Reality television personality Jess Impiazzi has shared joyous news, announcing she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Sam Bird, a driver in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The couple are set to welcome a baby boy in May 2026 following a difficult fertility journey that included IVF treatment and Impiazzi's battle with the chronic autoimmune disease lupus.
A Joyful Announcement After a Private Struggle
The 36-year-old star, best known for Ex On The Beach and Celebrity Big Brother, took to Instagram on Tuesday to reveal her pregnancy. She posted a series of images, including a scan picture and a babygro with the words 'Coming soon', alongside a heartfelt caption. "It’s been hard keeping this secret," she wrote, acknowledging the challenge for a self-confessed "over sharer".
She was quick to praise the unwavering support of her partner, Sam Bird, throughout the arduous process. "It’s not been an easy journey but my @sambird_official has been there through every IVF appointment, every jab, every hospital appointment, and I love him so much," Impiazzi expressed. Bird reciprocated the sentiment on his own social media, calling Jess a "superstar" and sharing their collective excitement about becoming parents.
Overcoming Fertility Challenges and a Lupus Diagnosis
The path to pregnancy was fraught with medical hurdles. Jess Impiazzi was diagnosed with lupus in 2023, the same year she split from former partner Jermaine Pennant and later found love with Sam Bird. Shortly after her lupus diagnosis, she received the devastating news of a low ovarian reserve, with an AMH level of just 0.5, signalling an impending early menopause and drastically reduced chances of conceiving naturally.
"I have always wanted to have a family so to be told the chances of having my own children are slim is heartbreaking," she revealed previously. The couple, who had been together for less than two years at the time, felt their timeline for starting a family had been abruptly shortened, prompting them to embark on IVF treatment sooner than planned.
Sharing the IVF Journey to Support Others
Throughout her treatment, Impiazzi has been open about the emotional and physical toll of IVF, creating a sense of community with others facing similar struggles. In a detailed Instagram update during the egg collection stage, she shared that doctors had retrieved two eggs, a number she considered positive given her condition.
"I know this is not an easy journey, but since I spoke up about it I was actually shocked how many people are going through this or have been through this," she wrote, thanking followers for their support. She described the process as "draining and exhausting" but hailed everyone undergoing fertility treatment as "warriors".
Now, with the pregnancy publicly announced, the focus is firmly on the future. The couple's story highlights the intersection of chronic illness and fertility, offering hope to many. Jess has directed fans to a more in-depth feature about their experience in Closer Magazine, using the hashtags #lupusfertility, #lupus, and #ivf to continue raising awareness.
