregnancy with Rowan had required two rounds of IVF, making the third pregnancy entirely unexpected. "Rowan was very hard-earned," she noted during the conversation.
She had previously spoken about the surprise on the SmartLess podcast in November 2025, admitting she felt "terrified" at first but that everything ultimately worked out well. On Good Hang, Danes reflected on the complex emotions, including a sense of shame. "I felt like I was naughty — like I’d been caught fornicating past the point I was meant to," she said. "It was weird. I felt like I was stepping outside parameters I hadn’t even realized were there."
The actress, who debuted her pregnancy at the 2023 Golden Globes, described the experience as "deeply humbling." She expressed delight when she learned the baby was a girl—whom she referred to as Shay during the podcast—after expecting another boy based on her previous pregnancies. "Shay, my baby, she’s very kind of in her head and dreamy," Danes said.
Danes and Dancy met in 2006 on the set of the film Evening and have maintained a private family life since. The couple's third child arrived amid Danes' continued success in television and film, including her role in the Netflix series The Beast in Me.
The candid discussion has resonated with many, highlighting the emotional realities of pregnancy at an advanced maternal age, including surprise, joy, fear, and societal expectations. Danes' openness about the challenges and unexpected blessings underscores the personal side of parenthood for high-profile figures.
