Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt has bravely shared the heartbreaking news that she suffered a miscarriage after the birth of her son, leading her to make the emotional decision not to have any more children.
A Painful Loss and a Difficult Decision
The 35-year-old television personality, who found fame with her family on Channel 4's Gogglebox, welcomed her son Jude with partner Scott Dobinson in 2023. However, in a candid interview with The Sun, Scarlett revealed that the couple experienced a devastating loss when she miscarried last year.
The miscarriage occurred "quite late on," she explained, after they had already shared their joyful pregnancy news with loved ones. The couple had begun to imagine a future for their growing family, making the loss profoundly painful. "We had talked about what life would be like, how they would run down the stairs together as siblings at Christmas, so you mourn the loss of that and the life you imagined," Scarlett said emotionally.
This experience led to a pivotal conversation with Scott. "I was lying in bed with Scott one day, and I said: 'I just don't think I can handle the heartbreak any more. I think we should stop. We've got Jude, so let's enjoy him'," she recounted. While acknowledging the bravery of those who continue trying, Scarlett expressed her deep empathy for anyone going through similar pain, calling the experience "soul-destroying."
Gratitude for NHS Care After a Traumatic Birth
Scarlett's journey to motherhood with Jude was also fraught with challenges. She has previously spoken about his traumatic early arrival and her own serious health complications during labour.
Speaking on ITV's Loose Women last year, she detailed a birth that deviated sharply from her plan. She experienced "significant blood loss" of around one and a half litres, requiring a transfusion she had hoped to avoid. This left her feeling "really woozy." Meanwhile, baby Jude was born at just 35 weeks and five days, a full month early, and faced immediate health issues including hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and jaundice, requiring care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Scarlett has consistently expressed her profound gratitude for the medical staff who supported them. During NICU Awareness Month, she took to Instagram to thank the team at Durham Hospital, specifically naming nurses Helen and Charlotte. She has also partnered with WaterWipes on their Pure Foundation Fund, which recognises individuals and teams who provide exceptional care for premature babies and those in NICU.
Building a New Family Dynamic
Despite the heartache, Scarlett's family life is now focused on joy with her two-year-old son and her fiancé, former policeman Scott Dobinson. The couple got engaged in 2023, shortly after Jude's birth, and plan to marry next year.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Scarlett revealed a thoughtful arrangement that allows them both to bond with their son. After taking two years off work to be a "full-time mum," she returned to television, at which point Scott took a two-year career break from the police to become a stay-at-home dad. "He's now in full-time dad mode, which is lovely. We're somehow managing because of that, and we've got great grandparents too," she explained.
While the dream of expanding their family has been painfully closed, Scarlett Moffatt's story is one of resilience, immense gratitude for the NHS, and the redefining of happiness with her "little miracle baby" Jude at its centre.
If you've been affected by this story, support is available from the Miscarriage Association on 0303 003 6464 or by emailing info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk.
