Hayden Panettiere's father insists her pregnancy was planned.

The 'Nashville' actress, 24, is thrilled to be expecting her first child with her fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, 38, because they had been trying to have a baby for a while.

The star's father, Alan Panettiere, told In Touch magazine: ''The pregnancy was definitely planned. Our whole family is very excited [for the baby to arrive].''

The couple, who got engaged earlier this year, hope to get married before the blonde beauty gives birth.

Alan said: ''Their schedules are tight right now. But they're going to work it out.''

The former 'Heroes' actress feels mature for her age and has been longing to start a family for years.

Hayden previously said: ''I've lived a very big life, and I don't feel my age, and I feel like I was born to be a mother.

''Motherhood is the most beautiful, exciting thing, and there's nothing that I feel like I can't accomplish while having children in my life.''