This Morning star and wellness influencer Alice Liveing has opened up about a frightening health scare she experienced following the birth of her first child, urging other new mothers to be vigilant about their post-partum health.
A Frightening Post-Partum Experience
The 32-year-old TV presenter, who welcomed her baby daughter with husband Patrick Murphy last month, was rushed to hospital after noticing 'unusual bleeding' several weeks after giving birth. Alice described her initial birth experience as 'wild' and happening in the 'most unexpected way', a story she has promised to share with her followers in full at a later date.
In a candid series of Instagram stories, the ITV personality revealed she had been diagnosed with 'retained products' after visiting her GP for a scan. 'Not the news I wanted today, but want to share in case it's helpful or makes anyone else get theirs checked,' she wrote to her 675,000 followers.
Recognising the Warning Signs
Alice provided specific details about her symptoms to help other mothers identify potential issues, describing her bleeding as 'bright, bright red with large clots' starting from around 25 days post-birth. She emphasised the importance of not dismissing such changes as normal.
'It's these 'little things' you always try and write off as being normal post having a baby that it can be worth getting checked,' she explained. The health and wellbeing expert also highlighted a crucial gap in postnatal care, noting she was 'sadly outside of the 28-day window' to receive immediate triage care from the hospital, necessitating the GP visit route instead.
Balancing Motherhood and Recovery
Despite this health challenge, Alice is gradually returning to work while navigating the demands of early motherhood. 'I've needed to take this time to really survive the last few weeks, but now I'd love a focus of trying to achieve some baby steps towards bringing a bit of work back in,' she shared.
She has been remarkably honest about the realities of adjusting to life with a newborn, admitting that even simple intentions like going for a morning walk have proven 'so much harder' than anticipated. The adjustment has been further complicated by her husband Paddy returning to work after his two-week paternity leave.
Nevertheless, Alice remains focused on cherishing these early moments, writing: 'I don't want to ever look back and regret not soaking up every second of her being this tiny and squishy.' She hopes her experience reassures other new mothers that 'slowing down is ok' and encourages them to 'lean in to the cosy days'.
What Does the NHS Say About Postpartum Bleeding?
According to official NHS guidance, it is normal to bleed 'quite heavily' from the vagina after giving birth, with the bleeding continuing for several weeks while gradually turning brown and decreasing. However, the health service specifically advises women to tell their midwife if they're 'losing blood in large clots' as they may require treatment.
By sharing her personal story, Alice Liveing continues her mission to promote open conversations about women's health, turning a personal scare into an important awareness-raising moment for new mothers everywhere.
