For former Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson, giving birth to her son Leo should have been one of the best days of her life. But instead Louise’s childbirth experience led to haemorrhages, the removal of her colon, the fitting of a stoma bag and a series of health conditions including PTSD.
Two and a half years later and now a number one Sunday Times best-selling author with her book Lucky, which details the health struggles – both physical and mental – that she has been dealing with, Louise, 34, exclusively tells Closer that she finally feels like she’s experiencing the start of a new chapter in her life.
She reveals, “It’s been a really, really hard couple of years. So to get to a place where the book is finally out feels like I can kind of put a pin in everything. We’re at the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one when it comes to my life. I’m really starting to be able to enjoy time with my family and have better mental and, hopefully, physical health too.
“I’m taking things slow but I’m back at work, which is great. I’m currently working with Not On The High Street and have created a summer collection with them – full of fun, colourful pieces which should bring lots of joy.”
In November 2021, Louise was forced to have an emergency Caesarean while giving birth to Leo, two, after a series of difficulties including a major haemorrhage. Speaking on Lorraine recently, she explained, “I have Asherman’s syndrome, where my uterus is glued together. I had a year with no periods. I had surgery to fix that and then I had another haemorrhage.” In total, over the two years, the reality star lost 12 litres of blood.
Additionally, the anti-depressants that Louise then took to manage her PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts following the traumatic birthing experience triggered her pre-existing ulcerative colitis. As a result, she was forced to have a procedure to remove part of her colon, leaving her with a stoma bag.
Naturally, going through such a traumatic ordeal, it was essential that the former Made In Chelsea star had the right support systems in place, including her fiancé Ryan Libbey – with whom she shares son Leo.
But despite gushing about Ryan’s strength and support in recent months, and publicly thanking him for everything that he did for her, Louise admits that her health battle almost pushed their relationship to breaking point.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” says Louise, whose brother is fellow MIC star Sam Thompson. “I think anyone who’s been through trauma will know that sometimes some relationships fall apart. Trauma trickles through every single aspect of life. Now I’m in a place two and a half years down the line where I look back, and I am thanking Ryan for various things that he did. But there were moments early on where we completely fell apart – we had no relationship.
“We shouldn’t have stayed together – things were really destructive. I think we were both just dealing with our own versions of trauma and handling it very differently. It was really hard for him to witness the person that he’s loved and has known so well for six or seven years completely fall apart. I don’t think he knew how to handle it.”
She continues, “I’m so glad I was with Ryan. Anyone else that I had been with before, I’m not sure that any of those relationships would have survived. I’m really glad now that Ryan and I stuck together, because I think a lot of people wouldn’t have. And there was a time when everyone in my family thought that we should have broken up because we weren’t good for each other in that moment. But it just goes to show how much people’s personalities can shift during moments of extreme survival, and I’m so glad that we made it through.”
As was well documented on Made In Chelsea, Louise and personal trainer Ryan, 33, have been in a relationship since meeting at a gym in 2016. After getting engaged in 2018, the pair delayed their wedding plans due to Louise’s pregnancy and health struggles. But with their relationship and Louise’s health in a much stronger place, they are now looking to the future.
Louise explains, “Ryan and I had a really amazing conversation a couple of weeks ago. We were both a bit fed up and he decided that we should go on a walk to the park. We spent five hours in the park hashing out stuff that we haven’t spoken about in two and a half years. And one of the things that he did uncover was that a wedding would mean a lot to him.
“And I never knew that, because we’d never spoken about it. I’ve never dreamt about the big white wedding and I’ve never had a huge urge to do it, but now I know how much it means to him, I’ve started getting more excited by it and want to make it happen. He literally said, ‘If I die without having got married, I won’t feel like I’ve lived a complete life’. I thought it was really cute and just confirmed to me how much he loves me.”
She continues, “I don’t want to rush anything though. Maybe we can plan something for the end of next year – I love the idea of a beautiful winter wedding. I think there’s an expectation that I’ll get married abroad, but that might be too much work. And I love the idea of Leo being the cutest little ring bearer!”
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Daisy Hall is a News and Entertainment writer across Closer, heat, Grazia, Bella, Yours and Crime Monthly magazines.