Louise Thompson says she was ‘nervous’ to host son Leo’s first birthday party amid her battle PTSD

Louise Thompson admitted she was “nervous” celebrating her son Leo’s first birthday on Sunday, while giving her fans a glimpse of the big day on Instagram.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, revealed she’s “hasn’t entertained this year” after suffering from PTSD and post-natal anxiety after nearly dying when she gave birth to baby Leo in November 2021.

Before the celebration, Louise said she sent out invitations at the last minute, giving herself time to go back if she needed to, but in the end she “enjoyed” the day.

The former reality star couldn’t help but smile as she posed for a family snap with husband Ryan Libbey and their son Leo.

Louise looked effortlessly chic in dark velvet pants that she paired with a brown sweater while her beau rocked a white T-shirt.

She opened in the lengthy Instagram caption, “I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to learn that I was pretty nervous about throwing this party.

“I haven’t entertained this year and I’ve never thrown a kid’s party. I actually forgot to invite people until the last minute because I wasn’t sure how I would feel.

She revealed that she “designed the invitations months ago in the hopes” that she would feel good on the special day.

She wrote, “Hosting used to make me nervous about trauma, so this was a double whammy…although since I learned Leo I’ve let go of most of my perfectionist tendencies, which has definitely helped.”

Louise admitted she had a “moment” before her guests arrived when she thought of canceling, but the clock “counted” until people arrived and ended up “really enjoying” the celebrations.

She said, “The minute people poured in the door, I was fine… it always would be. As my psychiatrist always told me, “don’t think, just do”. Easier said than done when you’re stuck analyzing your thoughts, but always better TO DO than “DON’T”.

The point is, I didn’t just want to ‘DO’ it, I really wanted to ENJOY it, because it was a special occasion, a big milestone for me and my family.

“The good news is that I had a fantastic time, with good company, and not a single tantrum.”

Louise shared some of her top tips for throwing a party, while her guests were treated to a music lesson, caterers, cake and a ball pit at the lavish children’s party.

Ryan and Louise transformed their lounge into a ‘magic forest’ while the kids enjoyed a preschool music lesson from Hartbeeps.

Leo was spoiled with two incredible birthday cakes, one made by Louise’s brother, Sam Thompson, girlfriend Zara McDermott.

Former Love Island beauty Zara created a safari lion cake as she posed with her masterpiece in a chic beige knit dress.

The family and friends sang happy birthday to the toddler while Louise held him by the eye-catching cake and candles.

She shared the adorable clip on her Instagram story, admitting she “can’t wait to show him this video when he’s older.”

Louise has had a difficult year after she nearly died giving birth to her son Leo, who she shares with husband Ryan Libbey, and spent five weeks in the hospital with “serious complications.”

She has since battled post-traumatic stress disorder and post-natal anxiety, admitting in January that she cried up to 20 times.

The star has been honest with her fans about her day-to-day struggles, revealing at times that the anxiety felt “inexplicable” but now she’s learning to “make sense of it.”

Louise, who often calls son Leo her “little miracle baby,” manages to get her anxiety under control and after obsessively checking her temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate, she can go about her normal, daily routine.

If this story has touched you, please contact the Birth Trauma Association at birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

For help and support with perinatal mental illness, contact PANDAS on 0808 1961 776