Rhiannon Ingle
Former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has announced the loss of her daughter Harper following a devastating late miscarriage.
The 34-year-old took to Instagram yesterday (22 October) to share with her 115k followers that she lost her child at 20 weeks pregnant - just one year after suffering another miscarriage where she lost her baby at 12 weeks.
The gold medallist revealed she lost the baby on Friday evening (20 October) and opened up about the grief both she and her husband, Andy Parsons, are feeling.
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Rebecca shared three pictures to Instagram on Sunday evening explaining the situation along with a broken heart emoji.
The first slide's overlay text began: "I don't really have the words right now but unfortunately we went for our 20-week scan this week and they found no heartbeat."
The Olympian continued: "I gave birth to our angel, Harper, on Friday at 7pm. We held her, and had time with her. We will forever love her and remember her always."
Rebecca then went on to thank the staff at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, saying their 'kindness and care was simply incredible'.
To her husband, she added: "Your selfless support, love and help is truly amazing. I couldn't have survived without you."
Rebecca went on: "I don't have the strength or words right now and don't feel ready to share this news. However, I can't pretend to be ok or fake a smile.
"I can't have people ask me how pregnancy is or when I am due as I still look pregnant. I don't have the strength to tell this news individually.
"We are so truly heartbroken. Our beautiful girl. Rest in peace."
Rebecca ended the emotional tribute with a quote that read: "We have no right to ask when sorrow comes 'Why did this happen to me?!' Unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way."
The Olympian shares her daughter Summer, eight, with her ex-husband and fellow swimmer Harry Needs, and her son Albie, two, with her husband Andy.
The mum-of-two has been a household name ever since her double gold-medal win in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Since then, she has been awarded an OBE, taken part in the 13th series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, and worked as a BBC commentator during the Olympics and Commonwealth games.
For baby loss support contact Tommy's www.tommys.org and to learn more about miscarriage visit www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.