Louise Thompson has shared a poignant throwback photo of the moment she met her newborn son Leo in hospital, three years after a traumatic birth that almost killed her. The former Made In Chelsea star posted the image on Instagram on Thursday, showing her in a hospital gown and face mask, cradling baby Leo while seated in a wheelchair, with her partner Ryan Libbey by her side.
Thompson, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after the birth in 2021, revealed she had 'major attachment issues' with her son initially but is now 'doing really well'. She admitted feeling 'blindsided' and 'detached' from reality after giving birth, but said she is now '99% good'.
The reality star explained that her camera roll after birth was 'atypical', filled with pictures of her 'battle wounds' rather than her baby. She wrote: 'Here is the moment I met Leo for the first time. I can’t quite believe that I managed to conjure up a smile for a photo.'
Thompson shared the post to mark Maternal Mental Health Week, aiming to raise awareness of perinatal mental health problems. She encouraged followers to share their own experiences in the comments, saying: 'I think you’ll be surprised by how many people DIDN’T find it a walk in the park.'
Last month, Thompson revealed she had a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis, diagnosed in 2018. She concluded her post by calling for 'more funding' for those struggling with mental health conditions.
