The Celebrity Truth

Actress Ellen Pompeo – known to millions of Grey’s Anatomy fans as McDreamy’s other half, Meredith Grey – has explained her reasons for returning to work just four weeks after giving birth to baby Stella Luna, saying, “I felt like I needed to work while I had this opportunity.”

“A lot of people couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t take my maternity leave,” the actress admits in the April issue of SELF.

“I felt like I needed to work while I had this opportunity. The writers and producers were really gracious and wrote my scenes so I could preshoot them.”

Having said that, Pompeo, insists that Stella is her first priority.

She also reveals her anxiousness at being a first-time mom.

“I got pregnant and I was like, ‘Oh God, it worked! Oh, no!’ Will I know how to do everything right?” she says.

“Of course, nobody does everything right, but as long as your baby is the priority, that’s the best you can do.”

As for her relationship with husband Chris Ivery, Pompeo adds: “It’s easy to get lost in the baby. You have to make sure you give your husband attention.”

The 40-year-old Boston native says that, like all mothers, she hopes her six-month-old daughter will grow up to be confident and happy.

“I don’t believe in putting on airs. I call it like I see it. I am who I am, a Southie,” she laughs.

“I hope Stella has more self-confidence than I did as a child. Because when you believe in yourself… you don’t look for validation from others.”

Photo: SELF.