Lauren Goodger has revealed the suspected cause of her newborn daughter's tragic sudden death, which occurred earlier this month.
Baby Lorena, who weighed 9lb, passed away just minutes after arriving in the world, despite 10 doctors' best efforts to save her.
Former TOWIE star Lauren, who has one-year-old Larose with her partner Charles Drury, experienced a "textbook pregnancy" without any complications.
Lauren planned to have Lorena at home after a smooth delivery with her first daughter Larose.
After her waters broke on July 6, she was advised to remain at home, safe under the watchful eye of her midwife, Tamzin, who previously delivered their first child.
Two days later in a routine check, however, Tamzin couldn't detect Lorena's heartbeat and subsequently called an ambulance.
Lauren, who recently shared a touching tribute to her late daughter, was transferred to the delivery suite at her local hospital, where after a quick two-hour labour, she delivered Lorena, who was said to have a low heart rate.
The 35-year-old said the room suddenly began to fill with doctors, who proceeded to perform chest compressions on the tot and give her adrenaline. Meanwhile, Charles was screaming and begging for the doctors to save Lorena's life.
Shortly afterwards, though, Lauren and Charles were given the devastating news in what she described as the "most traumatic" moment of her life.
Speaking with tremendous courage to OK!, Lauren has opened up on the tragic events and revealed what doctors believe could have caused Lorena's death.
Lauren, who was seen for the first time after her daughter's passing last week, decided to share her story as she wants to help other parents who may be going through something similar and let them know they are not alone.
The star explained: "The cord had two big knots in it and it was around her neck. They were doing chest compressions and giving her adrenaline and they couldn’t get a heartbeat.
"I couldn’t get my head around it because eight, nine hours earlier, she had a heartbeat, I heard it."
A doctor, who previously cared for the couple's first daughter Larose, attempted to resuscitate little Lorena for eight minutes before Lauren was told there was nothing more they could do.
"The doctor who treated Larose came over to me and said, ‘We haven’t managed to get a heartbeat. I’m so sorry.’ I was like, ‘What? What do you mean? She had a heartbeat yesterday of 150. She had a heartbeat last night, I don’t understand.’ But she said, ‘I know, but her cord was around her neck…’" Lauren continued.
The reality star has been in 'agony' but is slowly healing from the trauma. She revealed she had stitches as she "tore inside and out".
If Lauren ever decided to have another baby, she confessed she would have a C-section as she "can't go through that again".
"It should never have happened and it will be with me forever,' she added. "It’s terrible, awful…"
The star said she is having a post-mortem for her baby, as she wants to understand how she died.
Lauren and Charles are currently waiting for the results of the autopsy and hope to "understand medically" why her baby died for the sake of her "own sanity".
She admitted that wasn't going to get an autopsy in the beginning but later changed her mind.
The couple hope to move Lorena into a funeral home this week.
Following the tragic death, baby loss charity Petal showed up to help support the grieving couple. They did casts and hand and feets prints for Lauren to keep.
She told The Sun: "I have some locks of her hair and they gave us a candle for her. A photographer was organised and they took some beautiful pictures. My friends put two into a locket which I wear around my neck."
Lauren – who recently put on a brave face for eldest daughter Larose's first birthday – announced the death of her second child on Instagram on July 10.
Captioning a black-and-white image of herself holding her late baby's hand, she wrote: "Lorena. 08.07.22. She was the most beautiful healthy baby I've ever seen just like her sister.
"Words can't describe as a mother losing your baby that I carried for all these months perfectly and gave birth too for my angel to be taken from me.
"There was no pregnancy or labour complications and she was fine & healthy but I am not going into detail right now just know that there was nothing wrong with her or myself she was perfect I can't understand it she is so so beautiful Larose twin so similar."
She added: "I am broken. I am back home from hospital Me & Charlie spent as much time with our baby girl Lorena and I haven't said my goodbye yet...
"I will never ever get over this but I will learn how to live everyday with Lorena in my heart she will be with me always and I will be with her again one day.
"My Lorena I love you so much."
After sharing the tragic news, friends, co-stars and fans sent endless messages of support.
*If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at childbereavementuk.org or you can call them on 0800 02 888 40.
