There will be a new addition to the Spears/Federline family

Pop star Britney Spears has confirmed she is pregnant with her first child, following weeks of intense speculation.

She broke the news on her official website, but played down reports she had been admitted to hospital.

"The time has finally come to share our wonderful news that we are expecting our first child together," she and husband Kevin Federline wrote.

Spears, 23, married dancer Federline, 27, in September 2004 after they had been together for just six months.

In the website message Spears added: "There are reports that I was in the hospital this weekend, Kevin and I just want everyone to know that all is well.

"Thank you for your thoughts and prayers," she said.

Spears revealed no further details about her condition, but reports say she is between three and four months pregnant.

The announcement comes weeks after Spears lashed out at US tabloid magazines which she called "false" and "desperate" for speculating that she was pregnant and her marriage already in trouble.

Although this will be Spears' first child, it will be Federline's third.

He has two children by his ex-girlfriend, actress Shar Jackson, one of which was born after he and Spears started going out together.

Following her marriage, the singer said she was going to take time off to "chill out", but she has hardly been out of the limelight and is now working on her own reality TV about life in the Spears/Federline household.

It is not yet known whether her pregnancy will affect the planned show, which is expected to feature home footage of the couple, including their wedding day.

Bookmakers have already opened odds on the baby's name, with William and Harry at joint 20-1 favourites for a boy with the same odds for Zara or Grace for a girl.

(BBC)

pregnant: carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life（懷孕的）