Trigger warning. This article contains details of pregnancy loss
Too Hot To Handle star Emily Miller is urging women to have early pregnancy scans after revealing she suffered an ectopic pregnancy.
The 28-year-old reality TV star and social media influencer shared the devastating news with her followers on Friday with a collection of photos from her hospital bed.
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Emily, who is dating her Too Hot To Handle co-star Cam Holmes, 25, said she was shocked when she discovered she was pregnant.
Her post begins: "So a few weeks ago I discovered I was pregnant. Although it was a shock it was something I was also quite excited about.
"However on Tuesday I collapsed whilst being at the shops. I cannot even describe to you the pain - it felt like my whole stomach was collapsing and was quickly rushed to hospital."
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Emily was told that she had an ectopic pregnancy after seeking treatment in A&E. An ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilised egg implants itself somewhere other than the womb, commonly in one of the fallopian tubes, where it continues to grow and can lead to a life-threatening rupture.
"I waited in A&E until 3pm the next day, when I finally got my scan," she continued in her post. "As I laid on the table squeezing Cam's hand the 2 nurses were so silent.
"I asked if everything is ok and she replied ‘I’m just going to get my colleague for a second opinion’ as the 3 nurses gathered round it was then they confirmed I had something called an ectopic pregnancy."
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"For those who haven’t heard of this (like me) it’s basically where the fetus gets stuck and grows in your fallopian tube which is fatal and if I had left it much longer my Fallopian tube would of burst.
"It’s one of those things you just think will never happen to you. I was just so scared. Not only was I about to lose my baby but I was about to have my fallopian tube removed with the potential of my ovary too. All I wanted to do was speak to my mum and I’m pretty sure I scared all the poor women in that waiting room with my crying."
She also explained the moments leading up to the surgery. "I hadn’t eaten or drunk for 24 hours at this point, as I had to have an empty stomach for the scan and for potential surgery. So you can see in the picture I was sniffing cams protein cookie bcos [sic] I was so hungry.
"But at least I had finally been given a bed which meant I was hours away from being out of this pain. But this did feel very bitter sweet.
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"At 10pm Wednesday I was taken into surgery and I don’t know who was crying more me or Cam but was extremely emotional to say the least.
"I had asked Cam to get me a list of food and drink for when I return but I had panic attack when I woke up. I was dosed up with morphine because I was in so much pain that I then felt sick and had to go straight to sleep.
"After a few more blood tests and a bit of breakfast, I was discharged yesterday afternoon.
"Physically I’m still in a lot of pain and bed bound after the surgery but mentally it’s been even harder."
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Emily finished her post by urging women to have early pregnancy scans ‘to be not he sage side’ and said she ‘definitely ignored the signs’.
“Thinking back, I definitely ignored the signs my body was trying to tell me early on about my ectopic pregnancy.
“I can only urge girls to get an early pregnancy scan just to be on the sage side to rule out any kind of potential problems.”
“Please don’t ignore your body, love to you all”.
According to baby loss charity Tommy’s, ectopic pregnancy affects around 1 in 100 pregnancies.
Symptoms can include vaginal bleeding, stomach pain, shoulder tip pain and discomfort when going to the toilet. Symptoms of a fallopian tube rupture can include a sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy, feeling very dizzy or faint, feeling sick and looking very pale.
You should contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you have a combination of any of the symptoms, which usually develop between the fourth and 12th week of pregnancy.
For more information on ectopic pregnancy and baby loss support contact Tommy's www.tommys.org.
Gregory Robinson