Ola and James Jordan open up about their 'heartbreaking' fertility struggles

They're now expecting their first baby!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 19th Sep 2019

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ola and James Jordan recently announced that they're expecting their first baby together! The couple, who got married in 2003, are currently 14-weeks-pregnant after undergoing IVF treatment, something the pair have been very open and honest about.

In an interview on Loose Women earlier today, Ola and James spoke out about raising awareness and reducing any stigma around IVF, and revealed that talking about it actually helped them on their own journey.

Ola explained how they'd struggled with fertility problems to start with, "When we decided to have children, it didn’t quite happen. It was heartbreaking. We always wanted to have children when we met."

She also revealed the heartbreak of starting to go through IVF and looking pregnant before she actually was, "It is really hard. You inject yourself every evening. You’re swollen even before you get pregnant.

"We had journalists saying, 'She hasn’t been drinking and she’s really swollen on the belly, she’s pregnant'. Actually, I’m going through fertility treatment, I was already quite swollen on the belly, so that’s quite hard."

James added that although they understood it didn't "come from a bad place", it was still hard for the couple to constantly be asked, "It was quite upsetting when you know you’re actively trying to get pregnant and you’re not.

"That’s why in the end we did the IVF story saying we can’t get pregnant. No one asked, our family, our friends, everyone gave us that respect that they didn’t ask. A lot of people don’t speak out – but it helped us by speaking out."

Ola opened up about the challenges that IVF treatment brings, "It’s really hard mentally more than physically. The injections didn’t bother me. The whole waiting game..." with James adding, "We have been so lucky – first go."

She also opened up about the moment she discovered she was pregnant, "I cried, I was over the moon. The thing is with IVF, because we couldn’t get pregnant for a long time, you don’t believe it. You’re like is it OK, is it normal. I waited for him to get home and I gave him the test because I couldn’t actually tell him. I couldn’t say it, I was so upset, so happy."

James added, "Amazing, I felt amazing. It’s a very special thing. But at the beginning I didn’t want to get too excited because I know lots of things can still happen. I was trying to be realistic. I didn’t want to get too disappointed. I’m like that in life in general."

He also said that he'd been in total awe of his wife, "For 14 weeks, she was throwing up every single day. Men could not go through that. Seeing what she’s been through does make me realise how strong women are."

Congratulations to the couple!

Scroll through to see which other celebrities are expecting babies this year...

Jake and Sophie Quickenden

Reality TV star Jake Quickenden and his wife Sophie announced they are expecting their second child together in July. Taking to Instagram to share their lovely news, Jake wrote: 'WE HAVE NEWS…. soon to be five. We can finally let you know after a long time trying we are gonna bring another bundle of joy into the world 🌍 We are super excited. Can't wait to live off 2 hours sleep again 😂. Have a lovely Sunday ❤️'.


The couple, who got married in 2022, are already parents to three-year-old so Leo. as well as Sophie's son Freddie from a previous relationship.

Laura Woods and Adam Collard

Sports presenter Laura Woods and former Love Island star Adam Collard announced in July they are expecting their first baby together! The pair, who started dating last year, announced their news on Instagram.

Montana Brown and Mark O'Connor

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Stephanie Davis and Joe McKalroy

Reality TV and soap star Stephanie Davis announced the lovely news in August that she's expecting her first baby with her boyfriend Joe McKalroy. Steph confirmed the news during an interview with OK! Magazine, where she confirmed the couple had been trying to conceive for two years, and had thought about IVF, before she fell pregnant naturally.


Steph is already a proud mum to her son Caben from a previous relationship with Jeremy McConnell.

Lucy Fallon

Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon announced in August that she's expecting her second child with her partner Ryan Ledson. Lucy shared the exciting news on Instagram, announcing she's 20 weeks pregnant on 19th August. The couple are already proud parents to one-year-old son Sonny Jude.

Charlotte Dawson

Just weeks after discovering her husband Matthew Sarsfield had been sending inappropriate messages to another woman, reality star Charlotte Dawson announced the news she's expecting her third child. Sharing the shock news on social media, Charlotte told fans: 'Been keeping a little secret… I have some news to share with you all amongst the negative here's the positive a beautiful beltin bun in the chuffin over, baba number 3 💙💗'. (sic)

Example and Daisy Cox

Music star Example, real name Elliot John Gleave, announced in September that his girlfriend Daisy Cox is expecting the couple's first child. Example is already a proud dad to sons Evander and Ennio, who he shares with his ex-wife Erin.

Charlotte Crosby

Reality star Charlotte Crosby announced in September she's expecting her second child with her fiancé Jake Ankers. The couple are already proud parents to their daughter Alba Jean. Charlotte and Jake announced their lovely news with a cute video on Instagram.

Lacey Turner

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner announced at the end of September that she's expecting her third child with her husband Matt Kay. Lacey shared the news on her Instagram page, posting a photo of her two kids holding a baby scan. She wrote: 'Aren't we lucky …..'. (sic)

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli MozzI

Princess Beatrice announced at the start of October she's expecting her second child with her husband Edoardo Mapelli MozzI. In a statement Buckingham Palace said: "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.


Edoardo is also a proud dad to his eight-year-old son Wolfie.

Oritsé and Kazz Williams

JLS singer Oritsé Williams and his wife Kazz announced in October they are expecting their first child together.

Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney

Actress Jennifer Lawrence is expecting her second child with her husband Cooke Maroney, with the pair already sharing their two-year-old son, Cy. The news was confirmed to Vogue in October by a representative for the actor.

Sophie Hinchliffe (Mrs Hinch)

Mrs Hinch, real name Sophie Hinchliffe, announced at the start of November that she's expecting her third child with her husband Jamie. The influencer shared the news on social media, writing: "Heaven was too far to visit, so you sent us a special gift from up above. I have no doubt you sent him to us Dad, to fill our hearts with so much love"🪽ILYD 💙Ronnie and Lennies Baby Brother. Our Baby Boy No.3 🙊 Joining us in 2025. The 3 Musketeers 💙💙💙 Bring on the absolute carnage boys @mrhinchhome 😉'. (sic)

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly

On 11th November, Megan Fox announced she is expecting her first child with her fiancé Machine Gun Kelly. The actress is already a proud mum to three children with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green. Machine Gun Kelly is also a proud dad to his daughter Casie, with his ex-partner Emma Cannon.

Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria

After welcoming their baby girl Beau in October 2022 and getting married for real during Christmas 2023, Married At First Sight 2021 stars Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria announced in November 2024 that they are expecting their second child together!

Arabella Chi

Love Island star and model Arabella Chi announced in early December that she's expecting her first child with her boyfriend Billy Henty. Arabella announced she's due in May 2025.

Joss Stone

In December 2024, singer Joss Stone revealed she was expecting her fourth child, just weeks after adopting a newborn. Saying in the post 'shocked is an understatement', she told fans... 'nothing and no one can take our joy now. We are so chuffed !!!! Maybe we should call the 'less is more tour the preggo tour 😆 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️' (sic).

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