England and Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns has courageously spoken about the miscarriage she suffered last month, describing it as a "four days of hell in hospital" that left her fighting for her life due to sepsis.
A Devastating Loss
The 25-year-old Lionesses star, who is in a relationship with Luton Town player Liam Walsh, first announced her pregnancy on March 1. However, later that month, she tragically lost the baby in heartbreaking and terrifying circumstances. Kearns has now decided to share her story to raise awareness about miscarriage and to thank those who supported her and Walsh through the ordeal.
In an interview with ITV, Kearns credited Villa club doctor Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein with saving her life. She recalled the shocking moment when her condition deteriorated rapidly. "It was one of the biggest shocks of my life. I thought it was just like a pregnancy symptom, and the doctor came in and checked my temperature. I was 42 degrees, but I was shaking," she said.
Despite having been to the hospital days earlier and being told everything was fine, Kearns initially resisted returning. But the doctor insisted she call Walsh, who was resting after a night game. "We went to the hospital, and that's when we found out that straight away, we had lost the baby and that I'd got sepsis. So, it was difficult, like it was a shock, because I'd literally been doing Pilates and gym an hour before, and my whole life just changed like that," she added.
Breaking the Stigma
Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body's overreaction to an infection, can damage tissue and organs. Kearns hopes that speaking publicly about her loss will help break the stigma surrounding miscarriage. "You actually feel like you're the only person it's ever happened to. But really, it's so common, and that's why I think it's important that the message is out there and don't feel alone," she said.
She emphasised the emotional toll of miscarriage, describing it as a "different type of grief." "I think people might not realise how much of a toll it actually has on someone. I think obviously everyone knows how hard it must be to lose a child, but because of the highs of finding out you're pregnant, and the stress of being pregnant, and the worries of getting past the 12 week mark... to then have that crash, and then suddenly you're not pregnant, and your hormones change, your symptoms start to go overnight. I think it's a different type of grief. It's not something that I've ever experienced before," she explained.
Return to Football
Kearns has not played for Villa since January and is now focusing on her mental and physical recovery with the aim of returning this summer. Having made her England debut last year and earned three caps for the Lionesses, she is determined to be part of the squad for next year's World Cup in Brazil under manager Sarina Wiegman.
"I do know that being back in football, it's my happy place, and I'm here now, and I'm excited to be here and like, keep trying to build and build and get myself right ready for next season," she said. "I want to come back in pre-season and be back to the Missy Bo everyone knows who's smiling, happy, winding people up non-stop. And I think it's a big year next year, and my plan while I was pregnant was to make the World Cup squad, and that's not changed."
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at the Miscarriage Association. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk.
