Simon Gregson's wife Emma had no idea she was pregnant until she was told she'd suffered an ectopic pregnancy last September.
Simon and Emma Gregson cover OK! magazine
The 'Coronation Street' actor - who is known for playing hapless cabbie Steve McDonald in the long-running soap - and his spouse have opened up about the horrific ordeal, which left her fighting for her life.
Emma feared she wouldn't see the couple's three boys, Alfie, 10, Harry, eight, and two-year-old Henry, again when she underwent emergency treatment.
She recalled: "Up to that point we didn't know I was pregnant so it came as a double blow to us. It was hard to get our heads around what was happening.
"I was petrified. I thought I was never going to see my sons ever again.
"As they were taking me down to theatre I just kept thinking, I'm going to die - this is it, I'm not going to make it.
"As they were prepping me for surgery I had to keep signing lots of forms. I just felt devastated and so overwhelmed. It was the most frightening time I've ever had."
Steve, 43, says they don't want to risk Emma's health by trying for another child, and he is planning on having a vasectomy.
Speaking to OK! magazine, he said: "They told me Emma would've died if it had been left for a few more hours. She was literally two hours away from death."
On not having anymore offspring, he added: "I think as Emma has come so close to death, that's it for us. We originally thought Emma couldn't carry girls, but she so desperately wanted a little girl.
"I would love her to have one - but now, after nearly losing her, I'm going in and having the snip."
Emma agreed: "Every time I found out I was pregnant,I never felt joyous.
"I would just fear the worst. I don't think my mind or body could do it any more."
The couple - who have been married since 2010 - previously revealed they'd lost 11 babies, with the last making it a total of 12.
Tagged in Simon Gregson