Nicole Richie's motherhood worries

Sep 23, 2007, 7:00 GMT

Nicole Richie poses on the red carpet at the Fourth Annual Fashion Rocks Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, USA, 06 September 2007. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Nicole Richie is reportedly terrified she won't be able to cope with motherhood.

The 'Simple Life' star, who is expecting her first baby with fiancé Joel Madden, is said to be concerned her pampered Hollywood upbringing hasn't properly prepared her for the demands of being a parent.

A source said: "Her major concern is whether she can cope. Nicole has spent most of her life, since her early teens, partying, making big money in TV and being treated as a celebrity. Now she's got to open up to the most important person in her life - her baby."

Nicole - who is the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie - was a wild teenager and was treated for heroin addiction before she reached 20.

Earlier this week, Joel revealed he and Nicole were not going to find out the sex of their baby because they want it to be a surprise.

He said: "We are waiting to find out if it is a boy or a girl. We don't even know. So right now it's an 'it', which sounds wrong. We call it 'the baby'. When we talk to it, it's 'you'.

"I'm excited. It's the best thing that has ever happened to us. It's awesome.

"The baby has started kicking and I've already gone out and bought a stroller and a playpen for the nursery."

Joel, 28, and Nicole, 25, have been together since early this year, and announced in July they were expecting their first child.

(C) BANG Media International