Lauren Goodger, the British reality television star, has opened up about her decision not to inform her four-year-old daughter, Larose, about the tragic death of her baby sister, Lorena. During a heartfelt appearance on the ITV morning show *This Morning*, Goodger discussed the emotional journey she has been on since announcing the loss of her daughter in July 2022, when Lorena passed away shortly after being born.
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Speaking candidly, the 39-year-old former *The Only Way Is Essex* cast member explained that she believes Larose is too young to comprehend the situation. “She has kept me going, and she doesn’t know. She has no idea what’s happened, that she had a little sister, just because she’s still young, and I don’t want her to feel any pain. She doesn’t need to,” Goodger stated. She plans to explain the circumstances at an appropriate time in the future, intending to frame it positively when Larose is older.
In the interview, the reality star shared details about how she remembers Lorena. Goodger mentioned that they celebrate the anniversary of Lorena’s passing by releasing balloons, a gesture Larose believes is in her honour. “We do celebrate her anniversary with Larose, and we let off balloons,” said Goodger, adding with a smile, “She thinks it’s for her.”
Reflecting on the events surrounding Lorena’s birth, Goodger recounted the distressing experience. “It was three days before Lorena was due, my waters broke, but I was set up to do a home birth, which I had done perfectly the year before with my first daughter,” she explained. However, after some time, labour did not progress as expected, prompting her to remain at home based on medical advice.
Once the contractions finally began, Goodger’s situation took a tragic turn. “When I did finally go into labour, oxygen levels had dropped, and I got rushed in an ambulance,” she shared. Upon arrival at the hospital, where staff were not anticipating her emergency, there was unfortunately nothing they could do to save Lorena, who succumbed to oxygen loss.
Goodger first revealed the heartbreaking news of Lorena’s death on social media, sharing an emotional photo of her hand grasping her finger. In her poignant tribute, she mourned the loss of what she described as “the most beautiful, healthy baby I’ve ever seen.” The grieving mother expressed the pain and confusion that accompanied the tragic event, emphasising that both she and Lorena had been in perfect health prior to the incident.
“The words can’t describe as a mother losing your baby that I carried for all these months perfectly and gave birth to for my angel to be taken from me,” Goodger wrote in her post, showcasing the depth of her sorrow. Furthermore, she requested privacy as she and her partner, Charlie Drury, navigated their mourning and the preparations for Lorena’s funeral.
Despite her immense grief, Goodger acknowledged the support she has received from her daughter Larose. “I just need this time,” she mentioned during the interview, illustrating how motherhood has been a source of strength for her during this difficult period. “Larose has been my rock, getting me through this, or I wouldn’t survive,” she continued, highlighting the role of her living daughter in her healing process.
In closing, Goodger shared a poignant message about her enduring love for Lorena. “I will never ever get over this but I will learn how to live every day with Lorena in my heart,” she remarked. This sentiment encapsulates the complexity of her grief as she attempts to honour Lorena’s memory while raising Larose.
Goodger’s openness about her experiences serves to shed light on the realities of loss and motherhood, illustrating how such tragedies can intertwine in profoundly challenging ways. As she continues on her journey of healing, both she and Larose appear to be taking steps together towards understanding and remembrance.