Missy Bo Kearns made 11 appearances for Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League this season.
England international Missy Bo Kearns has revealed she endured “four days of hell in hospital” after experiencing a miscarriage and subsequently contracting sepsis.
The Aston Villa midfielder and her partner, Luton player Liam Walsh, publicly announced her pregnancy on March 1st, but she tragically lost the baby later that month.
Speaking to ITV News, Kearns recounted feeling unwell at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground on March 18th and seeking counsel from the club’s sports doctor, Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein.
“It was one of the biggest shocks of my life,” Kearns stated.
“I initially believed it was merely a pregnancy symptom, but the doctor checked my temperature and discovered it was 42 degrees, accompanied by severe shaking.”
“Upon arriving at the hospital, we learned that we had immediately lost the baby and that I had developed sepsis. It was a complete shock, as I had been actively engaged in pilates and gym activities just an hour prior, and my life was instantly transformed.”
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Kearns expressed her gratitude to Dr. Blackadder-Weinstein for her prompt recommendation to seek hospital care.
Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can be difficult to identify, represents an emergency response to an infection in which the immune system overreacts, causing damage to tissues and organs.
“We endured what felt like four days of hell in the hospital, both of us in Birmingham, and I don’t think we truly grasped the extent of what we went through until now,” Kearns explained.
“I am immensely grateful to the doctors at Villa, because if I had been at home that day, I likely would have called my mum and mentioned feeling flu-like symptoms, prompting a suggestion to rest. However, Jodie insisted I go to the hospital.”
“I was reluctant to go, as hospitals are generally unpleasant, but they likely saved my life due to the sepsis. While dealing with sepsis, my primary focus was the loss of my child, and Liam likely felt the same.”
Kearns has visited Villa’s training ground to reconnect with her teammates and begin rebuilding her fitness, but acknowledges she is still processing the emotional trauma.
“I wouldn’t say I’m fully coping,” Kearns admitted.
“There are days like today where I feel positive, having spent time with the Aston Villa girls, worked on my cycling, and completed testing to prepare for my return.”
“However, yesterday I was upset throughout the day due to news regarding arrangements we have to make, and the emotions come and go in waves.”
Kearns recognizes that grief is experienced differently by each individual, but emphasized the importance of not “suffering in silence.”
She highlighted Tommy’s, the UK’s largest pregnancy and baby loss charity, as a valuable resource for support.
Kearns made her senior England debut against Spain in June.
Kearns, who began her career with Liverpool before joining Villa in 2024, requires time to rebuild her fitness and anticipates returning to play next season.
The three-cap England international had aspirations of securing a place with the Lionesses at next year’s World Cup in Brazil and remains focused on that objective.
“Football is my happy place, and I am here now, excited to be here and continue building myself up in preparation for next season,” Kearns stated.
“Next year is a significant year, and my plan during my pregnancy was to make the World Cup squad, which remains unchanged. My focus for the coming months is to strengthen myself physically and mentally in preparation for a big season and to strive for a place in the World Cup squad.”
“I’ve realized that there’s more to life than football, but I now intend to cherish every minute of football as if it were my last, because it nearly was.”
Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie are returning for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, with interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond available on the Women’s Football Weekly feed
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