Olivia Bowen Opens Up About Traumatic Births and Mental Health Struggles

Olivia Bowen, known for her time on Love Island, shares her emotional journey through parenthood, including traumatic births and mental health struggles.

Olivia Bowen, the beloved star from Love Island has opened up about her harrowing experiences with parenthood and mental health. In her new book, Lost Until Love she details the emotional and physical challenges she faced, including traumatic births and the loss of a twin through Vanishing Twin Syndrome.

Olivia’s journey is one of resilience and strength, as she navigates the complexities of motherhood while dealing with anxiety, self-harm, and the impact of losing a twin baby. Her story is a poignant reflection on the importance of therapy, medication, and exercise in maintaining mental health.

Traumatic Births and the Decision to Stop Having Children

The birth of Olivia’s second child, Siena, was fraught with complications, including a collapsed cervix, prolapsed bladder, and a major haemorrhage after a C-section. Olivia lost 2.8 litres of blood, an experience that was deeply traumatic for both her and her husband, Alex Bowen.

Coupled with the loss of a twin through Vanishing Twin Syndrome, the couple made the difficult decision to stop having children. Alex had a vasectomy, a choice that Olivia explains was a joint decision. “Me and Alex definitely won’t be having any more kids,” she states plainly. “He had a vasectomy because of that.”

The Impact of Vanishing Twin Syndrome

Olivia’s experience with Vanishing Twin Syndrome was particularly heart-wrenching. During her pregnancy with twins, she discovered that one of the twins had no heartbeat at the eight-week scan. The second twin was gradually absorbed by her body, a process that left her with a mix of grief and joy during each scan.

“Every time we went for a scan, we’d see Siena in my belly and think, ‘Oh my God, what an amazing thing!’ But then I’d always see the other one…” Olivia recalls. The emotional toll of seeing one thriving baby and one that wasn’t alive was immense. She found solace in the idea that the lost twin was absorbed back into her, a concept that helped her cope with the loss.

Mental Health Struggles and the Road to Recovery

Olivia’s mental health journey has been marked by periods of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. After the birth of her son, Abel, she suffered from post-natal depression and slipped back into old habits. “I ended up slipping back into depression, slipping back into old habits and I had to go back to therapy,” she remembers.

Her book, Lost Until Love is a candid account of her experiences, aimed at helping others who may be going through similar struggles. Olivia emphasizes the importance of therapy, medication, and exercise in her mental health journey. She also highlights the need for open conversations about mental health, hoping to alleviate shame and encourage others to seek help.

Despite the challenges, Olivia and Alex remain a strong and loving couple. They divide their time between the UK and Spain, where they have completed a two-and-a-half year project on their villa. Olivia’s life may seem idyllic on social media, but her early years were filled with family disruption and mental health struggles.

Olivia’s story is a testament to her strength and resilience. Through her book and public discussions, she aims to inspire others to seek help and find the courage to speak about their own struggles. Her journey is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is hope and a path to recovery.