Pregnancy is supposed to be a joyous time, filled with excitement and anticipation as you prepare for the arrival of your little one. But for Ex on the Beach star Jess Impiazzi, her pregnancy journey has been marred by a terrifying health battle that she’s bravely opened up about. In an exclusive interview, Jess revealed the devastating impact of her lupus diagnosis, detailing how the autoimmune disease is attacking her body in ways that no one could have predicted—amid the stress of being pregnant.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissue, leading to inflammation and, in some cases, organ damage. For Jess, the symptoms of lupus have been nothing short of devastating. From the very beginning, she noticed her body fighting against her, with swelling in her joints and severe arthritis that made even the simplest tasks unbearable.
But things didn’t stop there. As her lupus progressed, Jess began to experience visible symptoms that further chipped away at her confidence. “These rashes were quickly appearing all over my body,” she shared, describing the emotional toll of seeing her own skin flare up. “If my joints swelling and having arthritis wasn’t bad enough, alongside other invisible symptoms, the visible ones were chipping away at my confidence.”
The rashes weren’t the only issue. Soon, Jess began to notice significant hair loss, which only added to her emotional distress. “Then on top of all that, my hair started to fall out. I’d say I lost nearly 50-60% of my hair,” Jess said, explaining how the daily toll of lupus kept her locked in a vicious cycle of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Lupus and Pregnancy
Jess’s struggle with lupus came at a particularly challenging time in her life: during her pregnancy. As any expectant mother knows, pregnancy is already a whirlwind of emotions and physical changes. But on top of the usual pregnancy symptoms, Jess had to contend with a chronic illness that exacerbated her physical and mental health issues.
“The daily stress and anxiety of everything kept my lupus active,” she admitted, acknowledging the emotional weight of trying to balance her health and the excitement of expecting a child. “I’ve honestly never felt so lost and I didn’t know who I was anymore.”
The combination of stress, physical pain, and uncertainty took a significant toll on her sense of self. With her lupus symptoms flaring up, Jess didn’t know how to continue with her everyday life. She was taking steroids to manage her immune system and experimenting with different medications to try to find a treatment that would work for her. On the good days, she would push herself to keep up with her commitments. But on the bad days, she was in so much pain that it felt like she couldn’t go on.
“I had to find a new way of living and researched everything I could on lupus,” she shared. “I found some really interesting people online who had got their lupus in remission, so I decided to try things out.” Jess’s determination to regain control over her life and health led her to try alternative treatments, including methods to regulate her nervous system after years of feeling out of balance.
Finding Hope and Strength
Jess’s journey has been nothing short of a battle, but throughout the ordeal, she has found hope in unexpected places. Through her research and speaking with others who had managed to get their lupus under control, she discovered new ways of managing her condition that have given her the strength to keep moving forward.
Although lupus has drastically impacted her life, Jess remains hopeful. “One of those things was getting my nervous system regulated after many years of it not being,” she explained, describing how her new approach to managing her health is starting to show positive results. While the road to remission is long and full of challenges, Jess has embraced the idea of finding new ways to cope and heal, inspired by the success stories of others.
A Joyful Expectation Amid Struggles
Despite her health battle, Jess is also experiencing one of the happiest moments of her life—her pregnancy. Jess, 36, is expecting her first child with her partner Sam Bird, 39, after a fertility journey that had its own share of struggles. After splitting from her ex-boyfriend, footballer Jermaine Pennant, Jess found love again with Sam in the summer of 2024. The couple has been together ever since, and their joy at expecting a baby is palpable.
In an emotional update earlier this year, Jess shared the exciting news with her followers, expressing how grateful she felt to be starting a family with Sam. She’s due to give birth in May, and while she’s facing the challenges of lupus, she remains optimistic about the future.
“I am truly excited to meet our little one,” Jess said. “After everything I’ve been through, this pregnancy feels like such a blessing, and I’m trying my best to stay positive through it all.”
A Message of Strength and Resilience
Jess Impiazzi’s story is one of immense strength and resilience. From navigating the ups and downs of her lupus diagnosis to embracing the challenges of pregnancy, she’s shown incredible courage in the face of adversity. Her journey has not been easy, but Jess remains determined to find hope in even the darkest of times.
In sharing her story with the world, Jess hopes to raise awareness of lupus and the struggles that come with living with an invisible illness. She’s also encouraging others who may be facing similar challenges to reach out for help and to remember that they are not alone. “The truth was I was in pain, I was scared and didn’t know how to carry on like this,” she admitted. “But I found strength through researching, reaching out, and never giving up.”
As Jess continues her journey toward motherhood, she is proving that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, it’s possible to find the strength to keep going. Her battle with lupus may have been devastating, but it has also been a journey of growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
With her baby due soon, Jess is ready to embrace the new chapter of her life. “I’m excited for what the future holds,” she said. “There’s still so much I want to achieve, and I know that this next chapter is going to be full of love and joy.”
