Kerry Katona "nearly died" giving birth to her baby daughter earlier this month.
The former Atomic Kitten singer welcomed her fifth child into the world on April 4, but the delivery didn't go according to plan after she reportedly developed pre-eclampsia, which can be fatal if undiagnosed.
The insider told the Daily Star newspaper: "The birth didn't go smoothly at all, she nearly died. Kerry had pre-eclampsia and her legs and feet swelled up. The condition can be fatal for both mums and babies but thankfully Kerry's baby was fine. It was Kerry who was in danger.
"Her mum Sue was really scared Kerry was going to die. She lost a lot of blood."
The 33-year-old star - who already has daughters Molly, 12, and Lilly-Sue, 11, with her first husband Brian McFadden and Heidi, seven, and Max, five, with second husband Mark Croft - spent four days in hospital, before returning to her Oxfordshire home with her daughter and her fiancé George Kay, 34.
The source explained: "George was there throughout and is now being more protective than ever of Kerry.
"He was terrified but had to stay strong for her - he thought he was ­going to lose her."
Kerry - who filed for bankruptcy a second time last year - is yet to announce the name of her new bundle of joy.

Peaches Geldof's husband Thomas Cohen is reportedly planning to sell the countryside home where she died.
The S.C.U.M rocker is too distraught to return to their home in Wrotham, Kent, where the 25-year-old star's body was discovered on April 7, and wants to put the property on the market once the police have finished their investigation.
A friend told the Sunday People newspaper: "Tom has said that he can't return to the house, he wants to immediately sell the place and move.
"It is just too heartbreaking for him there, he is in bits and can't bear to live in the place where his beloved wife died.
"He has some very happy memories of living there with Peaches and ­bringing up their babies but it's so, so painful for him to think about living there now. We're worried about Tom, he can't believe he is a widower, with two young kids, at 23. It's heartbreaking to see."
Thomas, who has sons Phaedra, 11 months, and Astala, 23 months, with the blonde beauty, will attend Peaches' funeral at St Mary Magdalene church in Davington, Kent, where the couple married in 2012, later today (21.04.14).
Peaches' death is being treated as "non-suspicious", but an autopsy proved to be inconclusive earlier this month.
The star's family - including father Sir Bob Geldof and sisters Fifi, 31, Pixie, 23, and Tiger-Lily, 17 - now have an agonising wait while toxicology tests are carried out.

Daniel Radcliffe is dating Erin Darke.
The 'Harry Potter' star has been in a relationship with the actress for "about two years" after meeting her on the set of 'Kill Your Darlings' in 2012, according to the MailOnline.
The couple went public with their romance over the weekend as they were spotted doing the grocery shopping together in New York City, but they have done well at keeping their relationship a secret over the past 24 months as it was previously believed they had called time on their brief fling shortly after it began in 2012.
The 24-year-old hunk split from his previous girlfriend Rosie Coker in October 2012 after two years of dating and reportedly tried to woo Erin not long afterwards.
However, it was believed Erin was left "devastated" when he apparently ended their brief relationship.
A source told Life & Style magazine at the time: "Erin thought it was a real relationship, going as far as introducing Daniel as her boyfriend. He's flown her out to London and taken her on dates and spent plenty of time with her in NYC, but Daniel just up and left New York without a second thought. Erin was devastated."
However, the split didn't last long as the pair were spotted with each other again in London last August.

Kirsten Dunst isn't worried about making money.
The 'Melancholia' star has an extensive portfolio of film roles under her belt and claims that, although her mother often used to help her to decide which parts would be best for her, she no longer feels the need to take her advice.
She said: "I'm too old to be swayed in any way now.
"She sees that I do these indie films and she's like, 'I don't understand why these people [reality TV stars] make so much money and you don't'. I'm like, 'Mum, I'm an artist, I want a career path that will last. Relax. We're OK."
The 31-year-old actress, who landed her first job in a TV advert at the age of three, also admitted that she liked to play down her career as a teenager because she didn't want to be singled out by bullies.
She explained to Harper's Bazaar: "I actually underplayed myself [at school] because I didn't want to be a target. The fact that I was an actress made me nervous. I never wanted to be called names or anything. I was afraid of that."

Nadine Coyle has named her baby daughter Anaíya.
The former Girls Aloud singer, who welcomed her first child into the world in February with her fiancé Jason Bell, has shared the first photograph of the tiny tot since her birth and has also confirmed her moniker.
Taking to Twitter last night (20.04.14), the 28-year-old star released the cute close-up snap of her adorable baby girl, which she accompanied with the caption, 'Introducing Anaíya. Xx (sic)'.
Nadine announced her daughter's arrival on Twitter shortly after giving birth two months ago, describing the new bundle of joy as "amazing".
She said at the time: "I am overjoyed to let you know our little girl is here. She is amazing! I love being a mammy & will fill you all in soon. Love Nadine Xx. (sic)"
The brunette beauty was initially shocked when she realised she had fallen pregnant as she expected one of her former band mates to have a baby first.
However, fellow Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh recently announced she too is expecting her first child with her long-term partner Justin Scott.
Nadine was clearly overjoyed at the news and congratulated her pal on Twitter last month, tweeting: "Congratulations Miss Kimberley. I hope you love every second as much as I did. Xx (sic)".

Lindsay Lohan had a miscarriage while filming for her reality TV show.
The troubled star made the devastating revelation in the last moments of the two-hour finale of 'Lindsay' on Sunday night (20.04.14), and admitted the loss was the reason she took a couple of weeks off from filming the programme on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network.
Lindsay, who hit the headlines for delaying the production of the show when she took the break, said: "No one knows this, and we can finish after this, I had a miscarriage for the two weeks that I took off."
After a long pause, the flame-haired beauty added: "It's a very long story," and failed to offer any other details.
The 'Mean Girls' star admitted it was difficult to watch the series, which began four days after she left rehab last summer, especially as everyone was criticising her for taking a break from filming.
She said: "That's why on the show when it says she doesn't want to come down, I couldn't move, I was sick. Mentally, that messes with you.
"Watching this series, I just know how I felt at that moment and I can relate to that girl, which sounds kind of crazy, but I'm like, 'Oh my god, this is really sad. Who's helping her?'
"There was a lot going on in my life then. I cried so many times watching it. Because I don't see it as me - it's strange. It's weird."
Lindsay, who has sought treatment for drug and alcohol abuse on six separate occasions, is now determined to stay sober and rebuild her movie career.

Justin Bartha has become a father for the first time.
The 'Hangover' star and his wife Lia Smith, who got married in January, welcomed their baby daughter into the world on April 13, according to Us Magazine.
The couple first sparked rumours they were expecting their first child just days after they tied the knot earlier this year on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
At the time, a source said Lia "had her hand on her stomach most of the time" and "looked like she had a little bump" under her white gown at the ceremony.
Later at the reception, held at the nearby Kualoa Ranch, Lia donned a loose-fitting dress and was seen touching her stomach as she walked around.
Justin, 35, and Lia, who hails from Hawaii, were first linked in January last year when they celebrated the start of 2013 together on a Maui beach.
The actor then popped the question in May when they took a romantic trip to Big Sur in California.
An insider said at the time: "The trip to Big Sur, the engagement, the ring, everything. So cute."
Justin previously dated Ashley Olsen for two years before the couple split in 2011.

Michael Le Vell has checked out of rehab.
The 'Coronation Street' star left The Priory clinic near Hale in Greater Manchester yesterday (20.04.14) after completing his three-week stint for alcoholism.
He is believed to have told friends: "I am winning my battle with the booze."
However, the 49-year-old actor has reportedly decided not to reprise his role as mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap for the time being as he wants to spend quality time with his girlfriend Louise Gibbons.
A source told The Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Mike is in a much stronger place. Being in rehab has made him reassess his life.
"He is already fitter and mentally stronger after seeking the extra support. The past few weeks have really helped but he knows he still has a long road ahead of him.
"He's taking his recovery day-by-day and now he's out he knows he needs to be more determined than ever."
Michael sought professional help after he admitted he had turned to cocaine in the run up to his child abuse trial in September, for which he was cleared of all charges.
The star rejoined 'Coronation Street' earlier this year, before being written out again to complete his treatment.

Michelle Heaton has christened her baby son.
The Liberty X singer and her husband Hugh Hanley took their seven-week-old son Aaron Jay to the holy mass at Ballyroan Church in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday (20.04.14).
The 34-year-old singer - who also christened her two-year-old daughter Faith at the same church in 2012 - took to Twitter yesterday to share an adorable snap of her bundle of joy in the car, wearing his long christening gown.
She accompanied the picture with: "Getting AJ into his car seat with his christening gown on was challenging to say the least ! Lol xx (sic)".
Earlier this month, the brunette beauty was left fearing for her baby's life after he contracted viral meningitis and was rushed to hospital for emergency care.
She said at the time: "The last 24 hours has been the worst and scariest in my life."
The tiny tot's conditioned improved and he was allowed to return home shortly afterwards, but Michelle won't know if he'll suffer long-term complications until he's a bit older.
She said: "Our beautiful baby boy Aaron Jay Hanley is home now and we couldnt be happier. It has been hell, I'm not going lie, and only time will tell if Aaron has been physically or mentally effected with having had viral meningitis.
"But the chances are slight so we just pray he will be one of the lucky ones!"

Taylor Momsen claims her parents don't "care" she gets naked and wears provocative clothing.
The 20-year-old singer, who stripped off for the cover of her Pretty Reckless album 'Going To Hell' and also appeared naked in her video for 'Heaven Knows', insists her parents Colette and Michael are supportive of her decisions and have been since she started her music career aged 16.
She said: "My parents didn't really care. They knew I was experimenting with things, it's just f***ing clothing, I don't know why everyone makes a big deal out of it. My mum is really into fashion, it's just figuring out what you like."
However, the controversial star insists her style has changed and developed and she has started to "cover up a bit" since the release of the band's debut album 'Light Me Up'.
She continued: "I'm no longer wearing my corsets right now [but] I don't regret anything. It just has to have a purpose, it has to have an artistic meaning behind it ... otherwise I find it cheap. My parents understand the artistic meaning behind it [getting naked]. I started modelling at two and went into acting. I'm very comfortable with nudity."
The former 'Gossip Girl' star thinks she was misunderstood when she first formed the band, but now that they have cemented themselves as a successful rock act people are taking her more seriously as a musician.
She said: "In the beginning, it definitely took a minute for people to listen to the music and get over the age factor and the fact that I had previously acted.
"But now the fans really like the music, it's about writing a good song and connecting with people. It seems to be working ... they know every word to every song at every show. It's pretty f***ing awesome."

Ashley Roberts has become addicted to tea since moving to the UK.
The former Pussycat Doll never used to drink the hot beverage before moving over to London from the US permanently last year, but has become so engrained in the British lifestyle and culture that she now finds herself craving a mug of milky tea.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I definitely get up now and have tea in the morning, which I never did, ever. If anything I had ice tea because I grew up in Phoenix and it's so hot you can leave your tea bags out brewing in the sun. But I don't like that Marmite. It's not for my taste buds!"
The blonde beauty also revealed she is actively involved with mental health charity MIND and is determined to raise awareness because of her younger brother Jayce, who suffers from schizophrenia which has cost him time in jail in the past.
Ashley explained: "My brother's mentally ill so it's a cause which is close to my heart. You can sometimes feel hopeless within the situation and it's a way to help.
"It's a great organisation to make people not feel like you're alone - whether you're a family member dealing with it or having some kind of mental health issue yourself.
"It helps me feel like there's something I can do because it's not necessarily the kind of illness where you can have an intervention or have rehab, it's something that they do deal with throughout their lives."

Nicole Kidman thinks love is "the be-all and end-all."
The 'Railway Man' star has been married to Keith Urban for seven years and admits he means everything to her.
Asked what love means to her, she said: "It's the be-all and end-all. It's your salvation. It's the thing that keeps you all right, and hopefully, if you're on the right path, it envelops you and keeps you safe. If you find it, you don't let it go."
The 46-year-old star recently admitted Keith showers her with love notes when they're apart in order to keep their relationship exciting.
She said previously: "For every single night he's away, he leaves me a love letter. Every single night of our relationship. It keeps us close."
When Nicole isn't filming, she enjoys accompanying the 'American Idol' judge on tour with their daughters Sunday Rose, five, and Faith Margaret, three, because she gets to indulge on fast food.
She said earlier this year: "Keith and I eat at Wendy's. You've got to remember, I'm with a musician on a tour bus. We do drive-throughs!"