Ben Fogle says he'll 'never forgive himself' for being abroad when his son was stillborn

Ben Fogle has said he'll "never forgive himself" for being abroad when his son was stillborn.

The adventurer, 47, was away in Canada when his wife Marina lost their son, who they named Willem, while she was in Austria visiting her family in 2014.

Appearing on ITV's Loose Women on Friday, Marina said that when she was 33-weeks pregnant she woke up feeling out of sorts and then became really ill.

She went to the hospital and was told she was suffering placental abruption, which is when the placenta partly or completely separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery.

This can decrease or block the baby's supply of oxygen and nutrients, and can cause heavy bleeding for the mother.

Ben Fogle and his wife Marina on Loose Women (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Ben Fogle and Marina and their children (Getty Images Europe)

Marina said: "[Ben] got a call in middle of night the night saying 'Marina's in hospital, we don't know if she's going to survive, we don't know if the baby's going to survive.

"It was very dramatic."

Ben added: "It was hard, I don't think i'll ever forgive myself for being in Canada and being so helpless."

They lost their son Willem, who was stillborn in 2014 when Ben was in Canada and Marina was in Austria (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The couple, who are parents to Ludovic, 11, and Iona, 10, then had to make the decision to tell their children about their brother.

Ben added: "When I finally got to Austria, which was pretty traumatic in itself, going into the hospital with the children..

"We've always lived a very, open honest life with the public.

Ben and Marina want to raise awareness of pregnancy loss and break the taboo (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"When you're in the really privileged position of being in the public eye, I don't think you should sugarcoat your life, I don't think you should pretend it's idyllic when it isn't.

"We've always been very honest with that and that's our style of parenting as well."

The couple had counselling and were told to be honest with their kids about what had happened, because they were too little to understand it if they tried to sugarcoat it.

"The fear of the unknown is far worse," Ben added.

He went on: "We told them and we still talk about it."

*Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk