Soap favourites Nikki Sanderson and Anthony Quinlan have opened up about the emotional rollercoaster behind their long-awaited pregnancy, revealing the mix of pure joy, fear and disbelief that followed two painful years of trying to conceive.
When the positive pregnancy test finally appeared, Nikki admits she was “on cloud nine” — but that happiness was instantly accompanied by anxiety. She recalls feeling overwhelming relief when early scans confirmed the baby’s heartbeat, calling it “the most amazing, incredible feeling,” while also confessing she couldn’t shake the fear that something might still go wrong after such a long struggle.
Anthony shared that the couple were thrilled but deliberately cautious with their emotions, explaining that after facing repeated disappointments, they were acutely aware of how fragile the early stages of pregnancy can be. He described being in “protective mode,” trying not to get ahead of themselves, particularly during the first trimester.
The couple, who met through the soap world and have both starred in Hollyoaks, revealed they had already begun exploring IVF options when Nikki fell pregnant naturally — a moment Anthony described as both shocking and surreal. After years of hoping, waiting and bracing themselves for medical intervention, the news still took time to sink in.
Nikki, now 41, is due to give birth in spring but has chosen not to reveal an exact date to avoid pressure and constant questions. She explained that while she’s excited, she wants to protect her peace during the final weeks, simply sharing that they are expecting “a lovely little spring baby.”
Looking back, Nikki admitted the early months of pregnancy were far from easy. She endured severe nausea, extreme exhaustion and even emergency scans following bleeding, describing the first 14 to 16 weeks as “pretty difficult.” Thankfully, things have since settled, allowing her to finally enjoy the experience and focus on preparing for their baby’s arrival.
The actress also revealed that early in their relationship, she had an honest conversation with Anthony about freezing her eggs, aware that her biological clock was ticking. Rather than being awkward or uncomfortable, Anthony fully supported the decision — a moment Nikki says showed how strong their partnership truly was.
Now, as they prepare to become parents, both insist that everything they endured was worth it. Nikki described their journey as emotionally and mentally draining but said having each other’s backs made all the difference. Anthony echoed her words, calling parenthood “life-changing” and admitting he already feels an overwhelming love for a baby he’s yet to meet.
After two years of heartbreak, uncertainty and quiet hope, the couple say they are finally allowing themselves to believe that this long-held dream is becoming real — and they couldn’t be more grateful.
