COVENTRIAN Becky Rowley is to take on an epic 80 mile charity challenge to raise funds and awareness for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.
Ectopic pregnancies, which occur when the embryo grows outside the womb, affects around 1 in 80 pregnancies and can be life-threatening.
The trust supports women who have suffered an ectopic pregnancy and their families.
Becky said: “I decided to take on the challenge because I experienced an ectopic pregnancy in December last year.
The day father Becky found out she was pregnant she started spotting.
Over the following week in the run up to Christmas Becky was scanned, and her bloods taken.
“We were told it was probably ok, but to return for a further scan after Christmas. We were so worried but hoped for the best.
“On the 27th of December the scan confirmed an ectopic pregnancy and just 3 hours later I underwent surgery to remove the pregnancy and my left tube.
“I was so sad and scared. It didn’t feel real. Between the scan and going into surgery, it was all such a whirlwind. I alternated between crying and disbelief.”
Becky wanted to share her story to help raise awareness and let other women, who have been through a similar experience know they are not alone.
“A friend on Facebook took part in the 80in1 challenge last year and shared her story,” explained Becky. “It really resonated with me, when, only four months later I was in hospital with the same thing. It meant I was able to reach out to someone who’d been through what I had – and it meant a lot.”
Becky’s challenge began on Monday (August 1) the first ever Ectopic Pregnancy Awareness Day. She will be walking and running 80 miles through August.
Hosted by The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, the day will strive to increase the population’s knowledge of the condition.
Munira Oza, director of The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust said: “Each year in the UK, nearly 12,000 women are diagnosed with ectopic pregnancies and, from anecdotal evidence, the number of cases may be more than 30,000.
“Sadly, the baby can never be saved and the condition remains a leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester.”
Visit www.ectopic.org.uk for more information .
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/becky-rowley to donate.
