EXCLUSIVE: Made in Chelsea star Emily Blackwell has spoken out about her difficult time since giving birth ten weeks early on 4 November to her miracle baby girl, Eva
Emily Blackwell, one of the stars of Made In Chelsea, had her world turned upside down when her daughter Eva arrived 10 weeks premature last November. Her dreams of motherhood became a reality beset by the toughest of challenges as Emily and her fiancé, Jordan Alexander Oldershaw, endured a heart-wrenching two months in neonatal intensive care with their newborn.
“Having a baby preterm is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” Emily confessed during an exclusive heart-to-heart with OK! at Bohomoon’s wellness event hosted at FLOW Reformer Pilates studio. But thankfully, the couple were finally able to bring their “miracle” baby girl home. Emily, 29, candidly shares her harrowing journey into motherhood, and lifts. the lid on when she and Jordan, 33, plan to say ‘I do’…
Hi, Emily. You’ve had such a difficult time since giving birth. What was it like for you?
It’s been a unique and strange experience. Having a baby at preterm is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. She was 10-and-a-half weeks early, so it was really scary. It’s been a journey, but it has a happy ending. It was such a nerve-wracking time, we didn’t know what was going to happen and we’re just so grateful that she’s healthy and OK.
What went through your mind when you were told you had to give birth so early?
Being completely honest, I wasn’t really thinking about anything. I was just so scared. Jordan was doing the talking and I was just, sort of, there. It happened so quickly. I didn’t even have time to process anything until after. I was just hoping she was going to come out OK. Jordan has been amazing throughout. I just couldn’t have done it without him.
How was the actual labour?
The birth was actually really quick and went really well. It wasn’t part of my plan whatsoever – it was quite the opposite! But I had a natural birth and it all happened in two hours. It was quick and I recovered pretty quickly, so it made it easier because it gave me the opportunity to breastfeed, pump my milk and be able to walk around the neonatal unit. It’s better for the baby that Jordan and I were feeling strong.
Do you think this experience has changed you as a person?
Absolutely, it’s definitely made me stronger and has changed me. I’ve met so many people on different journeys in the hospital unit and it makes you realise that everyone has something going on and has a story. Even the people working there and doing 12-hour shifts to look after me and Eva, they’re just incredible. It’s made me more grateful. Sometimes you think, ‘Oh that won’t happen to me,’ but sometimes it does and it changes the way you look at life.
How are you settling into life as a mum?
I love it. I always wanted to be a mum. I know it sounds clichéd but I feel like I was born to be a mum, it’s the best thing ever. She just fits into my life and it’s weird to think that she was never in my life before. I do get more worried because Eva was born preterm. You have a major adjustment from hospital life where the nurses are there helping you, to home life and not having that support system. You just have to adjust. One thing I’ll say about having a baby that’s been in the neonatal unit is you can literally hoover under them and they won’t wake up! They love noise and are so used to it.
Has the experience made you worried about having more children?
It’s not put me off, I still want more. But I think I will definitely have that extra little bit of anxiety. They do say that it can happen again – the chances are higher if you’ve given birth to a baby preterm the first time. So, they’ll just have to monitor me. You and Jordan are engaged too.
You got engaged last August. Have you had any time for wedding planning?
I need to do some! We’re planning on getting married in 2026, so I’ve got a bit of time. It would have been too much doing it this year. There’s too much going on. I’m so excited to be a wife. Eva will be a little flower girl too, which is lovely. My main focus for our wedding is to have fun. I just want it to be enjoyable – I don’t want to stress about it. I just want it to be a celebration and not a big wedding.
You’ve just had a yoga session here with Bohomoon. Is it nice to have some ‘me time’?
Yes! This is my first workout since giving birth which is lovely. It’s so difficult to find time to do anything. Luckily, Jordan’s mum and my mum are both really good and will look after Eva for a couple of hours if I need to pop out. So we’ve got a good support system. It’s been really nice to get out and get some wellness in. And Bohomoon’s jewellery is really cute! I love to mix silver and gold and it’s great you can wear it while working out because it’s sweat proof.