Louise Thompson has candidly shared that she never wanted a "natural childbirth experience".
The 34-year-old mum-of-one, who has suffered multiple health ordeal since giving birth to her son Leo in 2021, opened up about how her preference for a C-section was overlooked by medical professionals.
Speaking on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Louise revealed: "I'm very small. I've got the body of a 14-year-old boy, you know, I have no hips. I just, it wasn't an experience ... I didn't want to go through the natural childbirth experience, it wasn't something that really appealed to me."
She described feeling diminished and disregarded, like a "child", as her wishes were sidelined. The reality TV personality, who rose to fame on Made in Chelsea, expressed frustration, saying: "I was speaking to a lot of different people and the message was never really passed on."
"And, you know, I definitely there was an element of kind of having white coat syndrome, where I suddenly felt like I was back at school whenever I was face-to-face with someone in the medical professional. I just felt like a child again and that I couldn't advocate for myself."
Stacey Dooley supported by fans as star 'mum-shamed' ahead of giving birthLouise has also spoken about the severe mental health struggles she faced postpartum. On the How To Fail podcast, she disclosed: "I honestly think that Leo was born into my world six months after, that was when we started to get to know one another. For the first six months I had to focus on living. I had incredibly bad PTSD and anxiety."
"I was living in perpetual fear, I was petrified of most things in my house, even just waking up I was petrified and working through that was really tiring and scary. I didn't have a lot of space for anybody else."
In April this year, Louise received an outpouring of love and support as she disclosed that she's had a stoma bag fitted due to ongoing health struggles. Since giving birth in 2021, Louise has faced a series of health setbacks. She posted a video where she displayed the stoma bag attached to her abdomen, asking her fans: "HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS? ".
She mused over how different this news was from joyous announcements, saying: "It's not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look i'm having a boy... Hey look i've got a stoma! So I guess i'll just stand here Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag that represents life And hopefully a better one. Isn't it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! ".
Wrapping up her heartfelt post, the mother-of-one said: "I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon! Please be kind. [white love heart emoji] #ibd #ibdawareness #ibdwarrior #stoma #stomalife #autoimmunedisease." Her followers swiftly showed their gratitude towards Louise for bringing visibility to living with a stoma bag.