Love Island's Alex Bowen, 35, opens up about having a vasectomy after wife Olivia's traumatic birth experience as he hits back at claim he's 'lost his masculinity'

Love Island's Alex Bowen has opened up about undergoing a vasectomy after his wife Olivia's 'close call' as he hit back at digs over 'losing his masculinity'.

The reality star, 35, shot to fame as runner-up on season two of Love Island in 2016 with Olivia, 32, before going on to tie the knot in September 2018.

They welcomed their second child – a daughter named Siena – in August last year, three years after their son Abel was born.

However, Olivia had a very 'close call' during the birth of their youngest, needing an emergency C-section and a blood transfusion after losing nearly three litres of blood due to her tearing her uterus in two places.

Following the traumatic experience, coupled with the loss of a twin through Vanishing Twin Syndrome, Alex later had a vasectomy after they were certain they did not want more kids.

Now in a new interview with the Daily Mail, Alex opened up about his decision to have the snip as he hit back at digs over 'losing his masculinity'.

He exclusively told the Daily Mail: 'I spoke to a few people about it, and I mean the lads normal reaction is like, "What are we doing that for?"

'It's kind of like, I haven't got any thoughts in my head that we're never gonna be together.

'Like, people always like, "What about if you split up?" and I'm like, well, that's something you shouldn't be doing if you think like that.'

Alex went on to explain how he thinks men should take more responsibility for contraception in relationships.

He explained: 'Liv's been on like the pill or whatever for how many years and that affects your hormones, all that kind of stuff. And I'm like well we are done having kids, so why not.'

Olivia added: 'I find it like really admirable because not many men speak about it in the way that Alex does, and I do think you should be even more vocal about what you've done because I think they can learn from that.

'Like, it's not just my responsibility.'

Alex continued: 'Yeah, I think men just look at it in a way of, like, I'm not doing that, you're losing your masculinity.

'But I don't think about like that. It's about me and Liv and our family and the kids and what's best for us at the time. I just thought that's just best for us.'

Emphasising how it was the best decision for them, Olivia opened up about her traumatic birth with Sienna. 

She said: 'I think, in all seriousness, I feel like the pregnancy with Sienna was really hard because the birth was extremely traumatic for us both. Not just me but for Alex as well.

'We were so lucky to have the two children that we do, and I just don't I don't believe that we need to have any more. That's just how I feel about it.'

Olivia had planned a home birth for their second child but after a severe bladder prolapse she was rushed to hospital and taken to surgery.

After Siena had been delivered she was left slipping in and out of consciousness as her Alex looked on in horror as the colour drained from her face.

The reality star then had months of recovering at home which she said was made harder by having to also look after her older child.

Just after the birth a source told the Daily Mail of what happened: 'Olivia could have died during birth if it wasn't for the incredible team at her local hospital. 

'She lost nearly three litres of blood needing an urgent blood transfusion and emergency C-section.'

Elsewhere, Olivia and Alex have teamed up with Dunelm this year to get their home ready for Christmas. 

After spending the summer soaking up the Spanish sunshine, the pair have returned to the UK countryside and are turning their home into a cosy Christmas retreat.

When asked why they have teamed up with the retailer, Olivia said: 'Oh, my goodness, so many reasons. 

'We absolutely love Christmas. Like, we fully go in at Christmas, any kind of event, like Halloween, we've absolutely adored. 

'And then as soon as Halloween was done, it was straight in there with all the Christmas stuff.

'We've got all the dining table done, the lounge done, we have our fireplace done. 

'We've even done the guest room.'

When asked what their tips are for having a stress-free Christmas, Alex joked: 'I just kind of sit back and just like, "All right, go get me a drink".'

He continued: 'I mean, we do get stuff done early, like, preparing everything early.'

Olivia added: 'And actually, the tablecape that we did with Dunelm, we used their Armalfi range and it looks reallyneutral and it's like kind of scandy vibed, so it works for the whole year and then you can kind of add in a little other Christmas decorations, but actually, it's really great for everyday you.

'I think that really helps when you're decorating and being ready for people to come over, like we're big fans of having friends and family over with us.'

Olivia and Alex Bowen have teamed up with Dunelm to create the ultimate Friendsmas set-up at their country home. 

From show-stopping tablescapes to cosy guest bedrooms, Olivia shares her top tips for getting your home ready for Christmas. You can find all the contents on the official Dunelm website.