'When it failed, it was devastating': Pregnant Lucy Pargeter and her fiancé Rudi Coleano reveal heartbreaking 11-year struggle to conceive by IVF... as they share delight at expecting twins

By Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: 20:25 EST, 12 December 2016 | Updated: 04:57 EST, 13 December 2016

Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter and her fiancé Rudi Coleano have opened up about about how their IVF pregnancy joy was foreshadowed by years of disappointments.

Speaking to OK! magazine the couple have spoken about falling pregnant with twins on their second round of IVF, after 11 heartbreaking years of unsuccessful attempts of trying to conceive.

‘We’re absolutely over the moon,' Lucy, 39, said happily. 'It still hasn’t sunk in. It’s a buy one, get one free situation!’

'When it failed, it was devastating': Lucy Pargeter and her fiancé reveal how they tried desperately to conceive for 11 years

The soap actress went on to explain how difficult it's been to deal with a constant string of let downs when it's come to conceiving naturally - and then the further heartbreak they felt when their initial round of IVF didn't work the first time.

'When it failed, it was devastating after all the drugs, preparation and mental stress that we were put through,’ Lucy recalled.

Rudi continued: ‘It was a rocky time going through that. We had a disappointing ride on the first treatment.’

Of the second round and the eventual discovery that it had worked, Lucy said: ‘We’re very cautious, but we’re having regular checks with the fertility clinic and the midwives; everyone has been brilliant.' 

Expecting: The couple are just one pair of stars sharing their story in this week's OK!

‘We’re so excited. No words can describe how we’re feeling,’ football coach Rudi added.

They already have a daughter - Lola, 11 - and the couple explained that they started trying for another immediately after she was born.

'We’ve been trying for 11 years and now we’re expecting twins!’ Lucy explained of the sudden turn of fortune.

While their twins are due May 3, the expectant mother said: ‘They don’t let you go further than 37 weeks with twins, so they’ll be out mid-April if not before.'

Lucy is famed for playing scheming Chas Dingle in Emmerdale and originally confirmed the news on Halloween.

The happy couple, who have been engaged for 12 years, announced they are set to make the 'long-awaited' addition to their brood.

Exciting times! Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter and her fiancé Rudi Coleano have opened up about about how their IVF pregnancy joy was foreshadowed by years of disappointment

From soap star to new mum: Emmerdale star Lucy has spoken about falling pregnant with twins on their second round of IVF, after 11 heartbreaking years of unsuccessful attempts of trying to conceive

Reversal of fortunes: They already have a daughter - Lola, 11 - and the couple explained that they started trying for another immediately after she was born

Overjoyed! Lucy has revealed how delighted she is feeling (pictured in 2013's season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!)

Lucy has been a long-time soap favourite since launching onto screens on the ITV soap in 2002 shortly after playing Helen Raven in Crossroads - she later finished third on I'm A Celebrity in 2013.

A spokeswoman for ITV said at the time: 'Lucy Pargeter and her partner Rudi Coleano are delighted to announce they are expecting twins spring 2017.

'They will be long-awaited siblings for their daughter, Lola.'

Sopa stalwart: Lucy has been a long-time soap favourite since launching onto screens on the ITV soap in 2002

Back in 2007, when Lola was just two-years-old, Lucy revealed doctors had told her there could be something seriously wrong with the toddler when they discovered she had an enlarged spleen and blood problems.

The health scare made her put the thought of more children on the back burner for some time.

She told The Mirror at the time: 'We want to get to the bottom of it before I even think about having other children.

'Before I had a baby I thought I'd have loads. I used to look after my nephews a lot, but it's only when you have a baby that you realise it's a full-time job.'

Spring babies: While their twins are due May 3, the expectant mother said: ‘They don’t let you go further than 37 weeks with twins, so they’ll be out mid-April if not before'

With their long-term engagement, the babies seem to be putting off any further plans for a wedding - although Lucy revealed the pair nearly wed in 2012.

She told The Sun: 'We were in Dubai about a month ago and we said: "Sod it, while we're here, let's do it"

'Then I thought all our mates would be like: "Oh cheers, thanks for the invite".'

Thoughts of wedding bells have clearly been disregarded once again as they prepare for holiday season and get ready to enter 2017 knowing they'll have two extra family members with them next Christmas.

Read the full interview with Lucy and Rudi in the new issue of OK! Magazine, on sale now.

 

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