Miscarriage signs and symptoms, as Hilaria Baldwin shares the loss of her baby in real time

Hilaria Baldwin has been praised online for opening up about the often taboo topic of miscarriage.

Last week the 35-year-old, wellness advocate took to social media to share the news that she was pregnant with her fifth child, but was at risk of losing the baby. Now, the wellness expert has confirmed she has suffered a miscarriage.

Taking to Instagram to share the sad news Hilaria posting a family snapshot of herself and husband Alec Baldwin posing with their four children.

“There was no heartbeat today at my scan,” she wrote in the accompanying caption. “So it’s over. But I have some pretty strong and amazing heartbeats right here. I am surrounded by such love and I feel so fortunate.

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She went on to thank her fans for their support and for sharing their own personal stories of miscarriage.

“We are stronger together. I hope this conversation continues to grow and that we stick together through both the beautiful and challenging moments in life. Much love and appreciation to all of you.”

Just as her previous post prompted commenters to share their own experiences of pregnancy loss, Baldwin was once again praised for shining a light on a topic that isn’t often openly discussed.

“It’s really brave to share such a thing,” one user wrote. “I have been through this when I was young and it was devastating. Nowadays my daughter is 18 years old! Keep on smiling and with your family love everything will be all right.”

“My sympathies, Hilaria and family. In your position of importance you can really make a difference for all of us who have been silenced by societal pressure. Thank you for sharing your story and opening this dialogue publicly,” another commented.

As well as trying to normalise the conversation surrounding the topic of pregnancy loss, Hilaria has also helped raise awareness about the symptoms of early miscarriage.

What are the symptoms of early miscarriage?

According to Liz Halliday, Deputy Head of Midwifery at Private Midwives the most common sign of miscarriage is vaginal bleeding.

“This can present as bright red, pink or brown bleeding, and may be very light (spotting) or heavier (more like a heavy period).

“However, light spotting can be quite common in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, so don’t worry too much if you experience some, but it’s advisable to speak to your health care provider for reassurance and investigations if this is happening to you,” she adds.

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Liz says you might also experience some period like cramping, some vaginal discharge or you might pass some blood clots.

“Some women find that a sudden cessation of pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness or breast tenderness can be a sign, but this is also common around 12-14 weeks as part of the normal physiology of pregnancy,” she explains.

What to do if you experience these symptoms

“If you are concerned that you might be having a miscarriage, the best thing to do is contact your health care provider for advice and attend an Early Pregnancy Unit where they can offer you blood tests and a scan to see what is happening,” Liz suggests.

They will also offer you support and advice if you are experiencing a miscarriage.

“If you experience severe pain (often one sided), sudden vomiting or diarrhoea, feeling unwell, shoulder tip pain or heavy bleeding, it is important to attend your nearest hospital immediately (if you are unable to travel or do not have your own transport call 999 and ask for an ambulance) as you could be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy or an infection and you may need emergency medical care,” Liz adds.