Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE has revealed she sadly suffered a miscarriage earlier this week. Ms Adlington, from Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire, was 12 weeks pregnant with her third child.
The retired swimmer was set to return to her home town on Saturday, August 27 to deliver free taster swimming sessions to young children from the area, but was taken to hospital with her partner, Andy, on Tuesday, August 23. There it was discovered she had had a miscarriage and needed emergency surgery.
The four-time Olympic medallist has said that she is "slowly on the mend", Nottinghamshire Live reports. The 33-year-old announced the sad news on Instagram with a photo of her having a cup of tea.
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In the post, she wrote: "On Tuesday me and Andy went to hospital for our 12 week scan only to discover we’ve had a miscarriage which resulted in emergency surgery.
"I managed to leave hospital Thursday only to be readmitted Friday. After a day of treating sepsis, a kidney infection and a fever I’m slowly on the mend.
"Long way to go but I’m in the right place. I can’t thank the hospitals and the staff enough, been so supportive. It’s such a devastating time but important in times like these we remember we aren’t alone and have so much support."
"@andrewparsons5 you have been my rock this week. Same with family and friends.
"We haven’t managed to process it all yet but I know with their support we’ll get through it. Once I’m able to leave hospital I’m extremely grateful I get to go home and give my 2 little ones the best hugs."
The swimmer is already a mum to two children, 18-month-old Albie with her husband Andy Parsons, and her seven-year-old daughter Summer, with former husband Harry Needs, who she divorced in 2016.
Rebecca met Andy on the dating app Bumble, and the pair got married in August 2021, five months after Albie was born. Rebecca did not announce her most recent pregnancy to the public, although some rumours of the pregnancy did circulate in July.
Since the miscarriage announcement, hundreds have offered support and their condolences. Sports broadcaster Orla Chennaoui said: "I’m so terribly, terribly sorry. So many of us go through this and never talk about it. Your honesty will help so many people. Sending you so much love."
One other user said: "I'm so sorry for you all, you are so brave to share what has happened. Your Insta family are here for you too I'm sure."
Ms Adlington won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics, and two bronze medals at the 2012 Olympics in London, as well as two gold and two bronze Commonwealth Games medals and two World Championship golds. She retired from all competitive swimming at the age of 23 in 2013, but has given lots back to her home town over the years.
This weekend's free swimming session in Mansfield has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 10, as Rebecca continues to provide opportunities for children in the area to learn the life skill of swimming, in addition to the other transferable skills of confidence, determination, resilience and social skills.
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