Louise Thompson has said she and her partner Ryan Libbey are finally ready to expand their family, four years after a traumatic birth that almost killed her. The former Made In Chelsea star, 35, appeared on ITV's This Morning on Tuesday to provide a surrogacy update, revealing that while the couple are exploring all options, Ryan has struggled emotionally with the decision.
Thompson nearly lost her life while delivering son Leo in November 2021, requiring an emergency caesarean section after the baby's head became trapped. Doctors spent over three hours controlling a haemorrhage, with Thompson losing three-and-a-half litres of blood from a torn womb. She later endured prolonged hospital stays and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking to presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Thompson said: 'Ryan and I are in a really good spot. We have obviously been through something traumatic, but four years on we are ready to move forward.' She added that the experience had taken a 'physical toll, a mental toll, a toll on the entire family unit and relationship we had'.
Ryan Libbey admitted that surrogacy still does not feel 'quite right in my heart', but acknowledged that his partner deserves a chance to grow their family safely. 'That first year was so traumatic, it's taken us a long time to get back to the position now,' he said. Thompson noted that surrogacy is a complex process involving counselling, legal work, and potentially going abroad.
The couple have also had a conversation about womb transplants, but Thompson said certain options are 'not available to her' due to her birth experience. She emphasised that surrogacy is a route for those with 'no other options', and that she feels grateful to those who make it possible. The update comes after Thompson had a 'lifesaving' stoma bag fitted last year following a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
