Knockout! Olympic ace Nicola and girlfriend expecting an IVF baby
FORMER boxer Nicola Adams announced yesterday that her girlfriend Ella Baig is expecting their baby.
The couple shared the news with fans on Twitter and Instagram, with a photo of the couple kissing and an ultrasound scan.
Miss Adams, who was the first woman to win a boxing Olympic gold medal, revealed they had begun trying for a baby in 2019 using IVF treatment.
The 39-year-old revealed that her girlfriend had used one of her eggs she had frozen.
Miss Adams, who used to worry about the difficulties of having a child in a same-sex relationship, told Vogue: ‘We decided that Ella would carry the baby, that we’d use my egg, and find a sperm donor that resembled Ella.
‘The main hurdle was not knowing as much about IVF as we do now – about the tests that needed to be done and the things to look out for which can affect the pregnancy.’
She revealed their first two rounds of IVF treatment failed and Miss Baig, 23, also had a miscarriage after suffering from an undiagnosed underactive thyroid.
‘I was really upset,’ Miss Adams said. ‘Of course, we knew that there was a chance of it being unsuccessful, but it’s hard to see those two lines on a pregnancy test and feel elated before having that ripped from you just a few weeks later.
‘I was also more upset for Ella as she was the one going through the process physically. You don’t really know what to say or do – you just have to be supportive.’
They began the process again once Miss Baig’s thyroid levels had reached a safe level.
A few months ago, the couple found out she was pregnant and Miss Baig, who is a beauty blogger, is now in her second trimester.
Miss Adams said: ‘I’m so happy, but it’s also been emotional. We were worried about getting too excited because we’d miscarried before, but I think it’s really important that we try to enjoy it rather than dwelling on what could go wrong.
‘It feels even more real now that Ella is beginning to show.’
She and Miss Baig shared the happy news, writing: ‘After what feels like a lifetime, we can finally say we’re going to be parents!
‘We’re so excited to share this magical journey with you all, the ups, the downs [and] everything in between. Welcome to the world little one.’
The Olympian – who was part of Strictly Come Dancing’s first samesex pairing in 2020 with professional Katya Jones – has said that she believes there is still a ‘stigma’ attached to the IVF process and a lack of parenting books for same-sex families and she is determined to share her experiences.
‘The information is out there but we really had to dig for it,’ she added. ‘It shouldn’t be this hard to access. We hope that at least one person finds solace in our story.
‘If you’re a same-sex couple going through this chapter of your lives, know that you’re not alone.’
Miss Adams started dating Miss Baig in 2018 and the couple are already planning for more children in the future. The sportswoman, who won gold at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, said: ‘Next time around, I think the process will be a lot easier for us. And, as for the baby that’s on the way, we’ll have so much to tell them when they grow up. We’ll say, “You have no idea how much we wanted you!” ’
‘Two failed rounds and a miscarriage’