Lauren Goodger heartbreakingly marked her daughter Lorena’s ‘heavenly birthday’ in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
The TOWIE star, 39, gave birth to her second daughter Lorena in July 2022, but she sadly passed away just minutes after she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck.
Lauren and her eldest daughter Larose, who turns five this month, celebrated Lorena’s birthday with balloons and a cake.
The television personality split from her partner Charles Drury after the tragedy but they have a good co-parenting relationship.
She penned: ‘Today marks my anniversary that will always be in my heart. Four years ago today, I gave birth to my beautiful Lorena. Happy 4th Heavenly Birthday, my angel.
‘Even though your little sister, Larose, doesn’t fully understand, she thinks it’s part of her birthday in 2 weeks she still helps us celebrate every year by letting off balloons, lighting candles, and enjoying cake. It’s her own special way.
Lauren Goodger heartbreakingly marked her daughter Lorena’s ‘heavenly birthday’ in an Instagram post on Wednesday
The TOWIE star, 39, gave birth to her second daughter Lorena in July 2022, but she sadly passed away just minutes after she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck
‘Thank you to everyone who has messaged, commented, called, or reached out today. Your love, support, and kind words mean more than I can ever put into words.
‘Thank you to @vickidrake_ for hosting a lovely dinner for me and Larose and having us over ..we forever greatful x
‘I trust Lorena and Larose to continue guiding me with love and strength every day.
‘You are forever loved, forever missed, and forever a part of us. Happy Heavenly Birthday, my beautiful girl.’
Lauren relived the moment she realised something was terribly wrong while in labour, during her appearance on This Morning on Wednesday.
She had planned for a natural water birth, to be carried out at her Essex home under the supervision of her midwife Tamzin – who had previously delivered Larose.
Her waters broke on July 6 and initial vitals were normal, with Lauren deemed ‘low risk’ after giving birth to her first child without issue.
Further tests were carried out the following day, during which the unborn child’s heartbeat was detected, but when her contractions began on day three the heart was no longer beating, and Lauren was rushed to hospital.
Lauren said: ‘The contractions just weren’t starting and I stayed at home because it was the best place. I was advised to stay.
‘It’s like a blur because everything was quite calm at the beginning, then panic as the midwife, who I had before, couldn’t find a heartbeat. That was a panic.
Lauren and her eldest daughter Larose, who turns five this month, celebrated Lorena’s birthday with balloons and a cake
She penned: ‘Today marks my anniversary that will always be in my heart. Four years ago today, I gave birth to my beautiful Lorena. Happy 4th Heavenly Birthday, my angel’
‘It’s like a blur because everything was quite calm at the beginning, then panic as the midwife, who I had before, couldn’t find a heartbeat. That was a panic.
‘When I did finally go into labour, the oxygen levels were lost and I was rushed in an ambulance. I turned up to the nearest hospital, they weren’t expecting me as it was the nearest one.’
Following a two hour birth more than ten doctors desperately fought to save Lorena by performing chest compressions and administering adrenalin, but to no avail.
Lauren said: ‘Unfortunately she just died due to oxygen loss.’
The reality star said in the years afterwards she has been in ‘flight or fight’.
She said: ‘My body, everything changed. I was in flight or fight. I have powered through as a single mum. I hope I can make my daughter proud.’
If you have been affected by anything in this article, please contact the UK Child Bereavement line on 0800 02 888 40 or The Lullaby Trust on 0808 8026868
