SURGERY SCARE
I thought I was going to die days after my baby was born reveals BBC Breakfast star
The presenter had a “traumatic” complication which took months to recover from
FORMER BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin has opened up about having a terrifying health scare just days after she gave birth to her first child that left her fearing for her life.
The 56-year-old presenter, who co-hosted BBC Breakfast until 2021, shares two daughters, Mia and Scarlett, with her husband David.
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However, while speaking on Gabby Logan’s podcast, , Louise revealed that she had a serious and “traumatic” health scare after Mia was born, which she needed counselling to recover from.
“I think I’ve been through quite a few things in my life that I just put them in a box and shut it,” Louise told the retired gymnast as she began to open up.
Louise continued: “That’s what I do with lots of things. When Mia was born, that’s the only thing I’ve ever kind of had to seek help for, actually.
“When Mia was born, a week after she was born, I had a burst appendix. It was really, really serious.”
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Louise also explained that she still isn’t sure if her appendix rupturing was a result of her pregnancy or just a “ridiculous” coincidence, but she ended up needing emergency surgery.
Recalling how she felt at the time, Louise said: “It was my first pregnancy, so I didn’t know. I kept telling them that I had this pain, but they just thought, ‘It was your body, you’re having this baby, what do you expect?’
Thankfully, Louise had not left the hospital yet and was being monitored when her appendix burst, so she got treatment right away.
That didn’t make it any less scary, though, and I’m A Celebrity star admitted that she was terrified she was going to die just days after giving birth to her daughter.
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“Literally six days after she was born, and it burst while I was in hospital and it was very dramatic and very traumatic.
“That’s the only thing I’ve ever had help with, actually, because I thought I was going to die six days after my baby was born,” Louise said.
Louise Minchin opens up about her decision to leave BBC Breakfast to James Martin
Although Louise said on the podcast that she put this part of her past and shut it, she did open up about her experience once before.
Louise previously revealed that after her appendix burst, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and needed months to recover along with counselling.
Speaking to in 2013, the BBC presenter said: “After coming out of hospital, I was still in pain. I’d sleep for hours and was in lots of pain. It took nine months to recover.
“At the time, I called the scars my M25. I’m glad to say that after 11 years, the M25 is looking better. It’s still there, but there aren’t so many bumps any more!”
Who are the current presenters of BBC Breakfast?
The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are:
Jon Kay - Since 2022
Sally Nugent - Since 2021
Charlie Stayt - Since 2006
Naga Munchetty - Since 2014
Carol Kirkwood - Since 1997
Louise did go on to have a second child, her daughter Scarlett, but admitted she was hesitant after such an ordeal.
“Although the scare didn’t put me off having more children, I delayed it. But the birth of my second was a breeze,” she explained.
Ultimately, Louise is just happy there were no complications for Mia when she was born.
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“It was lucky it all happened after Mia was born. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I had been pregnant. It changed me, but I’m more positive now.
“When something like that happens, it gives you a different perspective,” she concluded.
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