Inside Irena and Locky Gilbert’s life with their darling daughter, Ava

Celebrity Families – 12 Jun 24 By Fiona Wright

(Image: Instagram)

Irena shares Ava’s birth story: “I hope by sharing this other women won’t feel alone.”

After meeting and falling in love on The Bachelor in early 2020, Irena Srbinovska and Locky Gilbert tied the knot in 2023 and welcomed their first child earlier this year.

The couple took to Instagram to announce their baby girl was born on February 23, 2024.

“Ava Aleksandra Gilbert,” they captioned the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IRENA GILBERT 🌹 (@irena_srbinovska)

The former reality star has been open and honest about her and Locky’s journey to parenthood with the pair sharing their fertility struggles and two previous miscarriages.

In late September 2023, six months on from their wedding, the couple announced they were pregnant.

“2023 has been a year of surprises, and now Locky and I are thrilled to share the biggest surprise of our lives – anticipating a new member in our family ♥️,” Irena and the former SAS Australia star wrote.

“As we revel in our happiness, we’re deeply sensitive to those who face the trials of infertility or have suffered loss. Having navigated the rollercoaster of emotions ourselves, we extend our hands and hearts to those on a similar path,” she added.

“In the midst of life’s storms, may you find your rainbow soon 🌈. Due early 2024 🍼.”

To celebrate Irena and Locky’s parenthood journey, here’s a look at their life with daughter, Ava

Irena shares Ava’s birth story: “I hope by sharing this other women won’t feel alone”

“I have gone to post this so many times and often hold back and don’t post. I think because I’m sharing this with mixed emotions. Ones that I often feel very guilty for feeling but here goes,” Irena begins.

“Being a mum is something that I have always wanted, a non negotiable for me was having a family so I was very happy when I met Locky and he said he also wanted a family and relatively soon (let’s not start on our little biological clock). And whilst our journey to becoming pregnant was met with some loss we actually didn’t have many difficulties falling pregnant it was staying pregnant.”

She continues: “When we found out that we were pregnant I was over the moon and equally terrified. As the pregnancy progressed my anxiety would fluctuate like a yo-yo…up and down. And so did my nausea and vomiting which made working and life a little hard. At the 12 week scan, we were told that our baby may have a Single Umbilical Artery (SUA), another thing to add to my anxiety, this was later confirmed at the 20 week scan.

“But the worst part was that I wasnt enjoying being pregnant like I thought I would. And that’s what I have struggled to admit. Something that I had wanted so badly and dreamt of for so long yet I wasn’t enjoying the experience and it all came to a head when I reached 37 weeks. I was hot and bothered surviving a record breaking heatwave and Ava (my very very active baby) stopped moving. Panic set in and of course when admitted for monitoring my baby would we so active that they couldn’t get a good trace 🤦‍♀️ I thought I was going crazy. No amount of reassurance from my Ob, the midwives, Locky or my mum was helping. So I asked for help.”

Irena finishes part one of a two-part post writing, “I hope by sharing this other women won’t feel alone if they are going through the same thing or struggling through their experience. I know I am extremely lucky to be holding my baby in my arms today and that’s why I have struggled to share this.”

Irena shares ‘part 2’ of Ava’s birth story: “Before I knew it, it was time to push.”

“The best day of my life didn’t happen how I thought it would, not that I had a “birth plan” as such,” Irena shares to Instagram.

“As I was nearing the due date I was mentally and emotionally exhausted and even though physically I could keep going I just wanted my baby out and in my arms. I was growing inpatient and frustrated.”

She continues: “I reached 38 weeks and at a regular check up with my Ob and we discussed my options. He said I could either wait for a spontaneous labour or he could book me in for an induction. We weighed up the pros and cons of both options. And then he said how about you go home, discuss with Locky and come back in 2 days. At my next appointment I was dilated but my waters hadn’t broken and I wasn’t having any contractions so he booked me in for an induction the following morning. I was elated and I was also slightly disappointed that I wouldn’t get to experience my waters breaking (hoping it would be dramatic just so to see Locky’s reaction 😂).

“After arriving to the hospital and getting checked in I had my waters broken. I got up went for a walk with Locky and grabbed some coffee. When I returned to my room I had the epidural inserted but not started and the IV drip commenced. The contractions started slowly and the pain was bearable. So far things were going great and Ava was coping well too,” she writes.

“At midday the pain increased and the contractions intensified so I asked to be examined, I was 6cm and we started the epidural. Heaven! What a difference.

“From there it all happened so quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to push. Yes! I was so close to holding her. I stupidly decided it would be nice to listen to our wedding playlist while giving birth (second photo). I do not recommend it 😭😭”

Irena finishes Ava’s birth story, saying: “I all of a sudden noticed a second midwife enter & my Ob setting up for a suction delivery, oh no! This was the last motivation I needed to push. My Ob called Locky over & he got to deliver our baby.

“Best day of my life!”

Irena Srbinovska with three month old daughter Ava

Irena in her ‘Mum Era’ with her three-month-old

Sharing photos to Instagram of herself snuggling up to her daughter, Irena wrote: “Mum Era life with Ava over the last week.

“Who loves a newborn cuddle? They smell so good.”

Locky was quick to comment: “My girls 🔥🔥🔥”

The post was flooded with comments, with many mothers reflecting on how special the newborn days are.

“I used to worry about all the things I should be doing around the house. Now I miss this, and wish I had enjoyed ever minute. In 6 months, she will be miss independent and you will long for these moments,” wrote one mum.

“So special, enjoy because one day you wake up and they are teenagers,” another added.

“Newborn cuddle, toddler cuddle, kid cuddle. Love them all. So good 😍,” commented another fan.

The meaning behind Ava’s middle name and the name she was almost called

During an Instagram Q&A session, Irena was asked if Ava was always going to be the name they chose.

“We had a couple of names picked out and thought we would wait until she was born to decide,” she answered.

“We were convinced she was going to be Isla but when she was born Locky and I didn’t think she suited the name and thought she was more of an Ava.”

Speaking of the family meaning behind Ava’s middle name, Irena said: “Her middle name Aleksandra, was always going to be her name after my late grandmother. Even though she passed away when I was young I had always felt a special connection with her and felt that she has been with me and watching over me so I wanted Ava to share her name.”

Irena says her breastfeeding journey has been ‘challenging’ but ‘rewarding’

Opening up about her experience breastfeeding her daughter during an Instagram Q&A session, Irena admitted she finds it ‘hard some days’.

“I am breastfeeding and expressing to top her up. It’s challenging but I’m enjoying it,” she says.

“Breastfeeding is something I never thought I’d even try, I don’t know why but I think I was always scared of it. And while I find it hard some days, I am also finding it really rewarding, love the bonding time with Ava.”