You spend most of your adult life trying not to get pregnant, all sorts of different contraceptives to prevent it. Then you decide that you want to get pregnant and you think it will be straight forwards. You think it will happen straight away and your family will be complete. And it happens, you're over the moon and then it all goes wrong. No one prepares you for the fact you might bleed, it probably isn't normal and you will spend agonising weeks waiting for the professionals to tell you everything is ok with your baby. The baby that will complete your family. And then they tell you the words you never imagined they would tell you "I'm sorry but you're having a miscarriage". You're never told that things can go wrong, it's not something ever discussed. But it does and it has - three times now for us. It's been a torturous 18 month journey for us. A journey nobody prepares you for. And a journey that now involves blood tests, invasive tests, possible drugs. Fertility is taken for granted but never discussed when things go wrong.

During all the heartache, Tommys charity has been a source of support. Reading stories of other couples in the same situation as us, some going through much worse, some sharing their stories of hope but all have been in that room with the sonographer shattering their dream of a perfect family. They all talk about reaching anniversaries, the day your baby should have been born, the anniversary of your miscarriage and other events that serve to remind you of what could have been. Their #miscourage campaign has been such a source of comfort, I knew I had to give something back. The campaign encourages people to talk about losses in pregnancy, to stop it becoming that secret everyone is scared to discuss. I'm guilty of it too. As open as I have been with close friends and family, it's sometimes difficult when people ask "so are you not planning a family yet". Out of not wanting to upset people, often the stock line of "I like my freedom" is wheeled out. Why shouldn't we discuss something as common as miscarriage. If my experiences can help just one person going through the same, why shouldn't it be openly discussed and not a taboo subject!

I'm doing the Manchester 10k. Those who know me know that I don't run. I can't run so I wanted to push myself for a good cause.

So this is for the parents with Angel babies, the grandparents without a grandchild in their arms, the friends who support those families and the wonderful charities and professionals that help people like us on a daily basis. This is for all the women whose words have made us continue this journey.

This is for our 3 Angel babies ❤️

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