Olivia Bowen praises MPs for making monumental change after heartbreaking grief

TV stars Olivia and Alex Bowen are showing the dynamics of their home life with two children in their latest ITV series Parenthood. The pair, who met on Love Island, vowed to show all areas of parenting, which includes some challenges along the way, as well as Olivia's birth story. They welcomed their second child, Siena Grace, earlier this year, but they were met with heartbreak when they first discovered they were having a second baby, because Siena was originally supposed to be a twin.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Olivia spoke of the decision from MPs to extend bereavement leave to cover pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, something which wasn't in place when they lost the twin. Olivia said: "We lost one of the twins, it was really hard, but we're lucky that we're self-employed and were able to take the time to grieve and to have each other.

"But there used to be no law on that about how long you had. We lost the baby at seven weeks, normally that wouldn't be considered a bereavement, and you wouldn't be allowed time off to grieve.

"They've recently changed that, so parents do have time to grieve their babies that you lose before 12 weeks. Parents experience grief from the minute they find out they're pregnant, if they lose a baby you experience grief, you feel that."

Olivia explained it was something she was really passionate about and is glad that it's been changed.

She also spoke on paternity leave, as a review is expected to take place, and said she believes men should be able to take more time off because three weeks "is not enough".

Olivia added: "Women go through so much, and men are missing out on their kids.

"I'd love to see there be no divide, whether it's a woman or a male taking time off, it would be nice to see some more equality in that so that everyone can have the same amount of time."

Olivia reflected on the fact that having a baby is such an important moment, but two weeks with the newborn is just "not enough". There is currently an 18-month long review of the UK's parental leave, which started from July 1 2025 and will end in December 2026.

The couple will also be addressing their parenting decisions, figuring out life as a new family of four and focusing on their relationship in their new series.

Olivia & Alex: Parenthood is on ITVX and ITV2 from Sunday 12th October