06-05-2025
Ben Fogle's wife Marina opens up on devastating stillbirth of their son that caused TV presenter's breakdown
MARINA Fogle has spoken in detail about the trauma her and husband, Ben Fogle, endured when their son was born stillborn.
The broadcaster, 51, and his podcast producer wife, lost their baby Willem in 2015 after he was born at 33 weeks.
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Ben has previously spoken about the devastating effects Willem's death had on him, including leading to a mental health breakdown last year.
Now, Marina has opened up how the couple's third child died due to a "catastrophic placental abruption... something no doctor had predicted so no one could prevent."
She wrote in The Times, that if Willem had been born a day earlier he would likely have survived, but nobody could predict her placenta would fail.
Marina explained how not knowing what caused Willem's death or the risk of another pregnancy has stopped the couple from trying for a much-wanted third child.
"But that didn't stop me wanting answers. My job revolves around pregnancy," she wrote.
"A few years earlier I had founded the Bump Class, an antenatal class committed to giving parents-to-be the very best information in anticipation of the birth of their babies."
Marina said she tried everything from gardening to travel with Ben to help ease her grief, but realised what would help her most was pushing for better research into pregnancy loss.
"In an age of space exploration, how can 50 per cent of miscarriages be unexplained? Who cares about going to Mars when babies are dying and we don't know why?" she wrote.
Marina has found there are centres and doctors in the U.K "challenging the status quo" to find answers and help parents, including Tommy's, a baby charity at St Thomas' Hospital and Professor Phil Bennett at Queen Charlotte's Hospital both in London.
She also visited St Mary's Hospital in Manchester where she "met a true placenta geek, Professor Alex Heazell, a man who had dedicated his professional life to understanding why placentas fail."
While Marina has let go of the hopes of having a third baby or trying to understand why Willem died, she wants to help parents advocate for themselves in healthcare.
"I'm keen to be part of the change, part of the group of people who constantly ask questions, work out if we can do better and never stop until they know why," she wrote.
"No science, however brilliant, will bring Willem back or change what has happened, but we can help future generations."
Marina concluded: "If just one baby makes it, if just one family are spared the tragedy of a placental abruption that could have been predicted, then all that questioning, all that tenacity, will have been worth it."
If you or someone you know has been affected by baby loss, help is available from Tommy's in the UK on 0800 0147 800 or email midwife@
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Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Samaritans, 116 123
CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858
Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41
Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
