A devastated Scots woman has shared her heartbreaking experience of having a miscarriage in a bid to help prevent other women from feeling like 'they have failed'.
Vicky Mason said she was left 'numb' after doctors told her during a routine nine-week scan that her baby no longer had a heartbeat.
The 22-year-old, who lives in Glasgow, sobbed after losing her unborn child despite having no warning symptoms of a miscarriage.
Vicky said she struggled with her emotions and found discussing a miscarriage to be a very taboo subject.
She is now opening up on the details of her experience in the hope it will prevent any other women from feeling like their bodies have 'failed' them - or even not wanting to tell anyone at all.
Vicky said: “When we were told they couldn’t find a heartbeat , my partner and I both just couldn’t believe it, we were very numb.
"The whole scan was such a blur.
"I just cried and cried lying on the bed. It was extremely overwhelming.
"Nothing can prepare you for that news. But I was definitely not prepared. I didn't even consider that a miscarriage might happen.
“I thought it wouldn’t be me because I’m young and healthy but I've since found out it really can happen to anyone.
Vicky had not been trying for a baby when she fell pregnant with her partner, but they were both thrilled by the shock positive test result.
She was over the moon at the prospect of becoming a new mum for the first time.
She had attended her nine-week scan last Thursday but was immediately given the devastating news that her baby had stopped growing at eight weeks.
She said: "As unpleasant as miscarriage is, it needs to be spoken of more. It just seems to be such a taboo subject.
"I think it's important people understand how common it is, I didn't know that until now.
"I want to speak up to prevent other women from thinking it was a result of their body failing them, or it was their fault.
"It's a tragic part of life, and it happens to a lot of women."
The NHS say miscarriages 'are much more common than most people realise’, with an estimated about 1 in 8 pregnancies affected.
Many more miscarriages happen before a woman is even aware she has become pregnant.
Despite having her dreams crushed Vicky is refusing to give up hope and is determined to still become a mum one day.
Vicky said: “If anything it’s made me realise what I want in life and I definitely want to try again when I’m ready.
“I will definitely be more aware and conscious in my next pregnancy and probably very anxious too, but hasn’t put me off wanting to try.
“I personally liked hearing other experiences so I know there is hope for the future as my mind automatically went to the idea of I can’t have children, just based off that one experience.
“Now hearing other people's experiences about getting pregnant again and their happy endings really gave me hope in the hardest times.”
