- If you need help with similar issues, contact Tommy's, a miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth charity, at [email protected] or call 0800 0147 800
Amanda Holden has shared a touching tribute to her stillborn son Theo on the 13th anniversary of his death.
The 52-year-old presenter shared a snapshot on Instagram Stories of a candle she lit in honor of her baby boy.
Noting that it had been 13 years since his death, Amanda captioned the post: “Today you would have been a teenager #Theo.”
Theo was tragically stillborn in 2011 at the age of seven months, and Amanda has previously spoken about her experience to help other parents who may be struggling.
In 2011, Amanda was seven months pregnant with Theo when a routine check-up revealed his heart had stopped.
Amanda Holden has shared a touching tribute to her stillborn son Theo on the 13th anniversary of his death
The TV star and her husband Chris Hughes made the devastating decision to have a caesarean section following Theo's death.
In September 2022, Amanda revealed that she felt like a “game show contestant” when a doctor told her she would “go home empty-handed” after her stillbirth.
The presenter worked with baby loss charity Aching Arms and raised money for them as part of fundraising for her 3 Peaks Challenge.
Speaking to Ross Sullivan – a user of Aching Arms – on her Heart Breakfast show, Amanda spoke about her “terrible” experience and told of her hope that the charity will help people “avoid” the kind of language that was used towards her.
She said: “I will never forget a time when I went through something that I imagine was very similar to yours.” [experience].
“We lost our baby Theo at 28 weeks and they very sensitively moved me to another room so I could deliver him without having to hear the beautiful babies crying on a normal ward.”
“It's often not something we think about, it's little things like this.” I also remember that afterwards, when we were talking, the lady also said to me: “I know you're going home empty-handed.”
“So I felt like I was kind of a game show contestant, and I know that this charity will help people avoid something so terrible and teach them how best to deal with something so terrible.” It's simple terrible.'
The presenter shared a snapshot on Instagram Stories of a candle she lit in honor of her baby boy
Amanda married Chris in 2008 and they are also parents to daughters Alexa, 18, and Hollie, 12.
Amanda also previously spoke about Theo's loss on her radio show to mark Nurses Day, saying: “I personally would like to thank the nurses.”
“I know I talk about it a lot. And I never know if I talk about it too much. But when we lost our son Theo to a stillbirth, the hospital where I was treated was of course incredible.
“Jacki Nash helped me through so much, Pippa Nightingale and Natalie Carter.”
Amanda married her husband Chris Hughes in 2008 and they are also parents to daughters Alexa, 18, and Hollie, 12.
If you need help with similar issues, contact Tommy's, a miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth charity, at [email protected] or call 0800 0147 800
What is a stillbirth?
A stillbirth occurs when a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
If a baby dies before 24 weeks of pregnancy, it is called pregnancy loss.
Not all stillbirths can be prevented. However, the risk can be reduced by not smoking or drinking, not sleeping on your back, and attending all pregnancy appointments.
What are the signs?
Signs may include the baby not moving as much as normal.
Pregnant women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a change in their baby's movement.
What are the causes?
Stillbirths do not always have an obvious cause but can occur due to complications with the placenta or a birth defect.
They are also more common when women have high blood pressure, diabetes or a child-affecting infection such as flu.
Stillbirths are more common when women have twins or multiple pregnancies, are overweight, smoke, are over 35 years old, or have a pre-existing condition such as epilepsy.
What happens after a stillbirth?
If a baby has died, women may choose to wait until labor begins naturally, or may be induced if their health is at risk.
Grief support groups are available for parents who have suffered a stillbirth.
Some people find it helpful to name their baby or take photos with them.
Source: NHS Choices
Chris Hughes, Amanda Holden