Odelya Halevi, known for her role as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun in the iconic series *Law & Order*, is set to embrace motherhood as she and her husband, Aaron Mazor, prepare for the arrival of their first child, a baby girl, due in December. The actress, 37, shared the joyful news with PEOPLE, revealing her heartfelt anticipation for this new chapter in her life.
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Reflecting on the moment she discovered her pregnancy, Halevi recounted, “I found out I was pregnant the traditional way — peeing on a stick.” This pivotal moment took place just after filming wrapped on the show’s 25th season, and she noted that there were subtle signs leading up to the revelation. “I had been indulging in chocolate at the producers’ office, which is very unlike me,” she recounted. “It all clicked when I realised something was different.”
While Halevi is thrilled about her impending motherhood, she admits that the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy has surprised her. “The intensity of my emotions has been overwhelming,” she explained. “I barely recognised myself, like I had developed a split personality.” This emotional upheaval coincided with the couple moving into a newly renovated apartment, which Halevi had eagerly anticipated. However, she found herself unexpectedly repulsed by the space that she had once adored.
She described a poignant moment during this transition when a plant she had nurtured for four years was accidentally damaged by movers. “I cried hysterically, as if I had lost a family member,” Halevi recalled. In her characteristic blend of humour and sincerity, she later laughed at her dramatic reaction, yet acknowledged that it took her a significant time to recover from what seemed like a trivial loss.
Initially, Halevi believed she wasn’t experiencing any particular food cravings, but as her pregnancy progressed, she began to notice a shift in her dietary preferences. “I thought I was just enjoying my favourite foods more,” she said. “However, one night, I realised I was eagerly anticipating my breakfast of oatmeal with date syrup and banana before I’d even fallen asleep—something I never liked pre-pregnancy.”
One of the most cherished moments for Halevi has been sharing the pregnancy news with her husband, an experience she described as deeply intimate. “We both wanted this so badly, and I remember shaking with excitement,” she shared, recalling the tenderness of that special moment. Recently, she felt her daughter kick for the first time, a sensation she described as transformative. “Knowing there’s this little life growing inside me creates a bond unlike anything I’ve ever known.”
As Halevi contemplates the upcoming months, her eagerness to meet her daughter is palpable. “I can’t wait to finally see her face and discover who she looks like, as well as to experience her distinct personality,” she said, reflecting on her dreams of motherhood. “I already feel like I know her in some ways.”
Looking ahead, Halevi humorously noted the physical changes that come with pregnancy, expressing her longing for the simple pleasure of breath without constraint and the challenge of getting off the couch in one go. “But these challenges remind me of why this journey is worthwhile,” she added.
With the countdown to December underway, Halevi embodies the joyful anticipation characteristic of soon-to-be parents, looking forward to the joys and challenges ahead as she and Mazor embark on their new adventure as a family of three.