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'OITNB's Danielle Brooks Casually Revealed How Far Along She Is With Baby #1

by Brianna Wiest

The show that made her famous, Orange Is The New Black, might be coming to an end, but some of its biggest breakout stars are looking forward to their next chapter. On Tuesday, the beloved star behind Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson on the hit Netflix series just announced she'll be a mom in just a few short months. But when exactly is Danielle Brooks due to deliver her first child? Thankfully, not much investigation is needed, as the actress revealed that exciting detail within her pregnancy announcement on Instagram.

"So elated to finally share this news with you all. I’m happily pregnant!" Brooks shared on an Instagram post of herself holding a positive ClearBlue pregnancy test on July 2. According to her hashtags, it appears that she is a partner with the company.

Fans and fellow celebs quickly flooded to her comments section to share their excitement for the expectant mama. "Whoa whoa!!! Congratulations!!!" Orange Is The New Black co-star Uzo Aduba wrote. "Omg girl I got chills!! So happy for you baby girl. Congratulations," another former OITNB cast mate Jackie Cruz commented.

Brooks then posted another update on her IG Story, not only sharing another confirmation of the news, but exactly how far she is along in her pregnancy.

“When one chapter ends, another begins. Super excited to share with you my new beginning. I’M PREGNANT. Counting my blessings," she wrote alongside a photo of herself, showing off her bump. She then added: “5 months in!” confirming that she is actually just over halfway through her pregnancy, meaning she's likely due sometime in November 2019. A fall baby!

Her reveal timing makes sense, as most women typically wait at least three months before announcing their pregnancies, according to Parents, particularly those who are public figures. However, many women follow this guideline, given that the rate of miscarriage significantly reduces by the second trimester.

While Brooks certainly does not have to address or ever reveal who the father of her child is, many are likely curious about her love life, especially as she prepares to enter parenthood. But it seems that the 29-year-old actress has opted to keep a lot of her personal life out of the spotlight, which is understandable when you're someone in the public eye and people may scrutinize every move you make.

And although she has yet to confirm her relationship status, according to People, Brooks has posted sporadically about her "mystery beau," an individual whom she has only referenced by an initial. For instance, on Valentine's Day, she shared a photo of herself with a man she only referred to as her "partner" and "D," writing:

True love is when your partner agrees to wear a hairnet to ride go-carts. Love you D.

Hopefully Brooks will share more updates about her pregnancy in the weeks and months to come, but it definitely seems she's in an incredible place in her life, and clearly on the breakthrough of an entirely new chapter.

Congratulations to the mama to be!