Rebecca Adlington Opens Up About Fear and Strength in Her Hardest Pregnancy Yet
Right now, there’s a deeply emotional and very human story coming from Olympic swimming legend Rebecca Adlington, and it’s one that goes far beyond medals and podiums. Rebecca has been open about the fact that her latest pregnancy has been the hardest she has ever experienced, not physically, but mentally and emotionally.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist, now 36, is preparing to welcome another child with her husband, Andy Parsons. When the pregnancy was announced back in September, it was described as a moment of being “cautiously overjoyed.” That phrase alone says a lot. The excitement was there, but it was layered with fear, hesitation, and emotional weight shaped by past heartbreak.
Over the last few years, Rebecca has endured two devastating pregnancy losses. In August 2022, she suffered a miscarriage that required emergency surgery. Then, in October 2023, another loss followed when a routine 20-week scan revealed there was no heartbeat. Those experiences changed everything about how this pregnancy has been approached.
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Rebecca shared that this time feels completely different. There haven’t been many photos, no gender reveal, no baby shower. Not because the joy is missing, but because fear has taken its place. She explained that this is what many people describe as a “rainbow pregnancy,” a pregnancy that comes after loss. For those who have been through it, the anxiety can be overwhelming, and joy often feels fragile.
It has been admitted that mentally and emotionally, this pregnancy has been her toughest. After attending a counselling session, Rebecca decided to share what has been helping her cope, hoping it might support others going through something similar. One of the biggest challenges has been comparison. After loss, comparing pregnancies can happen automatically, and it can be damaging. She was encouraged to focus on what makes this pregnancy different, rather than reliving similarities to past pain.
One small but meaningful step was giving the baby a nickname, Jellytot. That simple act helped separate this experience from the daughter she lost and allowed her family to begin bonding in a new way. It was also shared that admitting she was struggling didn’t come easily, but it became an important part of healing.
Rebecca made a powerful point that anxiety and gratitude can exist at the same time. Struggling doesn’t mean she isn’t thankful to be pregnant. It simply means she’s human. Alongside being a public figure and former athlete, she’s also a mother navigating fear, hope, and vulnerability, and her honesty is resonating with many.
Already a mum to son Albie with Andy Parsons, and daughter Summer from a previous marriage, Rebecca’s story right now is one of resilience, quiet strength, and learning to sit with uncertainty while still moving forward.
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