Sam Thompson has emotionally revealed he is undergoing therapy to process the traumatic events surrounding his sister Louise Thompson's near-fatal childbirth experience. The I'm A Celebrity winner fought back tears while recounting the harrowing ordeal on a podcast, describing it as one of the worst experiences of his life.
The Life-Threatening Birth Ordeal
Louise Thompson nearly died three times following the emergency caesarean birth of her son Leo in 2021. The initial birth complication was followed by a terrifying haemorrhage at home, with Sam receiving an urgent call from his mother while attending the ITV Palooza event. "I was quite drunk and it was 11pm," Sam recalled. "I managed to sneak into Chelsea hospital during post-Covid lockdowns and found Ryan, Louise's partner, on the floor in the room. That was one of the worst experiences of my entire life."
Multiple Medical Crises
The trauma continued as doctors struggled to control the bleeding. "I remember the doctor came in twice and said we can't stop the bleeding," Sam revealed. "That was something I will never ever forget." Beyond the initial birth trauma, Louise developed sepsis in her stomach two years later, requiring emergency colon removal surgery. "She turned round and said, 'Get it out.' The bravery of that was out of this world," Sam said of his sister's decision.
Ongoing Health Battles and Advocacy
Louise has since been diagnosed with multiple serious conditions including PTSD, post-natal anxiety, Lupus, and Asherman's syndrome. She has also required a stoma bag following her medical emergencies. The Made in Chelsea star has transformed her personal trauma into advocacy, recently sharing unseen clips from her birth ordeal and calling for a meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Campaigning for Maternity Reform
Louise has joined forces with former Conservative MP Theo Clarke to establish the Birth Trauma All-Party Parliamentary Group. Their campaign calls for:
- The appointment of a national maternity commissioner
- Implementation of 748 existing recommendations from past inquiries
- Standardised care across all maternity services
- A national maternity strategy to address "shockingly poor quality" services
Their parliamentary inquiry heard evidence from more than 1,300 women who described being left in blood-covered sheets for hours and dismissed by medical staff. Louise has launched a petition seeking 100,000 signatures to force parliamentary debate on maternity care reform.
Family Impact and Therapy Journey
Sam praised both his sister's incredible strength and partner Ryan's resilience during the crises. "That man was holding the whole ship together," Sam said of Ryan, who cared for their infant son while Louise fought for her life. "I really did struggle actually," Sam admitted, revealing he hasn't properly processed the events. "I go to therapy a bit, we haven't even hit that part yet."
The television personality concluded with heartfelt praise for his sister: "She is the kindest most empathetic person. She feels everything and works tirelessly to help others." Louise's injuries mean she cannot carry another child, adding further emotional weight to her campaign for improved maternity services across the UK.
