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Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson and her partner Zion Foster celebrate the arrival of their identical twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, born prematurely at 31 weeks. Despite a challenging pregnancy marked by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), the twins are healthy and thriving.
Jesy Nelson, former member of Little Mix, announced the birth of her identical twin daughters, Ocean Jade Nelson-Foster and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, on Sunday, May 18, 2025, via a joint Instagram post with her partner, Zion Foster. The twins were born on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 31 weeks and 5 days following an induced labour in a London hospital. Nelson shared, “Our beautiful baby girls decided to come at 31weeks plus 5 days. It all happened so quickly, but we are so blessed that they are here with us, healthy and fighting strong! We’ve never felt more in love.”
The couple spent the past ten weeks in the hospital to ensure the twins’ health and safety, with doctors planning to induce labour around the 32-week mark. Nelson’s emotional Instagram post included photos of her cradling one twin while wearing an orange hat, and Foster, in a hospital gown, gazing lovingly at the other.
Nelson’s pregnancy was fraught with complications due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a rare condition affecting 10 to 15% of identical twins sharing a placenta, where abnormal blood vessels cause an imbalanced blood flow between the twins. The twins, identified as monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA), shared a single placenta but had separate sacs, with one placenta supporting both babies.
In March 2025, Nelson underwent a successful operation to address pre-stage TTTS, which she described as “absolutely incredible” due to the skill of her doctors. She noted, “The TTTS has cleared up, the operation was a success, which is just absolutely incredible. We are so, so lucky to have the most amazing doctors.” However, her short cervix meant she couldn’t leave the hospital, as her waters could break at any moment. Nelson shared, “I can’t leave the hospital until I’m a certain amount of weeks, so every week we’re just like, ‘please, please, please, stay in there’.”
In April, an urgent surgery was required when TTTS symptoms worsened, a procedure Nelson described as necessary to give the twins “the best chance of surviving.” She expressed her fears, saying, “I feel absolutely gutted because I was really hoping we wouldn’t be in this position. It’s obviously really scary because there’s so many things that can happen. Pray for us, please.” Post-surgery, Nelson gratefully shared, “We feel so grateful and blessed that these little babies are still going strong.”
Zion Foster, Nelson’s partner since November 2022, played a significant role during the pregnancy. The couple, who briefly split in 2024 after a nine-month relationship before reconciling, transformed their hospital room into a homely space, with a couch-turned-double bed. Foster shared, “There’s a couch that turns into a bed that we pushed next to the hospital bed, so we’ve made our own double bed.
The nurses just said, ‘Oh, my God. It looks so nice in here. It looks so homely’.” He reflected on their strengthened bond, telling OK!, “I think it’s at these times when you really, really know what love you have and what your relationship means. And I think for me and Jess, this has just taken it to a whole other level of us knowing we are literally made for each other.”
Foster also ran the London Marathon in April 2025 to raise funds for Twins Trust, a charity supporting twin families, expressing hope for the twins’ health: “They’re giving us so much hope they’re going to come out healthy.” He added, “Jesy and the twins have come through so much. There were so many times in this pregnancy we didn’t think we’d get to where we are now. Their strength has been unmatched. We literally feel like we know them already just because of how much they’ve overcome.”
Friends and fans flooded the couple’s Instagram announcement with congratulations. Safiyya Vorajee commented, “Oh how my heart just filled up with love for you all, congratulations welcome to the world babies you are so special, beautiful names, now it’s time to soak up all the love and start your new chapter with love health and happiness so happy for you all.” Luke Hamnett wrote, “Congratulations my lovely,” while a fan added, “They’re absolutely precious, so are their names. Congratulations and welcome to the World, sweet girls.”
The twins’ unique names, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, hold special significance. Jade is thought to be a tribute to Nelson’s sister, while Monroe honors her late grandmother. The couple has not yet shared the inspiration behind Ocean and Story, adding a touch of intrigue to their choices.
Nelson rose to fame as a member of Little Mix, formed on the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011 alongside Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards, and Jade Thirlwall. She left the group in December 2020 after nine years, citing struggles with mental health, body image, and online bullying. Post-Little Mix, Nelson launched her solo career with the single Boyz featuring Nicki Minaj in 2021, followed by Bad Thing in 2023.
Her openness about her pregnancy journey continued this trend of vulnerability. Nelson announced her pregnancy in January 2025, captioning an Instagram post, “eating for 3 now.” In May, she shared monochrome images of her bump and ultrasound scans, calling herself “Muma Nelson” and Foster “Papa Foster,” even referring to him as “my husband” in some posts.
Despite the premature birth and medical challenges, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe are “healthy and fighting strong,” bringing immense joy to their parents.
