Rebecca Adlington has announced the amazing news she is expecting a baby with her partner. The former Olympic swimmer shared the family update on Instagram with her 175,000 followers. Rebecca, who already has two children will be welcoming her third next year.
She shares son Albie, two, with husband Andy Parsons as well as daughter Summer, eight, from her previous marriage with ex-husband Harry Needs. The news of the pregnancy comes after Rebecca suffered two miscarriages in 2022 and 2023. On social media, the mum-of-two described the ’emotional rollercoaster’ of the past nineteen months.
A photo showing three pregnancy scans was captioned: “We want to share that we are expecting a child. It has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster navigating these past 19 months of trying, but this pregnancy has been a small miracle.
“We questioned whether we wanted to share this news but we want to continue to be open and honest about our journey and be mindful of the struggles that others have had and continue to have.”She continued her heartfelt message: “We are taking each day as it comes and are incredibly grateful for the care we are receiving from the NHS (Rainbow Team) and are feeling overwhelmingly supported by them.”While we are cautiously overjoyed, we carry awareness of the quiet struggles many face, and we send love to those hearts too. We know so many people are still waiting for this kind of news.”
After the exciting update, friends, family and fans sent messages of congratulations to Rebecca and her partner Andy Parsons. Former athlete Dame Kelly Holmes posted: “Oh fantastic, thanks for sharing and I am sure your journeys highs and lows help so many but at the same time you know how much love is given your way. Much love.”
TV presenter Holly Hamilton commented: “Ah guys… I’m so so happy for you all, gentle congratulations and wishing you all the strength to enjoy this pregnancy as much as possible. Sending so much love from over the water.”
Olympic gold medal winning hockey player, Sam Quek, posted: “Beautiful news guys, Congratulations. Big love”, alongside a rainbow emoji.
Swimmer, Michael Gunning, responded to the post: “Love you guys! You’ve been so brave in sharing your story and I admire you so much! Take each magical day at a time, I’m so happy for you.”
Rebecca and Andy met on dating app Bumble in 2018, two years after the swimmer split from her ex husband Harry. Andy works as a facilities manager, previously working as a sales assistant at Disneyland Paris and a project manager at a property management company.
Andy moved from Liverpool to live with Becky in Manchester in 2019. Rebecca and Andy then went on to welcome their own child in March 2021, son Albie Bennett Parsons. Five months later, they tied the knot with an intimate ceremony in Cheshire in August with 80 guests.
The 36-year-old lost her daughter, Harper, after she suffered a miscarriage in October 2023. Rebecca lost another child at 12 weeks in 2022.
Rebecca was emotional as she spoke about the experience on an episode of Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast. She said: “To have to give birth. I thought that was so cruel. It was a horrible three days. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare. It was just horrid.”
Rebecca was supported by her husband Andy as she spoke about how they processed the tragic news. She said: “We did hold her. We had quite a lot of time with her because it just felt right. They put a little hat on her and a little blanket.
“It was just like she was asleep. It was the most painful, horrible thing to ever happen but it was done in a really sensitive, beautiful way, which I know some people are not lucky enough for, so I’m grateful for that support that was there in the worst of times.”