Rebecca Adlington reveals her heartache as she suffers a devastating miscarriage

Devastated Rebecca Adlington has revealed she has suffered a late-term miscarriage.

The former Olympic swimmer shared this News At Instagram Tonight she told fans that she gave birth to a daughter named Harper on Friday evening.

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Rebecca, 34, wrote on Instagram: “I’m at a loss for the right words at the moment but unfortunately we had our 20 week scan this week and they didn’t detect a heartbeat.”

“I gave birth to our angel Harper on Friday at 7 p.m. We held her and spent time with her.”

“We will love and remember her forever.”

Becky thanked the staff at Wythenshawe hospital for caring for her and praised partner Andy for his “selfless support, love and help” and said she “couldn’t have survived without him”.

She continued: “I don’t have the strength or the words right now and don’t feel ready to share this news. However, I can’t pretend everything is fine or fake a smile. I can’t let people ask me how the pregnancy is going or when I’m pregnant because I still look pregnant.

“We are truly heartbroken. Our beautiful girl. Rest in peace.”

Friends and fans gathered to express their condolences.

Fellow athlete Greg Rutherford said: “Sending you all my love. I’m so sorry to read this Becky xx.”

Olympic hero Jessica Ennis Hill wrote: “Oh Becky, sending you and your family so much love. I’m so sorry xxxx.”

ice Hockey Star Sam Quek said: “Becky, I know no words can ease the pain… my whole heart goes out to you all.”

TV presenter Angellica Bell said: “Sending you so much love. I’m so sorry xx.”

The NHS states that a late miscarriage occurs when a baby is lost between 12 and 24 weeks and the mother experiences frequent contractions.

Becky’s tragic loss comes a year after she suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks.

The Bathe Champion, who shares son Albie with Andrew and daughter Summer with ex Harry Needs, said in August 2022: “On Tuesday, Andy and I went to the hospital for our 12-week scan and discovered we had a miscarriage, which led to emergency surgery.”

“I was able to leave the hospital on Thursday but was readmitted on Friday.

“After a day of treatment sepsis, kidney inflammation and fever, I’m slowly on the road to recovery. It’s a long road, but I’m in the right place.

Rebecca has been dating facility manager Andy, 31, since 2018 after meeting on dating App Bumble.

Talking about how they met, she said HELLO! Magazine: “I’ve only been using the app for a month and Andy was the first person I went on a date with, so I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.”

“We chatted for a few weeks and the conversation went smoothly before we met at a crazy golf course in Liverpool.

“I was really afraid that he would be completely different from how he looks, otherwise we wouldn’t get along, but after about five minutes I relaxed and thought, ‘That’s OK.’

“It wasn’t awkward at all and it just clicked.”

Andy added: “At first I thought Becky’s profile was fake but then I checked she was who she said she was.”

They tied the knot in 2020 and welcomed Albie a year later.

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