Louise Thompson Announces IVF Milestone After Health Battles
Television personality Louise Thompson has provided a significant update regarding her fertility journey, sharing a heartfelt gesture from her fiancé Ryan Libbey. The 35-year-old former Made In Chelsea star has been openly documenting her experiences on social media after revealing plans to expand her family, despite facing life-threatening complications during the birth of her son Leo in 2021.
Traumatic Birth Experience and Health Challenges
Following an emergency caesarean section that nearly claimed her life, Thompson endured post-traumatic stress disorder and post-natal anxiety. Her health struggles continued with diagnoses of Lupus and Asherman's syndrome, a second haemorrhage, and the necessity of a stoma bag. Earlier this year, the reality star disclosed her intention to pursue a second child through surrogacy, acknowledging the complex medical landscape she navigates.
IVF Progress and Emotional Support
Taking to Instagram on Friday, Thompson shared encouraging news about her fertility treatment, announcing that she and Libbey have successfully preserved one embryo through in vitro fertilization. She posted a photograph of a floral bouquet gifted by her partner, accompanied by a meaningful message: 'You did it. One in the freezer for safe keeps x.'
In her detailed caption, Thompson explained the profound significance behind this simple gesture. 'Inside that sentence is a universe,' she wrote, describing how Libbey's quiet support during challenging moments provided essential reassurance. She elaborated on the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatment, mentioning weeks of injections, numerous scans, waiting rooms, and countless tears.
The Complex Journey to Preservation
Thompson detailed the statistical realities of their IVF process, noting that from an initial observation of over twenty promising follicles, they retrieved eight eggs, ultimately resulting in a single viable embryo. 'One embryo. One possibility,' she reflected, acknowledging this outcome fell short of ideal expectations given her medical profile.
The television personality emphasized the educational aspect of fertility treatment, describing how she immersed herself in research and statistics, learning what she termed 'a whole new language' in pursuit of their family goals. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for this milestone, stating it represented 'a chapter where something worked' and served as an acceptable starting point.
Partner's Perspective and Future Plans
During a recent appearance on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, Thompson revealed that while she desires to provide Leo with a sibling, her partner experiences significant anxiety about expanding their family. Libbey reportedly fears potential regression in Thompson's mental health and the possibility of returning to the traumatic circumstances surrounding Leo's birth.
Thompson acknowledged these concerns while affirming their shared desire to grow their family, stating: 'Growing our family is our legacy and our right.' She reflected on how her traumatic birth experience altered their reproductive journey, noting that while many couples can leave conception to chance, their path requires medical intervention due to physical scarring and health complications.
The reality star concluded her Instagram post with poignant words: 'One in the freezer. One in our hearts x,' capturing both the medical achievement and emotional significance of this fertility milestone.
