Katie Piper Opens Up About Painful Health Battle Behind Family Heartbreak

Katie Piper previously revealed the devastating reason she had to give up her dream of having a third child with her husband.

The presenter – who is on The Great Escapers today (December 14) – is a proud mum to two daughters Belle, 11 and Penelope, seven, who she shares with husband Richard Sutton.

And a few years back, Katie and Richard began trying for a third baby. However, sadly a medical setback prevented her from having another child.

The couple are parents to two children (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Katie Piper on trying for another baby with husband Richard

In 2023, Katie filmed a documentary, Katie Piper’s Jailhouse Mums, about imprisoned mothers. During her time in the New Orleans Parish Prison, Katie spoke with inmates who were missing their kids.

And after hearing their stories, Loose Women star Katie wanted to try for a third baby.

“It started to make me think, this is my last chance to have another baby, I’m going to be 40. And if I don’t do it now, I never will,” Katie told the Mirror earlier this year.

She added: “I was turning 40 in the October so I said to my husband: ‘If we want another baby, let’s do it now,’ and we started trying.”

She had to have an operation on her eye (Credit: Loose Women)

Katie’s heartbreaking medical setback

Unfortunately, Katie suffered a medical setback when she had to undergo an emergency operation on her eye, which was damaged in a vile acid attack in 2008.

“You can’t be trying for a baby and also be having unexpected surgeries. So that scuppered that and we had a break. We tried again, but it just didn’t happen,” Katie shared.

Katie also said she considered IVF, but after having to go through over 250 operations since her attack in 2008, she didn’t want to endure more hospital or the emotional toll if it didn’t work. As a result, she sadly gave up the dream of having a third child.

However, revealing she still felt something was missing, Katie ended up becoming a volunteer at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. She has since adopted an adorable dog named Sugar.

Alongside photos of the pup, Katie wrote on Instagram: “We have expanded our family… Introducing Sugar. The girls have wanted a brother or sister for so long and we wanted to make this happen. Our gorgeous girl came from @battersea Dogs & Cats Home and we are so happy to make our home, her new home.

“Big shout out to the amazing team @battersea for all the incredible work they do rescuing dogs and cats everyday. Now apologies in advance for all the puppy spam that is about to follow over the next few months.”

Watch Katie on The Great Escapers on Sunday (December 14) at 6pm on ITV1.

Read more: Katie Piper and husband Richard celebrate 10-year wedding anniversary with adorable photo