Hilary Swank, 52, reflected on the benefits of being an older mom... months before shock pregnancy announcement

Hilary Swank reflected on being more 'present' and a 'different parent' after having kids later in life, months before announcing her pregnancy news this week.

The 52-year-old actress, who welcomed twins Ohm and Aya with husband Philip Schneider in April 2023, shared that she is pregnant with her third child on social media on Wednesday. 

Late last year in November, the Million Dollar Baby star got candid to Women's Health about becoming a mom in her late 40s.

'I'm a very different parent than I would've been, even in my early 40s,' Swank told the outlet at the time. 

'I'm much more patient. I'm much more understanding. I am much more, I think, interested in a different way than I would've been.' 

Swank added that since her career is already established, she is 'not divided.' 

'I'm able to really sink in and be present with them and be a hands-on parent,' the actress continued. 

The Oscar winner also explained to Women's Health that she would have become a mom earlier, but having children later in life was the 'right time' for her. 

'I'm not saying I actively waited until 47. But that was a magical time in my life, when it all culminated. It was the right time for myriad reasons.'

She additionally discussed freezing her eggs which helped 'take some of the pressure off' when she was ready to grow her family. 

Daily Mail has reached out to reps of Swank for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

Earlier this week on Wednesday, Swank announced that she is pregnant with her third child at the age of 52. 

She took to Instagram to post a cute video with the caption: 'A lot of people have been asking what project I'm doing next, this one releases in December.'

Swank made the joyful announcement by participating in the TikTok dance trend of taping neon glowsticks onto dark clothing to create a glowing stick-figure.

Her husband and two children could be seen participating when the surprise was revealed as there was a small glowstick figure over her belly to reveal the pregnancy.

Swank also expressed that 'things happen in their time, not ours' as she spoke out not long after the latest pregnancy news. 

The star received a number of comments from fans and followers, with some sharing that her pregnancy in her 50s gave them hope. 

One wrote, 'At 39 im still single and childless. You are literally giving me hope that the life I want could still happen for me.'

In response, Swank penned, 'It can! I always go by the adage, things happen in their time, not ours, and that has always been the case for me.

'But of course trusting that, for me, has always been the hardest part. Wishing you unwavering trust and abundant beauty on your journey!'

The star welcomed her three-year-old twins back in April 2023. 

She shared the happy news on Easter Sunday at the time with a heartwarming image of her holding the newborns in her arms while looking out onto a sunset.

'It wasn't easy. But boy (and girl!) was it worth it. Happy Easter! Posting from pure Heaven,' the new mom captioned the touching photo.

The actress, who announced her first pregnancy back in October 2022, looked cozy holding the babies in her arms while wrapped up in a plush white bathrobe.

The twins were the first children for the Alaska Daily producer-star and her second husband who is a 'social venture entrepreneur.'

The actress received an outpouring of support from her over 1 million Instagram followers after announcing the happy news at the time.

In February of this year, she offered fans a rare look into her private world as she posted a photo from the ski slopes with her son Ohm.

Swank won the best actress Academy Award in 2005 for her performance as determined Ozarks waitress-turned-fighter Maggie Fitzgerald in Clint Eastwood's critically-acclaimed boxing drama, which amassed $216.8M at the box office.

Swank and Schneider wed in 2018 and reportedly met on a blind date in November 2016 – five months after she ended her three-month engagement to former tennis pro, Ruben Torres.

In October 2022, the star told Extra why she waited so long to have kids.

'I was having a career and not having the right relationship until … four years ago, and all the elements needed to come together and be right.'

She continued, 'It's just something I thought about even as a young girl. It's something that was on my mind, so it's nice to be here and just be pregnant.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2020, Swank discussed her innate maternal instincts when it came to her loved ones and animals. 

'I feel that I'm very maternal in the people that I care for and all the sentient being I have around me – my dogs, my horses or just the human beings.'

She went on to add: 'Any type of mothering, any type of nurturing, is being a mother.'

The Hollywood mainstay grew up in Washington State until her parents' divorce led to a major move at the age of fifteen.

In order to pursue her dreams of acting, Swank and her mother relocated to California where they initially lived in their car until enough money was saved to afford an apartment.

She worked her way up in the industry, nabbing small roles in television and low-budget films before securing her first lead role in 1994's The Next Karate Kid.

Six years later, Swank would see her career skyrocket onto the A-list with her Oscar-winning performance in Boys Don't Cry.