‘Four days of hell in hospital’ – Kearns on miscarriage

Aston Villa’s England international Missy Bo Kearns has endured a challenging medical journey this season, including a miscarriage and a life-threatening case of sepsis. The midfielder, who revealed her pregnancy on 1 March, experienced a profound setback when she lost the baby just days later. Speaking to ITV News, Kearns described the emotional toll of the situation, highlighting how quickly her life changed.

A harrowing hospital ordeal

Kearns first noticed her symptoms at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground on 18 March. She consulted the club’s sports doctor, Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein, who later played a crucial role in her care. “It was one of the biggest shocks of my life,” Kearns said in a

It was one of the biggest shocks of my life. I thought it was just like a pregnancy symptom, and the doctor came in and checked my temperature… I was 42 degrees, but I was shaking.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the diagnosis came swiftly: the baby had been lost, and Kearns was battling sepsis. “We went through three, four days of hell in hospital, the two of us, up in Birmingham,” she added. “I don’t think we realized how much we went through until now.” Kearns credited Dr. Blackadder-Weinstein for insisting she seek immediate medical attention, a decision that likely saved her life.

Rebuilding strength and resilience

Despite the trauma, Kearns has since returned to Villa’s training ground, engaging with teammates and working to restore her fitness. However, she admits the emotional impact remains significant. “I wouldn’t say I’m fully coping,” she said. “There are days like today where I feel good, I’ve been in and around the [Aston Villa] girls and stuff, I’ve done my bike, I’ve done my testing, like, ready to get back on to it. But yesterday, I was upset all day because I got some news about the things we have to sort and it just comes and goes in waves.”

Kearns acknowledged that grief manifests uniquely for each person but emphasized the value of sharing her experience. She highlighted Tommy’s, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, as a vital support network. “Football is my happy place, and I’m here now, and I’m excited to be here and keep trying to build and build and get myself right ready for next season,” she said. “It’s a big year next year, and my plan while I was pregnant was to make the World Cup squad, and that’s not changed.”

Future goals and reflections

Kearns, who made her senior England debut in June against Spain, is now focused on regaining her physical and mental strength ahead of the upcoming season. “I’ve realized there’s more to life than football,” she noted. “But now I’m going to enjoy every minute of football like it’s my last because it could have been.” Her aspirations for the Lionesses at the 2025 World Cup in Brazil remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, fellow players Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie are set to return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, with additional content available on the Women’s Super League feed. For the latest updates on the WSL, visit the dedicated page.