Tina Malone had a Cesarean section, which she reportedly "breezed through".
The 50-year-old actress gave birth to daughter Flame three weeks ago and feels "privileged" to not be struggling to cope with the tot after undergoing such major surgery, especially as people expected her to find things tough because of her age.
She said: "I was a fat old bird and I got healthy for it all and I've proved the critics wrong. She's healthy and beautiful and perfect thank God, and I know it's early days and she's only three weeks old but I breezed through it - I know there are girls half my age doubled up with a Cesarean ... I just feel privileged and charmed and so lucky to have her."
The former 'Shameless' star also admitted the name she and husband Paul Chase chose for their daughter has divided opinion.
She said: "People love or hate the name!"
The couple underwent in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to have a child, and the actress - who fell pregnant with twins but tragically lost one of the babies in the summer - thinks more older women should be encouraged to do the same.
She said: "I'm not saying run out at 50 and get pregnant, but what I'm saying is, we should encourage debate on older women who are now more successful in the work place, more educated, making better choices with men and relationships and why shouldn't you have the opportunity in your early forties to go for IVF whether it's your own eggs or egg donation ... I know it's not always successful, but you can only take your own experience and I'm blessed."
Tagged in Tina Malone