Alex and Olivia Bowen are overjoyed as they introduce their six-week-old daughter, Siena Grace, calling their family of four “complete.”
Sharing their first exclusive interview since her birth, the couple, already parents to three-year-old Abel, openly express their love for their newest addition.
Siena was born just after midnight on 14 August, weighing 7lb 12oz, but Olivia faced a serious haemorrhage and recalls struggling to stay awake and fight for her life.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” the 31-year-old says, cradling Siena. “We’ve had time to process it, and I’m at peace. I wanted a homebirth, but, spoiler alert, that didn’t happen!”
Siena’s arrival came after a challenging pregnancy. Initially expecting twins, the couple learned early on that one baby had been lost to “vanishing twin syndrome,” making the pregnancy emotionally fraught.
Determined to have a positive birth experience after a difficult forceps delivery with Abel, Olivia focused on creating a better story with Siena’s arrival.
Labour at the couple’s Essex home didn’t go as planned, and Olivia had to undergo an emergency Caesarean section. “I was lying on the operating table, completely unsure of what was happening,” she recalls.
Then I heard Siena crying she was fine, which is exactly what you want. But suddenly everything went quiet, and I couldn’t see what was happening. Alex and I feared the worst when I heard a siren and the words, ‘severe haemorrhage.’
I just remember thinking, ‘I need to stay awake,’ because I felt myself fading. That was likely the scariest moment of my life. I’d never faced a situation where I truly feared for my life. Later, I found out I’d lost 2.8 litres of blood knowing that three litres can be fatal.
Alex prefers not to dwell on what he witnessed during the births. The 34-year-old stayed “as positive as he could” at the time, but says he’d rather never discuss either delivery again due to the trauma he and Olivia endured—and confirms any plans for more children are off the table.
“I’m not going to sugar-coat it,” he admits. “Both births were really traumatic. People often say it’s the most beautiful thing ever, but for us, it hasn’t been. We’re definitely two and done. All I care about now is that Liv and the babies are safe. I don’t want to focus on why or how it happened.”
Despite the ordeal, Olivia hopes sharing her story will give a “shout out to all blood donors” and thank hospital staff, while also highlighting some positive aspects.
Having faced postnatal anxiety after Abel’s birth and undergoing therapy “for quite a while,” Olivia approached Siena’s arrival determined to feel more empowered. She researched homebirths extensively and says that knowledge proved invaluable.
Olivia reflected on her birth experience, saying, “It taught me to make my own decisions, so I don’t feel guilty or think I messed up. I did my best, Siena is safe, and that’s what matters.”
Fans of Alex and Olivia’s upcoming six-part ITV2 reality series, Olivia & Alex: Parenthood, will see more of Siena’s birth and her heartwarming introduction to big brother Abel, who delivered homemade cupcakes to celebrate.
Olivia recalls touching moments: “Being in labour in his bedroom with Abel breathing through a contraction with me it was so sweet. I also have a photo of Alex and me staring at each other during a contraction; looking into his eyes got me through the pain.”
Olivia adds, “Our family is 100% complete. I couldn’t be happier—having a little girl and a little boy is honestly what dreams are made of.”
The couple began filming in June, keeping a candid, warts-and-all approach. Olivia laughs that they’re a bit “out of practice” in front of the cameras, but calls the experience a “dream come true.”
“Life has changed so much since Love Island,” she continues. “We’re now a family of four. Despite some difficult times, we always find the light, and I hope our story inspires others to do the same.”
Losing Siena’s twin marked Alex’s second major heartbreak. In 2022, his friend Joe Richards tragically took his own life, motivating Alex to champion men’s mental health and challenge the stigma around male suicide, including through work with the Samaritans.
He admits he’s always been open about his emotions. “I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I’m happy, you’ll know; if I’m sad, you’ll know. Not every man is like that. Losing my best friend was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced, and having a platform, I felt I needed to speak up. There’s no stigma around men talking about their feelings I’m living proof.”
Olivia and Alex are one of Love Island ’s biggest success stories. And while a lot has changed, they’re still the “same people, just with a few more wrinkles”, Alex grins.
When asked about avoiding the reality show curse, Alex explains, “Liv and I aren’t quitters. Many couples give up it’s easy to check if the grass is greener elsewhere. But we’re meant to be together. Sure, there have been times she’s been fed up with me, but we’ve always put in the work.”
Olivia explains, “We got married because we want to be together for life. Do we argue? Of course. But we always want to work through problems. That’s why we’ve shared everything in the show – we’re a normal couple focusing on what matters.”
On including Abel and Siena, she adds, “The world and social media can be scary, but we won’t let that stop us living our lives. While they’re young, we’ll protect them, but if either of them ever feels unhappy with it, we’ll stop immediately.”
Olivia beams about the growing bond between her children, calling Abel, born in June 2022, an “amazing big brother” who’s always ready to help.
She reflects on the twin they lost, saying, “It’s still sad to think about, but I try to cherish the memory. We’ll never forget them.” Despite the grief, she adds that she couldn’t be happier with Siena and Abel.