Louise Thompson and her fiancé, Ryan Libbey, stepped out for a glamorous date night at The Royal Opera House on Saturday, attending the opening night of The Nutcracker. The couple, who share a four-year-old son named Leo, appeared happier than ever, arriving arm-in-arm for the special outing.
A Night of Glamour and Advocacy
For the evening, the 35-year-old former Made In Chelsea star looked chic in a sophisticated, long-sleeved red dress with a V-neck design. Meanwhile, Ryan, also 35, cut a handsome figure in a smart blue two-piece suit, which he paired with a crisp white shirt and a black tie.
The Hidden Battle Behind the Smiles
Behind the couple's public appearance lies a deeply personal and difficult journey. Louise has recently revealed that she will never be able to carry another child due to the severe birth trauma she suffered four years ago. During the birth of her son Leo in 2021, she nearly died and subsequently developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the horrific complications.
Her injuries are extensive and have had lasting consequences. They include developing Asherman's Syndrome, a condition where scar tissue causes the uterus to become 'glued' together. She has also endured worsening bowel problems and required emergency surgery after a post-natal haemorrhage. These medical issues collectively mean that she cannot carry another child.
From Personal Ordeal to National Campaign
Louise, who now campaigns passionately for women's health and maternity rights, has transformed her personal tragedy into a powerful force for change. After speaking about her ordeal to the Birth Trauma All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the summer, she teamed up with former Conservative MP Theo Clarke.
Together, Louise and Ms Clarke set up the APPG and led the first national inquiry into birth trauma. Their work is now escalating, as they prepare to launch a petition in just two weeks' time. The petition will call on the Government to appoint a dedicated commissioner to oversee maternity care. They hope to gather the 100,000 signatures required to trigger a Parliamentary debate on the issue.
Louise told reporters that a generation of women are being put off having children after reading horror stories about childbirth. 'It's something that a lot of people within my circle are talking about fairly regularly – the population problems we have,' she said. 'Thousands of women are crying out to me about this topic. Speaking on my own personal experience, I won't be able to carry another child. So immediately that puts us in a position where we are part of that problem now.'
