When Olivia Bowen, a former Love Island contestant, and her husband Alex Bowen announced the arrival of their second child on August 18, 2025, the news felt like a tiny miracle.
Born in the United Kingdom, the baby girl—named Siena Bowen—joined big brother Abel Jacob, who turned three in June. The couple’s Instagram post showed the whole family, but behind the smiling photos lay a harrowing delivery that, according to The Tab, could have cost Olivia her life.
Background: From Love Island to Parenthood
Olivia and Alex first crossed paths on the 2016 season of ITV2’s Love Island, where they finished runners‑up and quickly became one of the show’s few lasting couples. Their romance survived the usual reality‑TV churn, culminating in a September 2018 wedding on British soil. Since then, they’ve paraded their lives across multiple platforms—most notably with the TLC series Olivia and Alex: Happily Ever After and a steady stream of Instagram updates that keep fans in the loop.
Even before the newest addition, the pair had already turned their love story into a brand. Their partnership with ITV’s reality‑TV arm landed them a stretch of sponsorship deals and, in early 2025, they hinted at a new project that would chronicle the next chapter of their lives.
The Birth of Siena: A Near‑Fatal Delivery
On the morning of August 18, the Bowens were at a hospital somewhere in England—specifics have been kept private—but what happened inside those walls was anything but ordinary. The Tab reported that Olivia faced a sudden, life‑threatening complication that required immediate medical intervention. While the exact nature of the emergency wasn’t disclosed, doctors managed to stabilize her, and Siena was delivered safely.
Olivia’s own Instagram caption summed up the roller‑coaster feeling: “I can’t even find the words other than to say our beautiful girl Siena is here, and we are all bursting with love. It wasn’t an easy ride but every second worth it a thousand times over. I love my babies.” The post instantly racked up thousands of likes and a flood of supportive comments from fellow reality stars.
Victoria “Vicky” Pattison, known from Geordie Shore, was among the first to comment, writing, “Congrats babes! So happy for you both 💕.” Love Island alumni Shaughna Phillips and Molly Smith chimed in with similar sentiments, turning the announcement into a miniature social‑media celebration.
Vanishing Twin Syndrome: The Earlier Heartbreak
Just months earlier, the Bowens had endured a different kind of heartbreak. In February 2025 they revealed they were expecting twins. The excitement turned bittersweet when the couple appeared on ITV’s daytime show Loose WomenLondon on March 15 to discuss a diagnosis of vanishing twin syndrome (VTS). Olivia explained, “We were expecting to have these two little babies, but vanishing twin syndrome… they can literally just vanish.”
VTS occurs when one embryo in a multiple pregnancy stops developing and is reabsorbed. Medical literature estimates it affects roughly 21‑30 % of such pregnancies. For the Bowens, the loss of the second fetus was an emotional shock, but they chose to share their experience publicly, hoping to raise awareness about a condition most expectant parents never hear of until it happens.That candidness later added emotional weight to Siena’s birth story, reminding fans that the joy of new life can be shadowed by the memory of loss.
New Reality Series: “Olivia and Alex: Parenthood”
Just 17 days before Siena’s debut, ITV announced on August 1 that it had greenlit a new reality series titled Olivia and Alex: Parenthood. Produced by ITV Studios for broadcast on ITV2 and streaming on ITVX, the show promises “intimate access to the couple’s real‑life journey as they grow their young family from three to four, whilst dealing with the emotional aftermath of losing one of their twins.”ITV The press release highlighted that the series would blend day‑to‑day parenting moments with deeper reflections on grief and resilience.
While a premiere date has yet to be confirmed, industry insiders expect the first episode to roll out in late 2025, positioning the Bowens at the centre of Britain’s reality‑TV conversation once again. The show will likely feature behind‑the‑scenes footage of Siena’s early weeks, offering viewers a glimpse into how the family copes with the lingering shadow of VTS while celebrating the new arrival.
Reactions and Public Impact
The Bowens’ openness about their pregnancy complications has sparked a measurable uptick in online searches for “vanishing twin syndrome” and “pregnancy emergency.” Health‑counseling charities reported a slight increase in calls from expectant mothers seeking information about the condition after the March interview aired.
Media outlet The Tab ran a feature calling the delivery “a stark reminder that childbirth remains risky, even for high‑profile figures with access to top‑tier medical care.” Meanwhile, fan forums across Instagram and Twitter lit up with supportive memes, many portraying Siena as a tiny superhero—an image that resonates with the couple’s narrative of triumph over adversity.
What Lies Ahead
Beyond the upcoming series, the Bowens have hinted at future projects, including a possible children's book inspired by Siena’s name. Alex, who has been quietly developing his own brand collaborations, may also leverage the renewed spotlight to launch a line of parenting gear.
For now, though, the priority seems simple: enjoy the moment. Olivia’s later Instagram stories showed her cradling Siena, whispering “you’re safe now,” while Abel toddled around, oblivious to the drama that surrounded his sister’s entrance into the world.
- Key Fact 1: Siena Bowen was born on August 18, 2025, after a delivery that threatened Olivia’s life.
- Key Fact 2: The family previously suffered a loss due to vanishing twin syndrome, disclosed on March 15, 2025.
- Key Fact 3: ITV approved a new series, Olivia and Alex: Parenthood, in early August 2025.
- Key Fact 4: Public awareness of VTS spiked following the couple’s candid interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Bowens’ experience affect other expectant parents?
Their public discussion of vanishing twin syndrome and a near‑fatal delivery has prompted many couples to seek early ultrasounds and ask doctors about potential complications, increasing awareness and early detection.
When is the "Olivia and Alex: Parenthood" series expected to air?
Industry sources suggest a late‑2025 launch on ITV2, with episodes also available on the streaming service ITVX. The exact premiere date has not been officially announced.
What is vanishing twin syndrome and how common is it?
Vanishing twin syndrome occurs when one embryo in a multiple pregnancy stops developing and is reabsorbed. Medical studies estimate it affects roughly 21‑30 % of twin or higher-order pregnancies.
Who else from the reality‑TV world reacted to Siena’s birth?
Stars like Vicky Pattison, Shaughna Phillips, and Molly Smith left congratulatory messages on Instagram, while several former Love Island contestants shared supportive posts, turning the announcement into a mini‑celebration across social media.
What future projects might the Bowens pursue?
Beyond the upcoming series, Alex Bowen has hinted at brand collaborations, and the couple may explore a children’s book or parenting‑product line inspired by Siena’s story.