In an emotional and deeply personal on-air revelation, ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast host Sharnelle Vella has shared the joyous news that she is expecting her first child with her husband, Nicholas Koutrigaros.
A Journey Filled with Heartbreak and Hope
The 36-year-old presenter broke down in tears during her Wednesday broadcast as she detailed the harrowing fertility struggle that preceded this happy moment. Vella confessed that she and Nicholas, married for four years, had faced a lengthy and difficult path to parenthood, marked by a miscarriage and several unsuccessful rounds of IVF.
"For some, falling pregnant happens quickly; for others it is a process that takes years," she shared with listeners. "The journey is filled with constant highs and lows, medical appointments become a second full-time job and for many those years contain loss and unimaginable grief. Our story is the latter."
The Shocking Diagnosis Hidden for Years
What Vella initially thought would be straightforward turned into "years of specialist appointments." A pivotal moment came when a nurse encouraged further investigation after her miscarriage and failed IVF attempts. A simple blood test indicated mild pelvic inflammation, leading to a recommended laparoscopy.
Despite having no symptoms, Vella underwent the procedure at the Royal Women's Hospital in March. Waking up four hours later from what was meant to be a 20-minute operation, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Her and Nicholas's worst fears were confirmed when the doctor delivered a staggering diagnosis.
"Sharnelle, you have stage four endometriosis – we were cutting it out of you for three hours," the doctor told her. When she asked how many stages there were, he replied, "There are four." Vella summarised the news starkly: "Put simply, I was riddled with it."
A Miraculous Turn of Events
In a remarkable turn of events following her surgery, Vella announced that the couple fell pregnant naturally in June. "On our own, no appointments, no doctors, no injections," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. She apologised to listeners through her tears, adding, "I'm sorry, I swear I'm really happy."
The couple are expecting a baby girl next year. While "beyond overjoyed," Vella admitted they are also "terrified," a common feeling for those who have endured infertility. "You always prepare for bad news," she explained. "You put your life on hold, you don't take holidays because… what if you need another round?"
Vella also took to Instagram to share photos of her baby bump, captioning the post "Small Queen coming in 2026," which prompted an outpouring of congratulations. She hopes her story will offer hope to others and raise crucial awareness about endometriosis and the realities of infertility.
