BBC presenter Keeley Donovan has announced that she experienced a miscarriage recently, and she has said that a symptom of the pregnancy had led to her absence from TV.
Keeley, 39 - who's a weather presenter for the broadcaster, alongside reporting for shows like Inside Out and BBC Look North - returned to work last week after some time off.
She took to Instagram yesterday to discuss her absence, explaining that it was due to "horrid morning sickness". She also shared with her followers that she had a miscarriage.
The presenter - who is married to BBC radio host Johnny I'Anson, with whom she shares daughter Scout, two - opened up about the experience in the post this week.
She wrote in her recent post: "I returned to work last week but you might not have seen me around for a while, the truth is I've been off with horrid morning sickness."
"Unfortunately the day before our 12 week scan I started to show signs of a miscarriage. At the scan there was no heartbeat. A few days later I ended up back in hospital because of heavy blood loss," she continued.
Keeley said it's been a "sad and worrying time," adding: "It's awful to think that so many people go through this but I have found comfort in knowing that miscarriages aren't uncommon."
She said talking to friends who have been through a similar experience has "really helped". She also recommended reaching out to charities like Tommy's and CRADLE Charity.
Keeley added: "It still feels like a subject that lots of us don't know enough about. I had no idea, for example, about how traumatic the physical side of a miscarriage can be."
"One of the many emotions I've felt is shame. I can't help wondering if this is one of the reasons it's not more widely talked about," she further wrote in the recent post.
Keeley said she was sharing her post to add "to the dialogue," explaining: "Maybe it will help someone in a tiny way to know they aren't alone in their experience."
She concluded by expressing gratitude to people in her life, writing: "Thank you to our friends, family and colleagues who have been so kind to us over the past few weeks."
The Miscarriage Association (01924 200 799) miscarriageassociation.org.uk supports women affected by miscarriage, ectopic and molar pregnancies.
If you’re worried about a loved one you can also call the helpline which is manned Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm, or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
