If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Jorgie Porter is a true sweetheart. She stole our hearts as Theresa McQueen on Hollyoaks, and she just shared that she’s officially wrapped her last taping to step off-screen and focus on her biggest role yet: becoming a mum of two.
With her fiancé, Ollie Piotrowski and their toddler, Forest, by her side, Jorgie is preparing for the arrival of baby number two. And while she makes it look nice and easy, she’s the first to admit it’s been anything but smooth. After the heartbreak of losing her quadruplets in 2021, Jorgie welcomed Forest in 2022, and now she’s knee-deep in the beautiful chaos of balancing toddler life, pregnancy exhaustion, and squeezing in all the last-minute prep she can manage. We caught up with her to hear about the real ups and downs, the mum guilt, and what she’s learning as she juggles it all.
How’s this pregnancy different from when you had Forest?
"Honestly, it’s been so much tougher this time! My belly went big fast, like immediately. I feel massive, way quicker than last time." Jorgie laughs, "With Forest, I had everything ready months in advance. This time, I haven’t even got baby grows yet. I feel like I’ve been so focused on Forest and toddler life that preparing for the new baby has been totally last minute! But it’s amazing with Forest around—he’s so full of energy, and I love it, even though I feel guilty if I sneak in a nap while he’s running around chatting away.
"And honestly, I do feel a bit of mum guilt," she admits. "It’s silly, but I feel like this little one isn’t getting all the attention Forest did when I was pregnant with him. I keep reminding myself, though, I’m doing my best."
Coping with baby loss and staying positive
Reflecting on the emotional journey she’s been on, Jorgie candidly shares, “When I was pregnant with Forest after we lost the quadruplets, I felt like we couldn’t celebrate him until he was in our arms. And I do feel that now as well. I’ve got all these thoughts, like, ‘You never know what can happen,’ so I’m still very cautious. But I’m also trying to enjoy it more this time around, you know? I did a bump photo shoot, which I didn’t do with Forest. I’m even planning a little baby shower."
"But of course, the anxiety is always there," she says honestly. “The closer I get to my due date, the more nervous I feel. And it’s hard to tell if you’re acting differently, especially when you’re pregnant and emotions are everywhere. You don’t even realise how much it affects your mood until someone says, ‘Are you okay?’ And you’re like, ‘Oh...was I behaving like that?’ But that’s all part of it, I suppose.”
Jorgie’s learned the importance of sharing her story, knowing that miscarriage can be an isolating experience. “I think it can make others feel less alone. People often don’t realise how much men suffer too. Ollie was devastated, and voicing that helped him process things, which in turn, helped me.”
Breastfeeding journey so far
“With Forest, breastfeeding felt like the most natural thing, and I loved it. It was convenient, especially when we were out—I just whipped the boob out!” she laughs. “I didn’t care what anyone thought, and luckily, it went smoothly with him. Around six months, my supply dropped, and my mum tried to bottle-feed him with some milk I’d pumped. She accidentally spilled it down the sink—twice! After that, we transitioned to formula, and he was fine, which gave me some freedom back. I’m hoping breastfeeding goes well again, but once they have teeth, I’m out!"
Self-care with a toddler and a growing belly
"My self-care routine is...well, almost non-existent right now!” she laughs. “Before, it was all belly rubs, massages, and meditation. Now it’s more like: ‘Do we have groceries?’ or ‘What’s for dinner?’ And running between appointments with my brain on autopilot! I’m grateful to have Ollie and my mum helping out with Forest here and there. I think once the baby comes, it’ll be easier in some ways because I can catch my breath while Forest is at nursery. So, for now, I’m just rolling with it!”
Preparing Forest for a sibling
"This part’s been cute and kind of chaotic!" she shares. "As my belly grows, Forest looks at me like, ‘Mummy’s got a belly!’ Then he lifts his shirt and says, ‘My belly, too!’ He’s even started ‘washing’ baby dolls at nursery, and they send me pictures—it’s the cutest!
"He seems so curious and gentle with babies, but I think he’ll be in for a surprise when she’s actually here. One funny moment was on a flight when a baby took off running. I chased after it and brought it back to its mum. When I sat down, Forest looked at me like, ‘Wait, is that our baby?’ Watching him get used to the idea has been special.”
Lessons learned as a mum
“Oh my goodness, babies sleep so much at first. I didn’t realise how easy that stage actually was! With a toddler, you’re on the go constantly, and being pregnant, too, is a different ballgame. So if your baby’s snoozing, soak it in! And my new mum mantra is: If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and not stress the small stuff. If he’s happy, I’m happy—no need to overthink it.”
Ollie as super dad
“Ollie is such a brilliant dad; I knew that right from the start. He has a son from a previous relationship, and watching him be such a great dad got my ‘mum instincts’ going! When I can’t keep up with Forest, Ollie’s right there, playing, cooking, whatever’s needed. Sometimes, I’ll be working late, and I know Ollie’s got it handled. I’m really lucky to have him in this with me.”
Must-have mum resources
“The first time around, I loved Is It Normal? with Jessie Ware, and Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast is amazing for getting real with other parents. I remember Gino D’Acampo saying on it, ‘I don’t want to watch Princess films; I want to cook, so my kids cook with me.’ That’s Ollie and Forest! We all need that permission to play in our own way, don’t we?”
Pregnancy cravings and post-birth meal wish
When we asked Jorgie about her current cravings, she revealed, “This time around, I can’t get enough sweets! After every meal, I’m left craving chocolate, and I’ve even developed a little nighttime ritual of enjoying a glass of milk with cookies before bed. It’s become my favourite way to unwind! With Forest, I really missed out on things like sushi and a nice glass of wine, but this time, I know those treats will be waiting for me once the baby arrives. Although… I might be indulging in a bit too much coffee!”
We can’t wait to see what Jorgie shares next, probably a cute photo of her baby girl snuggled up with Forest. It’s clear she’s soaking in all the chaos that comes with motherhood, and we’re here for it! Sending all the good vibes as she tackles this new chapter—after all, every late-night cookie craving and toddler meltdown is just part of the journey. Here’s to all the love, laughter, and memorable moments ahead for Jorgie and her family!
About the author
Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is mum to a one-year-old bambino and lives between Italy and the UK.