On 4 January 2020, Ben and I found out we were expecting our third child. Those who know me weren't surprised when I immediately started planning whether I would still be able to run the London and Boston marathons later in the Spring.....little did we know what 2020 had in store for us all! 

We decided to tell our two young daughters (then 3 and 5) and immediate family straight away, followed closely by those friends and colleagues who I saw frequently. I knew that I would 'show' early and I couldn't be bothered with the faff of hiding a bump or pretending that giving up caffeine was my New Years resolution. When, just a few days later, I developed a sizeable baby bump, I was glad I’d gone public so early. There was no hiding it and, very quickly, the joke with everyone I met was that I must be carrying twins.

Everything changed when on the 19 February 2020 a scan at 11 weeks pregnant showed I had had a missed miscarriage. This is when the baby has died or not developed but has not been physically miscarried. The scan was a horrific moment, but even in my worst nightmares I couldn’t have imagined what would unfold over the coming weeks. A lot happened, but if you have 10 minutes to spare, grab a cuppa, buckle up and read my story here: https://www.daysthatmatter.org.uk/libby-19-february/ (trigger warning of distressing content) 

The Miscarriage Association were a lifeline for us at this distressing time. Their information and advice educated me on so many things: on missed miscarriage and what this is; options for completing a missed miscarriage; guidance on explaining the death of our baby to our two young children; how to prepare for and cope with a natural miscarriage at home; options for dealing with the remains of your baby and much, much more. I would have been lost without them and hope that through my fundraising I can raise awareness and be a small part of ensuring that their vital work can continue.