England international Missy Bo Kearns recently opened up about the harrowing experience she faced after suffering a miscarriage and contracting sepsis, revealing the emotional and physical toll it took on her. The Aston Villa midfielder, who had announced her pregnancy in early March, endured an intense hospital stay in late March, following sudden health complications during a routine training session.
A Sudden, Shocking Turn of Events
On 18 March, while training at Villa's Bodymoor Heath facility, Kearns began feeling unwell. Initially thinking it was a pregnancy-related symptom, she sought advice from the club’s sports doctor, Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein. Upon checking her temperature, Kearns was shocked to find it was 42°C, an alarmingly high fever. Despite feeling physically fine just an hour earlier during pilates and gym sessions, she was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“It was one of the biggest shocks of my life,” Kearns recalled, sharing how she never expected the sudden change in her health. It was then that doctors confirmed the devastating news: she had lost her baby and developed sepsis, a life-threatening condition that had gone unnoticed.
The Harrowing Hospital Experience
Kearns described the following days in the hospital as “four days of hell,” where both she and her partner, Liam Walsh, faced an emotional and physical ordeal. Sepsis, a condition that can be fatal if left untreated, began to severely impact her body as the immune system responded to infection. However, Kearns was more focused on her emotional loss than the physical toll.
“I wasn’t even thinking about the sepsis," she said. "It was: I’ve lost my child." Yet, she expressed immense gratitude toward Dr. Blackadder-Weinstein for urging her to seek medical help, which she believed ultimately saved her life. Had she stayed home and dismissed her symptoms, Kearns feared she would have been unaware of the severity of the situation.
Struggling with Grief and the Road to Recovery
Though Kearns has returned to Villa’s training ground to work on her fitness, she acknowledged the emotional scars are still present. “I wouldn’t say I’m fully coping,” she admitted, explaining how some days are easier than others. While being surrounded by her teammates and keeping active helps, the emotional healing process continues in waves.
Kearns encouraged others who may be experiencing similar grief to not “suffer in silence,” stressing the importance of support from loved ones and external resources like Tommy's, the UK’s largest charity dedicated to pregnancy and baby loss.
Aiming for the World Cup: Kearns’ Determination Remains Strong
Despite her struggles, Kearns remains determined to pursue her World Cup dream, with a target of returning to top form for next season. The three-cap England international expressed her desire to be part of the Lionesses' squad for the 2024 World Cup in Brazil.
“Football is my happy place,” Kearns said. “I’ve realized there’s more to life than football, but now I’m going to enjoy every minute of football like it’s my last because it could have been.” Her resilience in the face of adversity continues to drive her as she works toward her ultimate goal of representing her country on the global stage.
