Running London Landmark's Half Marathon for the Miscarriage Association (MA)
I'm running to raise funds for the Miscarriage Association. The story below explains how I got to learn about them.

Spring 2022. I remember the steps going up the stairs. I remember Alicia's surprised (scared? amused? I couldn't really tell) facial expression. She was pregnant! We were so excited. We weren't patient enough to wait until her first NHS scan, as 12 weeks seemed way too long to say hello to our future baby. So we booked a private scan at a clinic near Warren Street. I seem to recall the soft voice of the lady that did the scan, it wasn't good news. We spent Easter at home, with Alicia taking codeine to alleviate the strong pains derived from the medically managed miscarriage.

Summer 2022. We decided to try again for a baby soon after Alicia physically recovered. We had read that fertility is higher immediately after a miscarriage, so why not give it a go? Soon after, we had another positive test. We felt excited and cautious, but mostly excited. The NHS provides early scans to anyone that has suffered a miscarriage, hence we booked her scan around week 6. Again, we didn't receive good news. For a second time, we were directed to a small room to wait until the doctor would explain us Alicia's options to manage the miscarriage. For a second time, we read the MA pamphlets to decide whether medical management or surgery was to be chosen.

Spring 2023. Alicia's third miscarriage, about 9 months later, was the toughest by far. She decided to go again for medical management. In case you don't know, this involves taking a pill which activates uterine contractions similar to the ones experienced during labour, until embryo and placenta are expelled from the body. This process usually takes between one and three weeks, and it can be extremely painful. In her case, after more than two weeks of intense pain and significant bleeding, there seemed to be no signs of recovery. At A&E doctors discovered she had infection, and recommended emergency surgery because she was at risk of sepsis.

Why raise funds for the Miscarriage Association? Alicia suffered three missed miscarriages between 2022 and 2023. These were very difficult experiences both emotionally and physically. Throughout them, the Miscarriage Association provided us with important information that helped us immensely to set our expectations and make decisions on how to manage the following days.

The MA's mission is that "everyone affected by pregnancy loss gets the care, support and information that's right for them". This mission resonated with us and we wanted to contribute to alleviate other people' uncertainty in similar circumstances. At that time, summer 2023, I was losing my breath every time I was going up the stairs at the Clerkenwell office. When I found out that the MA were setting up a team for London Landmark's Half Marathon, I thought I would try to contribute to their fundraising while getting back in shape.

Fast forward 10 months to today: still not in shape but yet asking for your money. It would mean a lot to Alicia and me if you joined us in supporting the MA's mission. Thank you for your contribution!