Television presenter Stacey Dooley has bravely shared the harrowing details of her life-threatening ectopic pregnancy experience during a recent podcast interview, revealing the emotional and physical trauma she endured during the medical emergency.
Emergency Surgery and Internal Bleeding
The 38-year-old documentary maker, who shares three-year-old daughter Minnie with partner Kevin Clifton, described being rushed for immediate surgery after suffering from internal bleeding last year. Speaking on Amy Jackson Westwick's What's The Tea, Amy? podcast, Dooley explained she had kept the experience private for months because discussing it would trigger overwhelming emotion.
'I fell pregnant last year, and it didn't go brilliantly,' Dooley revealed. 'I couldn't talk about it for such a long time without bursting into floods of tears. But now I can. It was ectopic and it was all dramatic.'
Liverpool Hospital Experience
The medical emergency occurred in Liverpool, where Dooley was treated at Liverpool Women's Hospital. She recalled the frightening moments before surgery when medical staff discovered she was bleeding internally.
'Everything was quite dramatic and it was like "you're bleeding internally" and I had to go for immediate surgery,' she explained. 'I remember I was lying on the bed, about to go under, because it was all going terribly, and the nurse joked "here love have some Scouse air" as she put the mask on and I knew I was in capable hands.'
Dooley praised the hospital staff and environment, noting that Liverpool Women's Hospital is 'renowned for being absolutely amazing.'
Understanding Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy represents a serious medical condition where an embryo implants and grows outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. This life-threatening situation stands as the leading cause of maternal death during the first trimester of pregnancy in the United Kingdom.
The condition affects approximately one in eighty pregnancies annually across the UK, with at least twelve thousand women receiving diagnoses each year. However, anecdotal evidence suggests the actual figure may exceed thirty thousand cases annually.
Previous Emotional Disclosure
This isn't the first time Dooley has discussed her pregnancy loss publicly. During a recent episode of her television series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, she broke down in tears while reflecting on the experience.
While spending time with Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, Britain's first legally recognised gay father and commercial surrogacy advocate, Dooley found herself emotionally overwhelmed. Speaking privately to the camera, she confessed: 'I have experienced what it is like to struggle to have a child. I am so sorry because this is so predictable. I am sat here crying on a bed. It was ectopic and it was really difficult.'
Contrasting Pregnancy Experiences
Dooley's traumatic ectopic pregnancy experience stands in stark contrast to how she discovered she was expecting her daughter Minnie. During a previous interview on the Dish from Waitrose podcast, she described the 'chaotic' moment she learned about that pregnancy.
In her book Dear Minnie, which features heartfelt letters to her toddler, Dooley detailed purchasing a pregnancy test from Selfridges' chemist section. 'The way I found out wasn't beautifully calm. It was quite chaotic,' she admitted, describing taking the test in a busy public toilet while a queue formed outside.
The documentary maker recalled immediately sharing the news with partner Kevin Clifton via FaceTime while he was conducting an interview with a radio microphone attached. 'There was nothing glossy about finding out,' she laughed during the podcast appearance.
Relationship Background
Dooley and Clifton first met in 2018 when paired together on Strictly Come Dancing. The couple went on to win the series and later confirmed their romantic relationship. They currently reside together in Nottingham with their daughter Minnie.
Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms and Statistics
Medical experts note that ectopic pregnancy symptoms typically develop within the first four to twelve weeks of pregnancy. Warning signs include:
- Pain low down on one side of the abdomen
- Vaginal bleeding
- Pain in the tip of the shoulder
- Discomfort during urination or bowel movements
- Brown watery discharge
- Pale skin and sweating
According to the 2022 MBRRACE Report, ectopic pregnancy remains the most frequent cause of maternal death during early pregnancy in the UK. The condition can never result in a viable pregnancy, making early detection and treatment crucial for patient safety.
Dooley's decision to share her personal experience publicly brings attention to this serious medical condition that affects thousands of women annually across the United Kingdom.
