BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin says 'it burst' as she shares 'traumatic' health condition

The former BBC presenter revealed it had taken her nine months to recover

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin has recounted a harrowing ordeal in hospital, which left her fearing for her life just days after giving birth. The 56 year old journalist, who left the morning show in 2021, is a mother to two daughters, Mia and Scarlett.

Louise opened up about the distressing time following the birth of her first child, Mia, revealing that she later sought counselling for the 'traumatic' event. Speaking candidly on Gabby Logan's The Mid-Point podcast, Louise described how, a week after Mia's arrival, she suffered from a burst appendix.

Louise expressed disbelief at the 'ridiculous' timing of her appendix bursting while she was already in the hospital, uncertain whether it was related to her pregnancy. She added: "It was my first pregnancy so I didn't know. I kept telling them that I had this pain, but they just thought, 'It was your body, you're having this baby, what do you expect?'"

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Recalling the frightening episode, she said: "Literally six days after she was born and it burst while I was in hospital and it was very dramatic and very traumatic."

Louise concluded by sharing that the fear of dying shortly after her daughter's birth was the reason she sought professional help. Louise previously revealed that she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after her appendix burst, requiring several months for recovery.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2013, the I'm A Celebrity star shared: "After coming out of hospital, I was still in pain. I'd sleep for hours and was in lots of pain. It took nine months to recover.

"At the time, I called the scars my M25. I'm glad to say that after 11 years, the M25 is looking better. It's still there, but there aren't so many bumps any more!

"Although the scare didn't put me off having more children, I delayed it. But the birth of my second was a breeze. It was lucky it all happened after Mia was born. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had been pregnant.

"It changed me, but I'm more positive now. When something like that happens, it gives you a different perspective."