Stacey Dooley reveals ectopic pregnancy led to emergency surgery

Stacey Dooley has revealed she suffered an ectopic pregnancy last year that required emergency surgery with her partner Kevin Clifton. The 38-year-old presenter disclosed the event during a recent episode of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, saying she and Clifton had hoped to expand their family but the pregnancy did not unfold as planned. Dooley and Clifton, who share a two-year-old daughter named Minnie, live in Nottingham and have discussed family-building challenges publicly as part of their broader story.

She described an internal rupture that necessitated urgent surgery and noted that such experiences force couples to consider options for expanding their family in the future. Medical guidance indicates that an ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition and a leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester; it occurs when an embryo implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. The cruel timing of the event underscored the fragility of early pregnancy for Dooley and her family, who have publicly navigated the emotional terrain of loss while continuing work commitments.

Dooley and Clifton met in 2018 when paired on Strictly Come Dancing, and they went on to win the series before confirming their relationship. The couple now co-parent Minnie and maintain a home in Nottingham, where they have balanced high-profile careers with parenting responsibilities. Their relationship and family plans have periodically attracted public attention as Dooley has described her approach to work and motherhood in interviews and on air.

Earlier this year Dooley disclosed another personal travel moment connected to her work in the United States: Minnie accompanied her on a filming trip to Nevada to explore the lives of sex workers in the state’s Mustang Ranch, described as the oldest legal brothel there. Dooley said she had to obtain permission from a sheriff for the eight-month-old to join the crew, joking that the trip sounded like a comedy sketch in hindsight. The airing of that anecdote came as part of a broader discussion about balancing motherhood and professional obligations and the realities of filming in unconventional locations.

During a Hay Literary Festival panel with journalist Emma Barnett, Dooley explained that Minnie often travels with her for shoots and that motherhood shapes the choices she makes about where she goes and what she covers. She recalled the logistical challenge of bringing a young child to demanding assignments and suggested that her parenting duties influence, but do not derail, her reporting and storytelling ambitions. The anecdote about Minnie’s involvement in a Nevada shoot underscored the couple’s openness about their family life and Dooley’s commitment to documenting diverse human experiences.

The health context around Dooley’s disclosure is rooted in established medical guidance: ectopic pregnancies are not viable and can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. In the United Kingdom, the condition affects about one in 80 pregnancies each year. The 2022 MBRRACE report identifies ectopic pregnancy as a frequent cause of maternal death in early pregnancy, reinforcing why conversations about diagnosis, management, and reproductive options are critical for patients and families. Symptoms often develop within the first four to 12 weeks and include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, and dizziness or faintness. Organizations such as The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust provide resources and support for those affected.

For readers seeking help or information, the article notes contact options through the Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation and related health resources. Health professionals emphasize that early detection and access to care are essential to improving outcomes in ectopic pregnancies. While Dooley’s personal account highlights the emotional and logistical dimensions of pregnancy loss, it also reflects a broader public health issue that continues to affect women and families across the UK and beyond.