On April 28, 2025, Chloe Radford, a member of Britain’s largest family featured on Channel 5’s 22 Kids & Counting, welcomed her second child, a son named Bodhi Reign. The 29-year-old, second eldest daughter of Sue and Noel Radford, shared a raw and emotional account of her “brutal” labor just two weeks later, revealing a dangerous complication that led to hours of excessive bleeding before a remarkably swift nine-minute pushing phase. Her candid TikTok video, filmed while breastfeeding Bodhi, has captivated fans and sparked widespread discussion about the unpredictable nature of childbirth. As a bakery manager at the family’s Radford Pie Company and a mother to three-year-old Mia, Chloe’s story highlights both the challenges and triumphs of her latest journey into motherhood.
A Growing Family Legacy
The Radford family, based in Morecambe, Lancashire, is no stranger to the spotlight. With 22 children and now 14 grandchildren, Sue and Noel Radford have built a media empire through their reality show, social media presence, and family business. Chloe, who shares her life with partner Jacob Wallace, a security guard, has become a recognizable face on 22 Kids & Counting, where viewers follow the chaotic, heartwarming dynamics of Britain’s biggest family. Her first pregnancy with daughter Mia in 2022 was well-documented, including a frightening bleeding episode that required an ambulance, though it ended in a healthy delivery. This time, however, Chloe faced an even more intense ordeal with Bodhi’s birth, which she described as both physically and emotionally taxing.
Chloe’s role in the family extends beyond parenting. As a bakery manager, she helps run the Radford Pie Company, a business that has supported the family since 1999. The company, which now ships pies across the UK, is a cornerstone of the Radfords’ ability to provide for their sprawling household, which includes seven dogs and frequent family holidays. Chloe’s social media presence, with over 105,800 TikTok followers, offers fans a glimpse into her life, from parenting updates to behind-the-scenes moments at the bakery. Her decision to share Bodhi’s birth story so openly reflects her commitment to authenticity, even when the experience was far from easy.
A Labor Fraught with Danger
Chloe’s labor began on April 28, when she and Jacob arrived at the hospital expecting a routine delivery. In her TikTok video, she recounted the early stages, noting that she underwent an internal examination that revealed her waters were bulging but had not yet broken. The medical team planned to artificially rupture her membranes to progress labor, a common procedure when contractions are not advancing naturally. To prepare for potential complications, a cannula was inserted into her hand, though the process was painful, with two veins blowing before a third attempt succeeded. “They put the cannula in, she actually blew two veins and then we got it third time lucky,” Chloe shared, hinting at the physical toll even before labor intensified.
As the day progressed, Chloe experienced severe bleeding, which alarmed the medical staff. “All that was coming out was blood. They didn’t actually know why I was bleeding so much, so I had to be on the monitors the whole time,” she explained. The excessive bleeding, later identified as a “dangerous” issue by midwives, raised concerns for both Chloe’s health and Bodhi’s safety. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), defined as a blood loss of over 1 liter within 24 hours of delivery, is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, occurring in 1-5% of deliveries. Common causes include uterine atony (failure of the uterus to contract), retained placental tissue, or trauma to the genital tract. While Chloe did not specify the exact cause, the prolonged bleeding and continuous monitoring suggest a primary PPH, requiring urgent intervention to prevent hypovolemic shock, a life-threatening condition where blood loss reduces organ perfusion.
The uncertainty surrounding the bleeding led to discussions about a possible C-section, which Chloe found “really quite scary.” She noted, “There were a couple of conversations about C-sections, which I think just panics you.” Her fear was compounded by the physical strain of labor, which lasted nearly all day. Despite the ordeal, the pushing phase was astonishingly brief. After hours of bleeding and monitoring, Chloe pushed for just nine minutes, delivering Bodhi at a healthy weight. The contrast between the prolonged, dangerous labor and the rapid delivery underscores the unpredictable nature of childbirth, where critical moments can shift dramatically.
The Emotional and Physical Toll
Chloe’s account highlights the emotional rollercoaster of her labor. The fear of excessive bleeding, coupled with the uncertainty of a potential C-section, left her feeling vulnerable. “It was actually really quite scary looking back on it,” she reflected, a sentiment echoed by many women who experience complications during childbirth. PPH can be traumatic, with symptoms like persistent vaginal bleeding and large blood clots causing significant distress. The need for constant monitoring, as Chloe described, adds to the anxiety, as mothers worry about their own health and their baby’s well-being. Her experience aligns with medical insights that early detection and prompt treatment are critical to managing PPH effectively, with most cases resolving without long-term consequences when addressed swiftly.
Physically, the labor took a toll. The repeated attempts to insert a cannula and the prolonged bleeding likely left Chloe exhausted, yet she powered through to deliver Bodhi vaginally. Her ability to push for just nine minutes suggests a strong final stage of labor, possibly aided by the medical team’s interventions, such as oxytocin to promote uterine contractions or manual rupture of membranes to accelerate delivery. After the birth, Chloe faced the challenges of postpartum recovery while adjusting to life as a mother of two. In a follow-up TikTok post, she shared that breastfeeding Bodhi was “going really, really well,” though she experienced soreness on one side of her chest. She found relief using Lansinoh’s Soothies Cooling Gel Pads, a product designed to soothe cracked nipples, demonstrating her resourcefulness in navigating postpartum challenges.
A Supportive Community
Chloe’s openness about her birth story resonated with her followers, who flooded her TikTok with supportive comments. One fan wrote, “Breastfeeding is so hard to start with but it’s so worth it once it’s established! You’re amazing!” Another praised her resilience, noting, “You look great to great [having] only had a baby six days ago – lost baby bump already.” The encouragement reflects the power of Chloe’s platform, where she connects with other mothers by sharing relatable experiences. Her praise for Mia, who has been “amazing” with her new brother, also highlights the family’s tight-knit dynamic, a hallmark of the Radford clan.
The Radfords’ story is one of resilience and adaptability. Sue and Noel, who welcomed their 22nd child, Heidie, in 2020, have faced financial and logistical challenges but continue to thrive through their bakery and media ventures. Chloe’s role in the family business and her willingness to share personal milestones, like Bodhi’s birth, contribute to the Radfords’ appeal. Their reality show, now in its fifth season, captures the chaos and joy of their oversized household, from birthday parties to family vacations. Chloe’s birth story adds a new layer to this narrative, showcasing the strength required to navigate parenthood under public scrutiny.
The Broader Context of Childbirth Complications
Chloe’s experience sheds light on the broader issue of maternal health. Postpartum hemorrhage remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings, where access to skilled care is limited. In high-income countries like the UK, where Chloe gave birth, maternal mortality rates are lower (10 per 100,000 live births in 2023), thanks to advanced medical interventions like oxytocin, uterine massage, and blood transfusions. However, even in these settings, PPH can be life-threatening if not managed promptly. Chloe’s story underscores the importance of skilled healthcare professionals who can respond to complications like excessive bleeding, ensuring safe outcomes for both mother and baby.
Her experience also highlights the emotional impact of childbirth complications. The fear of a C-section, the uncertainty of unexplained bleeding, and the physical demands of labor can leave lasting impressions. For Chloe, sharing her story was a way to process the ordeal and connect with others who may have faced similar challenges. Her decision to film the video while breastfeeding Bodhi, a vulnerable and intimate moment, reflects her desire to normalize the ups and downs of motherhood, from painful breastfeeding to the joy of a healthy newborn.
Looking Ahead
As Chloe settles into life with Bodhi and Mia, her story serves as a reminder of the resilience required to navigate childbirth and parenthood. The Radford family’s journey, marked by love, chaos, and entrepreneurial spirit, continues to captivate audiences. Chloe’s brutal birth story, with its dangerous bleeding and lightning-fast delivery, is a testament to her strength and the medical team’s expertise. As she embraces her new “reality” as a mother of two, her openness inspires others to share their own stories, fostering a sense of community among parents.
The conversation around Chloe’s birth experience is far from over. It raises questions about maternal healthcare, the emotional toll of labor complications, and the power of storytelling in building connections. For now, Chloe and Bodhi are thriving, a beacon of hope after a harrowing journey. As the Radford family grows, so does their legacy of love, resilience, and unfiltered honesty.
