Soap opera favourites Nikki Sanderson and Anthony Quinlan have opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of their two-year journey to pregnancy, revealing they had begun exploring IVF before receiving their joyful news.
A Long-Awaited Positive Test
The couple, both 41, described a mix of elation and anxiety when they finally saw a positive pregnancy test at their home in North Manchester. Nikki Sanderson, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, said she was "on cloud nine" but immediately worried about things going wrong. Her partner, former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan, admitted they held back from full celebration, conscious of potential difficulties, especially in the first trimester.
The pregnancy came as a surprise, with Nikki already four to five weeks along without any typical symptoms like nausea. "We were just carrying on with life. We even competed in a fitness competition together," she explained. It was only a missed period that prompted the test.
The Struggle to Conceive and IVF Steps
The actors candidly discussed the significant challenges they faced over two years of trying to conceive. Anthony revealed they had become "resigned to the fact that we may need assistance via IVF" and had taken the initial steps towards fertility treatment. This history made the positive result a shock. "Because we’d had a few times where it wasn’t the result we wanted, it was like, ‘Is this for real?’" he said.
Nikki acknowledged the toll the process takes, stating, "We’ve had a lot of ups and downs... and it’s been really hard on us." She praised their strong partnership, calling them a "team" who had each other's backs through the mental, emotional, and physical strains.
Planning for the Future and Pregnancy Challenges
Early in their relationship, Nikki made the decision to freeze her eggs, a conversation she was anxious to have with Anthony after only a few months of dating. He fully supported the idea. Now expecting, Nikki is due in the spring but is keeping the exact date private to avoid pressure.
The pregnancy has not been without difficulty. Nikki described the first 14 to 16 weeks as "pretty difficult," battling nausea, extreme exhaustion, and undergoing emergency scans due to bleeding. She is also classed as a high-risk pregnancy due to her age and other medical factors, and plans to give birth in a hospital for safety.
The couple have decided to find out their baby's gender, having warmed to the idea as the pregnancy progressed. They plan to have the scan results sealed in an envelope to open privately or with loved ones. While they find girls' names easier, they have yet to settle on one and will decide after the birth.
As they prepare for parenthood, Anthony speaks of the "overwhelming" love he already feels. "It’s crazy how you can love something so much that isn’t even present in the world properly yet," he said. The couple have begun buying baby clothes, including a babygrow that says 'milking it,' and Anthony plans to buy his child the new Manchester United kit in June.
