Louise Thompson Shares Raw Account of IVF Journey Following Near-Fatal Birth Experience
Former Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson, 35, is bravely documenting her IVF journey as she and partner Ryan Libbey attempt to expand their family, offering a candid look at the physical and emotional challenges of fertility treatment following a harrowing birth experience with son Leo in November 2021.
Thompson, who nearly lost her life during childbirth and spent a month in intensive care due to “serious complications,” recently confirmed she had begun fertility injections. Despite ongoing struggles with PTSD and hospital visits, the couple is determined to have another child, but the path has been far from straightforward.
The reality TV personality took to social media to openly discuss the side effects of “trigger shots” – crucial hormonal injections administered before egg retrieval – describing herself as feeling “disgusting, heavy and sore.” In a TikTok video posted on Monday, Thompson shared a glimpse into a particularly difficult night, admitting, “I have had a really rank 24 hours and I don’t want to wax lyrical about it because I’m aware that I’ve had a complicated week, and to be fair, I’ve had a complicated four years and I really don’t want to hear all the negativity.”
Thompson detailed the physical toll of the treatment, confessing she felt “like a brick s**t house” and had been battling a fever for 24 hours. Concerned about potentially jeopardizing the IVF cycle, she refrained from taking paracetamol, enduring a night of shivering and “agony” rather than risk affecting egg quality. “I didn’t tell anyone in the clinic that I’ve had a fever because I do not want to cancel this cycle, I just couldn’t think of anything worse than having to start this whole process again,” she explained.
The star also revealed a return of her “twitch,” a symptom linked to her trauma, and admitted to struggling with sleep. Thompson acknowledged her aversion to medication, stating, “I don’t love taking medication if I don’t have to,” but ultimately decided to take a small dose of children’s Calpol to alleviate her fever.
Despite the discomfort, Thompson expressed relief after a recent scan, stating, “I’ve had some reassurance from the scan.” She is scheduled to have her eggs retrieved on Tuesday morning, a milestone she described as “really exciting.” “I’m so relieved. I’m ready to get these puppies out of my body,” she shared.
Thompson’s journey is particularly poignant given her complex medical history. Following Leo’s birth, she suffered a post-natal haemorrhage and was diagnosed with Asherman’s Syndrome, a condition where scar tissue forms in the uterus. She now relies on a stoma bag and has openly discussed her post-traumatic stress. Thompson has become a vocal advocate for women’s health and maternity rights, speaking to the Birth Trauma All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and launching a petition for a dedicated maternity care commissioner.
Thompson has previously spoken about the challenges of potentially carrying another child, stating she may not be physically or mentally strong enough. “I suppose in one sense, it’s a bit of a miracle that I didn’t have to have a hysterectomy, so I do still have a womb,” she said on Lorraine. “But the hospital have sort of said ‘It would be too threatening. We wouldn’t want to do another surgery in that area. Let’s let you live.’” Despite this, she remains hopeful, exploring options like egg freezing.
Thompson also believes a growing number of “horror stories” surrounding childbirth are deterring women from having children. “It’s something that a lot of people within my circle are talking about fairly regularly – the population problems we have,” she told the Daily Mail. “Thousands of women are crying out to me about this topic.”
Louise Thompson’s openness about her IVF experience has resonated with many, as evidenced by the outpouring of support on her TikTok post. Fans shared messages of encouragement, with one commenter writing, “So sorry to hear that you are going through so much. It sounds very stressful but you have come through so many difficult situations. If anyone can do this it’s you.” Another added, “Wishing you all the best for your retrieval, you really do deserve some happiness.”
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Thompson’s willingness to share her vulnerabilities underscores the emotional and physical realities of IVF, offering a beacon of hope and solidarity to those navigating similar challenges.
