On 28th-29th August 2021, Iain and I will be cycling the Great Victorian Rail Trail as part of the EPT80in1 challenge, supporting the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust. The Trust is a UK-based charity that provides support to women worldwide, including in Australia.

We know first-hand what it is like to need the support and advice that the Trust offers. 

In February this year, on Iain's 30th birthday, we found out that I was pregnant. Our happiness and anticipation were quickly taken away from us when I became seriously unwell just a couple of days later. With the dogs in the car and an overnight bag hurriedly packed, we made the long drive down to the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne. When we arrived, our worst fears were sadly confirmed and our hearts were broken. This pregnancy was one of the 1 in 80 pregnancies that is ectopic and my life was at risk. Our only options were surgery or chemotherapy.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo grows outside the womb. Ectopic pregnancy is a common, life-threatening condition that is a leading cause of death in early pregnancy. It affects 1 in 80 pregnancies and women have to face the physical trauma of major invasive treatment, their own mortality, the impact on their future fertility, and the heartbreak of losing their baby all in a short space of time. The impact of awareness of ectopic pregnancy is immense and could save lives.

There are many resources available in Australia for women suffering from other kinds of pregnancy loss but when we looked for resources on ectopic pregnancy, we were unable to find anything. Women suffering from an ectopic pregnancy need specialised advice; the treatment is different to other types of pregnancy loss, comes with a unique set of risks and the recovery is therefore different. 

Whilst some of our close friends and family know that we have gone through this, it's unusual for either of us to be so open about something that has been very personal and profoundly sad. The trauma of pregnancy loss is an incredibly cruel burden that is at once so common and kept so quiet. Everyone reading this will know someone other than us who has suffered pregnancy loss - even if you don't know who they are.

We agreed that we wanted to be open about the trauma that we had experienced in order to contribute to the extraordinary resources of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and the life-saving work that they do.

Most ectopic pregnancies have no diagnosable cause, and so it can affect any pregnancy and anyone. By raising money for the EPT, our hope is that more people will be able to recognise the early signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy and will be able to seek prompt medical attention that could save their lives. 

Following my prolonged physical recovery (aided by many, many sausage dog cuddles), this challenge will not be straightforward. Please help us to make it worthwhile by donating whatever you can to this cause - for the brilliant, life-saving work by the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and for women worldwide.

With love,