Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington proudly displayed her growing baby bump as she attended a special baby event in Cheshire alongside her husband, Andy Parsons. The 36-year-old swimming star, who announced her pregnancy in September following two heartbreaking miscarriages, joined other expectant celebrities for the Mum and Me App gathering on Thursday.
A Different Kind of Pregnancy Journey
Rebecca, who already shares two-year-old son Albie with Andy and eight-year-old daughter Summer from her previous marriage, has been remarkably open about the emotional complexities of this pregnancy. She recently described it as "completely different" from her previous experiences, marked by heightened fear and caution rather than public celebration.
Fashion and Family Support
At the Cheshire event, the former athlete showcased her bump in a striking red and pink leopard print midi-dress, layered with a black jacket and comfortable trainers. Andy Parsons complemented her look with a smart grey coat, navy zip-up sweater, and chinos, showing united support for his wife during this significant chapter.
The Emotional Weight of Rainbow Pregnancy
In a heartfelt social media post last month, Rebecca revealed she has sought counselling through the Petals Charity to navigate what she calls her "hardest pregnancy" mentally and emotionally. She explained that while she remains grateful, the shadow of previous losses has made this journey particularly challenging.
"This pregnancy has been completely different," she wrote alongside a selfie cradling her bump. "Not many photos, no gender reveal, no baby shower. This isn’t because I’m not excited, it’s because I’m fearful. Anyone who’s had a rainbow pregnancy will likely understand."
Coping Strategies and Family Bonding
The BBC Sports presenter shared practical strategies that have helped her cope, including consciously avoiding comparisons between this pregnancy and her miscarriages. She and Andy have given their unborn child the nickname "Jellytot," which she says has helped the family bond without constant reminders of their lost daughter, Harper.
"I’ve really tried hard recently to not compare," Rebecca explained. "After loss, comparison can feel automatic. I was encouraged to focus on the differences between this pregnancy and our miscarriages, rather than the similarities."
A Journey Marked by Loss and Hope
Rebecca's path to this pregnancy has been particularly difficult. She suffered her first miscarriage at 12 weeks in 2022, which was diagnosed as a molar pregnancy requiring emergency surgery. The following year brought even greater devastation when she learned at her 20-week scan that she had lost the baby, subsequently giving birth to her daughter Harper.
In her September pregnancy announcement, which she described as sharing news of a "small miracle," Rebecca acknowledged both her cautious joy and awareness of others still struggling with fertility challenges. She expressed particular gratitude for the support received from NHS Rainbow Teams, specialist services that care for women pregnant after loss.
Breaking the Silence on Pregnancy Loss
Rebecca and Andy have been vocal advocates for opening conversations about miscarriage and pregnancy loss. In an August appearance on This Morning, they spoke candidly about their experiences, with Rebecca revealing how her second miscarriage left her "hating her body" when physical signs of pregnancy remained after her loss.
"It took me a long time to admit I’m struggling," she recently shared, "but learnt it's ok to admit it's hard. Being anxious and struggling doesn’t take away from how grateful I am to be pregnant, it just means I'm human."
Through her openness about counselling, emotional challenges, and practical coping mechanisms, Rebecca continues to provide support and visibility for others navigating similar journeys of hope after loss.
