Perrie Edwards, the acclaimed singer, has recently shared a deeply personal and heart-wrenching experience: the loss of her baby at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Her candid revelation sheds light on the profound grief and trauma that accompany such a loss, and the importance of open conversations surrounding pregnancy loss.

Speaking with raw honesty, Perrie described the moment she and her partner, footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, received the devastating news during a routine 22-week scan. "It felt like it came out of nowhere," she recounted, explaining that previous scans had shown no cause for concern. The unexpected revelation shattered their world, leaving them grappling with immense sorrow.

Perrie and Alex welcomed their son, Axel, in August 2021, whom she lovingly refers to as their "rainbow baby." This term, full of hope and healing, describes a child born after a previous pregnancy loss, symbolizing the light that emerges after a storm. While Axel's arrival brought immense joy, the memory of their previous loss remained a painful undercurrent in their lives.

The experience, as Perrie articulated, was deeply traumatic. Beyond the emotional pain, her body began to physically prepare for the baby's arrival, further amplifying the sense of loss. "A few days later, I remember being in the shower and my milk came in," she shared, recalling the moment with palpable distress.

She remembers the moment vividly, calling out to her mother in shock and disbelief. Her mother, while comforting, explained that this was a natural occurrence following pregnancy, highlighting the cruel reality of her body's preparation for a baby that would not arrive. This physical manifestation of her loss was, in her words, "the worst bit."

Amidst her grief, Perrie found strength in her partner, Alex. She emphasized his unwavering support and the immense worry he carried for her. Despite feeling helpless, his presence and love provided a source of comfort during the darkest of times. She highlighted how he tried to be strong for her despite experiencing his own emotional trauma.

Perrie also acknowledged the societal taboos surrounding pregnancy loss, particularly beyond the early stages. She expressed frustration with those who dismiss the significance of such losses, stating, "So what? It wasn’t even a baby." She firmly countered this sentiment, emphasizing that losing a baby at 24 weeks is a profound loss that requires recognition and sensitivity. She expressed the need for people to understand the physical and emotional realities of late-term pregnancy loss.

Perrie bravely shared that delivering the baby is still necessary, highlighting the physical toll and emotional weight of the experience. She is calling for a shift in societal attitudes, urging for greater understanding and compassion towards those who have experienced similar tragedies.

The Power songstress said she was overwhelmed with the reaction from sharing her story publicly. “It's been lovely. So many people have reached out, like family members or friends that I didn't know went through it as well, so I think it is important to talk about," Perrie said.

The singer explained that she discovered she was pregnant again “not even a year” after her son’s birth. She recalled: “I was rehearsing for the last Little Mix tour, and I thought, ‘I don’t feel good’. Every symptom under the sun. I was like, ‘I think I’m pregnant’."

But then unfortunately she lost the baby in what she said was "just the worst day of my life." Perrie explained: "We went for what was a 20-week scan, but we were actually 22 weeks, and that was just the worst day of my life.

She emphasized the need for education regarding the female body and the realities of pregnancy. She stated that there was a lot of, “So what? It wasn’t even a baby.’ And I'm like, ‘Okay, this is where you need to start learning about the female body and learning about pregnancies."

Drawing parallels to mental health, Perrie highlighted the stigma surrounding baby loss. She suggested that women may feel ashamed or responsible when miscarriages occur, perpetuating a cycle of silence and isolation. She advocated for greater sensitivity and awareness to combat these harmful perceptions.

Perrie spoke openly about her first miscarriage before the birth of her son Axel in 2021, occurred very early in the pregnancy. “I remember finding out I was pregnant. Obviously, I started bleeding not long after, and I went to hospital and I had the scan and they were like, ‘There's no baby.'"

Perrie explained that: "Like, horrendous. I just knew something was wrong in the scan. I’ve never experienced an out-of-body experience where everything goes in slow motion." Two weeks later, the duo were given the heartbreaking news that there was no heartbeat.

Perrie added: "It's weird, because the first time it happened, I think because it was so early, I was like, ‘Oh, that's hard’. But I think when you're 24 weeks and you've planned out that room and all these things, it's really hard. And nobody knows other than immediate friends and family."

She said: "I remember sobbing. Alex was injured at the time and couldn’t really drive. He was struggling to drive, but I couldn’t see straight. I was just distraught. We basically lost the baby at, like, 24 weeks.”

Perrie concluded that change is needed when it comes to miscarriages and how society approaches it. “I think it's the same kind of thing with mental health. Baby loss is still a bit taboo," the singer explained.

“I don't know if it's because women are made to feel ridiculed in some way, like it's their fault when baby loss or miscarriages happen. There's so much in it, that that's not the case at all. I think people just need to be a bit more sensitive to it all.”

Perrie's courage in sharing her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of open conversations, empathy, and support for those navigating the complexities of pregnancy loss. Her voice amplifies the need for a more compassionate and understanding society, where grief can be acknowledged, and healing can begin.

By breaking the silence, Perrie Edwards contributes to a vital dialogue, fostering greater awareness and encouraging others to share their experiences, ultimately creating a more supportive and understanding community for those who have experienced the profound loss of a baby.