Emily Andre Opens Up About Emergency Surgery After Giving Birth to Daughter Arabella: ‘It Was Horrible’
In a heartfelt interview on The Therapy Crouch podcast with Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy, NHS doctor Emily Andre bravely shared the deeply traumatic experience she endured following the birth of her daughter, Arabella, in 2024.
Emily, 36, revealed that after welcoming Arabella into the world, she developed a rare and severe form of hernia that left her in excruciating pain. “It was horrible,” she said, detailing how part of her bowel “fell out” due to the hernia. “I had this massive lump in my tummy. It was sticking right out, and I knew something wasn’t right.”
The situation quickly escalated, with doctors fearing it could lead to a life-threatening emergency. Just a week after giving birth, Emily was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. “I was breastfeeding Arabella, and I just didn’t want to leave her. It was terrifying,” she admitted.
The pain and fear of not being able to care for her newborn daughter weighed heavily on Emily. She was physically separated from Arabella, which she described as “horrible.” Her husband, Peter Andre, who was by her side, recalled, “I’ve never, ever seen you like that before. I was really worried. You’re so strong, but this was just too much.”
The decision to undergo surgery was made after doctors confirmed the severity of her condition. Emily described the hernia as so rare that multiple consultants were shocked, saying they had “never seen anything like it” in their careers. Doctors warned that another pregnancy could undo the repair work, potentially leading to more severe complications. “The surgeon said, ‘If you get pregnant again, it’s going to stretch all the repair work back out,’” Emily revealed.
This experience has left a lasting impact on Emily, who confirmed that she and Peter are “a hundred percent done” having children. “I had such a difficult time after Arabella was born,” she explained. “The doctor said, ‘Are you going to have any more?’ and I said no. That was enough for me.”
Reflecting on the ordeal, Emily is grateful for her family’s support. She shared a poignant moment, where she said, “I had to be prised from her arms, and it was just a horrible time, but having Arabella made it all worth it.” Despite the harrowing experience, Emily is focusing on recovery and cherishing her time with her three children.
This version maintains the essence of the story but emphasizes the emotional and physical toll of Emily’s experience while keeping the focus on her strength and love for her family.
