Actress Madeleine West, 45, announces surprise pregnancy with seventh child

Aussie actress Madeleine West has announced she is pregnant with her seventh child.

The 45-year-old former Neighbours star shared the exciting family news in an Instagram post on Tuesday, in which she is seen cradling her baby bump in activewear.

“WHOOPS!” she captioned the post.

“Thought it was #perimenopause. I thought WRONG!

“It’s not too much Christmas pudding either. And I couldn’t be happier.

“Not too sure about the title ‘Geriatric mum’ but here we are, and I’m winding back a little to grow this little surprise package I’ve dubbed. (Baby number 7, couldn’t help myself).

“I don’t have much more to say right now, but I’ve noticed I don’t hear much about older parents. l know you must be out there. Just seems we are invisible.”

Madeleine already shares six children with her former husband, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, 49 — Phoenix, 19, Hendrix, 16, Xascha, 14, Xanthe, 12, and twins Xalia and Margaux, 10.

The overjoyed expectant mother then asked for tips from her followers on social media.

“So if you’re expecting later than expected, and tackling early in your 40s or 50s, I’d LOVE hear your stories,” she asked.

“I’d love any tips you care to share. Like how the heck do you get all the #baby paraphernalia together again after you’ve given it all away????

“There’s a terrifying new world of contraptions out there and I don’t know where to start!! HELP!!!”

A number of West’s followers congratulated her on the exciting news.

“Just beautiful,” Megan Gale said.

“Congrats!! 007 love it!” Tim Robards wrote.

“Amazing mama! I had 2&3 (twins) at 42. We are out here living our best lives,” another added.

The actress was most recently romantically linked to environmentalist Maximo Bottaro, but it is unclear if the pair are still involved together.

The actress split from ex-husband Bennett in 2018.