Lucky: Learning to Live Again

by Louise Thompson

How do you learn to live again when you've danced with death?

Louise’s road to having a baby was far from easy, suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage during her first pregnancy and being caught in a terrifying house fire in her second. But her troubles were far from over when she gave birth. During an emergency c-section, she had severe complications and fought for her life over a number of days, whilst her son was taken into NICU. This terrifying experience impacted on Louise's mental health in a way that completely changed her life, as she has battled to come to terms with what happened to her, whilst also becoming a mother.

As Louise has rebuilt herself step by step, she has reflected back on her past – from her childhood and dynamics with her family, to her struggles with alcohol and toxic relationships, as well as the rollercoaster years of her time on Made in Chelsea.

Louise’s experience has changed the way she sees the world and redefined what's important to her. Although it has been a challenging journey, she is determined to come out more alive than ever. Louise’s powerful story, told with raw honesty, shows the incredible human ability to overcome anything, no matter what life throws at you.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Brogan Tate]

I started listening to Louise’s podcast episode with Jamie Laing but I knew I needed more details before continuing. I listened to the audiobook version of Lucky and had no idea what I was going in for. I loved her on Made In Chelsea and knew she had been suffering with her health, but I did not know the extent of her birth trauma and experience.

I actually found it really difficult to listen to at times. Louise shares many details about her traumatic birth experience, mental health following childbirth and PTSD that occurred for almost two years. Some people may find it difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less worth reading. Please check the trigger warnings first. It’s raw, emotional, and authentic, but I know her story will be healing for many people who have had similar experiences. I wish her good health and healing.

[Ellie Heffernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audio for this one, which I enjoyed. Her cadence and accent is lovely to listen to. What a story. So much health trauma for one person and makes me appreciate by own birth experience. Quite repetitive towards the second half but I don’t think you can really tell someone how to tell their story.

[Sophie Simon · Rating 1 out of 5]

What Louise went through sounds terrible but she rambles on for too long in each chapter and was quite frankly boring. I flicked through the last 25% because it was just more of the same rambling.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring, moving, tragic story that has left me feeling so many emotions. I think that to be able to tell her story so articulately and so frankly is extremely admirable.
I have never gone through anything NEARLY as traumatic as her but this memoir was by far the most realistic and relatable portrayal of the debilitating impact that anxiety and trauma has on every aspect of your life that I have ever read - I can’t even begin to imagine how empowered and heard other women who’ve experienced birth trauma and PND feel after reading this.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredibly moving story. It made me reflect on the NHS as a system and I felt so deeply disappointed to know that Louise had been utterly let down by the staff leading her care. This eye opening story was so raw and honest, truly heartbreaking. What a strong and inspirational woman.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

a memoir from former MICer louise thompson, with the major focus being on the extremely traumatic birth of her son. she has been through A LOT and writes with real honesty for something so harrowing. 3 stars for the style primarily, i think there is room for more creativity/flair with memoirs even on such a tough subject. i’d recommend this to anyone interested in the health space also, as this really hits home the need to advocate for yourself. if you have spent a lot of time in NHS hospitals i don’t think this will be so shocking. also, i would love to read another MIC memoir as i enjoyed her shedding some light on one of the first constructed reality shows!

[Shakira Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I chose audiobook as my way of reading this. Parts of it were so shocking that I kept having to rewind to make sure I’d heard properly. Clearly there was a lot of human error made throughout Louise Thompson’s case but never has a story served more as proof that the NHS is understaffed, underfunded, and overwhelmed. I hope both make a full recovery.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing one of Louise’s interviews on TV, I was shocked by what she had faced in relation to her birth. This book goes into that in much more depth and really shows how in tatters the UK healthcare system is and just how one life event really can change everything.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be honest I was a Made in Chelsea fan when it originally started but wouldn’t have been following any of the original cast’s stories in recent years, but when news broke of what happened to Louise during and after the birth of her child Leo I was horrified. I knew her book would be a must read/listen.

Louise was a young, healthy, white woman, who should have had a textbook delivery. Her partner and father of her child is 6 foot 3 and she is quite petite so she had requested consistently for an elective caesarean as she said herself she couldn’t imagine delivering this baby vaginally. She was told repeatedly no, she was low risk and this wouldn’t be necessary for her. They even went as far as suggesting she should have a home birth and she was the perfect candidate . Thankfully she didn’t agree to this as who knows what would have happened to her and her baby. When it came to the delivery, it was via emergency section. Leo was taken to NICU and Louise suffered a severe rupture which the medical team operated for 3 hours to stop her haemorrhaging. She was completely awake during this and not under general anaesthetic. After she was discharged and went home she face another haemorrhaging and needed another emergency surgery, eventhough before she was discharged a CT scan had shown and noted a medical emergency.

This story isn’t about bashing the NHS, the medical negligence or the inconsistency of care, the lost opportunities to bond with her newborn and how her relationship with Ryan barely survived. She faced a lot of trauma within a short window: a miscarriage, a house fire and the birth. She has called this book Lucky, as on reflection she knows she has been incredibly lucky to survive this trauma, to have been in a first world country and to have the resources and means to fund all the different therapies she’s explored and survived on.
It’s a heart wrenching read/listen. She doesn’t sugarcoat or sanitise the details, as she says there’s no point telling this story if she doesn’t share it warts and all.

[Claire Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to Lucky: Learning to Live Again by Louise Thompson and have given it five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heartbreaking. Raw. Brave. Honest. Emotional.
A truly shocking, life-changing experience.

My first ever audiobook experience was a tragically sad listen however, I am so glad I read it this way as it was narrated by Louise Thompson herself, so it hit even harder. Listening to her describe everything that happened moved me so much. Her pure honesty and graphic detailing was difficult to hear but equally I think it is such an important story to tell. I know that this will help many women who might have been or going through a similar situation.

Learning about Louise’s upbringing, boarding school days and Made in Chelsea days was really interesting too as it gave you more of an inside scope about her life and others around her.

I have followed Louise for quite a while now and only knew a minimal amount of her terrifying experience, until now. A brave, strong and resilient woman who I believe will keep fighting to overcome anything that might be thrown her way.

Mental health is so important and the way Louise speaks about her difficulties, trauma and PTSD which not only brought tears to my eyes but by how open and honest she was about her struggles made me realise just how much more of an inspiration she truly is. She wants to help so many women and I know she will touch so many lives and will continue to help wherever she can.

Louise’s story will stay with me in years to come.

Louise, you have come so far and should be so proud of yourself 🤍

[Cassandra Marie Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story and what happened though is really harrowing and just shows the strain and negligence which is happening in our health care. Louise was absolutely robbed of her newborn and ultimately made the sacrifice of her health and well being just to get day to day.

I would however get a different editor next time as the execution on this book is poor, Listened to this on audible. Was robotic and forced, it was hard to read when it shouldn't have been. The start as well we didn't need a back story, what you were trying to convey was enough.

[Laura | What's Hot? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sped through this audiobook in one day. I followed Louise’s journey on Made in Chelsea throughout and on social media long after. Hearing her traumatising birth story and the health complications that followed thereafter was tough, but it highlights the worrying deficiencies in England’s health system when it comes to women’s health, making this an important read. It’s not the most polished story, but it’s honest and raw and I couldn’t stop listening. I only hope Louise’s health issues are behind her!

[Darcie Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cried through most of this. Although our traumas are quite different medically, I found Louise’s raw account of her experiences soo relatable and hard hitting. It brought up so many of my own heavy feelings but at the same time reminded me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. A really good read for anyone, especially those working in the NHS or who have experienced something traumatic.

One star taken off because it was slightly repetitive, but cant cast any criticism to the way someone tells their own story. Also loved her voice in the audiobook. Narration should be her next career path!

[Beth J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've followed Louise ever since she started on Made in Chelsea and all throughout her recovery that she's shared online, but to really hear about everything she's been through was shocking and horrifying as these arent the stories youre used to hearing about. It's incredible how she has veen recovering and felt brave enough to share her story with us, as well as wanting to do so much to help others who have had similar experiences.

[Jessica Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of auto/biographies but I purely read it as I’m a big MIC fan. It’s heartbreaking to read about all that she has gone through, and I truly wish her well. I really feel for her being a mum to a young boy as well. A very emotional read, however just not for me.

[Tabitha]

what an incredible strong women. a harrowing yet eye opening story of Louise’s experience of childbirth and the aftermath, definitely a recommended read even if you’re not a Made in Chelsea fan

[Kirstie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very raw, honest emotion that I think would really support mother’s (and father’s) who have experienced childbirth trauma.

[Chloe Morton]

Raw, truthful and unputdownable. Very well written and an important insight into the affects of PTSD and PND.

[Alison Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly open and honest, Louise has been through so much. A well written and eloquent account of everything she has been through since giving birth to her son, Leo.

[Kira Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves made in Chelsea and Louise this has a really interesting book to listen to. However, listening to everything Louise has been through has been really heartbreaking. She truly is a strong woman.

[Aimee Willyeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely to be read with caution as covers a lot of sensitive topics. What an amazing woman to over come so much, and to talk about it in so much detail

[Cristina Micallef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise 💔 I am so sorry the health system let you down and I’m so sorry you were robbed of the first weeks of the newborn bubble, and so much more.
This book was so well written. Please read your trigger warnings before reading.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook for this one. Very honest and heartbreaking

[Caylin Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tough but vulnerable read - I related a lot to some of her early parenting struggles and as an OG made in Chelsea fan i enjoyed it.

[Maddie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to Louise’s podcast with Jamie Laing, and it made me so emotional that I knew I needed to hear her discuss the full story and understand the horror that she went through. This was raw and beautifully written/read and a really eye opening story. Absolutely heartbreaking everything she had to go through and I’m in awe of her determination to get well again.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Det som skjedde med Louise Thompson er heftig å lese om. Man blir veldig beveget, og særlig siden jeg fort ble glad i henne i boken. Jeg kjente ikke til henne fra før. Hun skriver lett og rett frem, og forteller mer enn hun maler. Det hindrer ikke at man blir grepet, og boken kan være vanskelig å legge fra seg. Den er ærlig, og jeg likte tonen i det hun forteller. Tusen takk til henne for at hun har skrevet om dette.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inhaled this. Louise is such an incredibly brave woman. I can’t fathom what she’s been through, and to be able to articulate it so well and so honestly is astonishing. She’s been through hell and back, and still feels lucky.
Truly one of the most honest and harrowing reads I’ve had in a long, long time.

[Millie Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never watched made in Chelsea but was aware that Louise Thompson had experienced a very traumatic birth and PTSD, and since I’ve experienced trauma of my own, I wanted to read this book. This book was fascinating, harrowing and so hopeful, and read (listened) to the whole book in one evening. Thompson also states towards the end of the book that she never thought of herself as a writer, but she definitely is, and an amazing one at that. Again, this was something I could also relate to, as writing has also helped me with my own mental health and processing trauma. Would recommend but obvs trigger warnings throughout!

[Caroline Croezen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story. So so honest. What a horrific trauma to have to go through in a maternity hospital. When are hospitals going to prioritise the health of the mother as well as the baby? Really triggered my own awful experience of an emergency c section, believing you were dying and no one to tell you otherwise, no one communicating with you, no one telling you your baby who was whisked away is alive, no one to even tell you if it was a boy or a girl. Louise's experience was obviously way way worse but it's so awful in this day and age to be getting such poor care and for it to happen so often. Wishing Louise all the best in her recovery.

[Christine Le Tessier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I never watched Made in Chelsea but somehow randomly started following Louise years ago on Instagram when she became pregnant, and have followed her pregnancy and postpartum journey for years. This is such a wonderful story of hope and survival but of course it is absolutely horrific and devastating to hear what she has experienced along with many other people. Women’s health is such a passion of mine and I hope lots of health practitioners read this and really learn that we need to do better for women. This book is also a great read for anyone with complex mental and physical chronic illness. A very interesting listen and worthwhile read.