Coleen Rooney Reflects on Miscarriages, Fears She 'Can't Carry Girls'

Coleen Rooney has spoken about the profound emotional impact of experiencing two miscarriages, revealing that she now questions whether she is unable to carry female children. Rooney and her husband, former footballer Wayne Rooney, are parents to four sons: Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, 10, and Cass, eight.

In her 2023 autobiography, 'My Account,' Rooney detailed her first miscarriage, which occurred months after her and Wayne's 2008 wedding. She experienced a second miscarriage in 2014, after the birth of their first two children. Reflecting on these losses during an interview on the 'We Need To Talk' podcast, Rooney described the immediate aftermath of her first miscarriage. "that was the first thought that came into my head: 'Will I be able to have children? Will I be able to carry a child?'"

She continued, "With the two miscarriages, it always does play in the back of my mind: were they girls? Were they female? Am I not able to carry girls? And I do wonder that. But they don’t investigate until you have three."

Rooney found solace in her parents, Colette and Tony, who underwent seven years of fertility treatment before conceiving her. She shared that her mother's experience offered a unique perspective. "The one thing that was positive out of it was my mum never conceived. She never actually got pregnant for that seven years. So my mum said 'that's a one step further than what I ever got in that seven years.' So that to me, you know, was that a little bit of a positive to take on board, but obviously it's a situation that you would not want anyone to be in."

She also noted that her husband was deeply affected by the losses. "I always remember him saying 'I do feel it too, you know, because it’s our baby.' No one really thinks about the partners, you know, you do, but it’s always about the woman and them losing the baby and supporting. Whereas it’s both of the parents."

This personal reflection comes as the Rooney family's new Disney+ reality series, 'The Real Rooneys,' premiered. The show offers an intimate look into their family life, with their four sons reportedly being a highlight. Reviews for the series have been mixed. Some critics praised the authenticity of the children, while others, like the Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens, criticized the show for omitting discussions of Wayne Rooney's past controversies and alcohol struggles, calling the portrayal deceitful and detached from reality. The Guardian offered a more moderate review, acknowledging the show's enjoyability despite its curated presentation.

For those affected by baby loss, the charity Tommy's offers advice and support. Their website is www.tommys.org and their helpline can be reached at 0800 0147 800.