16 August 2023 , 08:53
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Sharon Gaffka has been supported by her famous pals and fans after revealing she suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage 18 months ago.
The 27-year-old Love Island star issued a trigger warning on Instagram before sharing her experience with pregnancy loss a year on from what would have been her baby’s due date. Posting an emotional selfie with a tear running down her face, she said her grief had hit her “like a train”.
Revealing she had found it “incredibly tough to function” this week, Sharon said she had “struggled to find a space where the unique emotional journey that those who don’t envision motherhood in their future go through when facing such a loss, being talked about openly”.
But her pals, such as fellow Love Islander Georgia Harrison, were quick to comment underneath praising Sharon for sharing her experience so openly. “Very proud of you chick. You would have helped a lot of other girls being so open with your feelings and I hope you give yourself space to heal xxxx.”
Georgia Townend, who appeared in series seven of the hit ITV2 dating show, wrote: “Sending you all the love and more,” followed by a love heart emoji. While Gogglebox star Lisa Baggs wrote: “Been there 3 times darling... it’s such a horrible experience to go through x sending lots of love x.”
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Sharon opened up on what would have been her baby's due date (Instagram)
The reality star shared an emotional post about pregnancy loss with fans (Instagram)The full post read: “TW: pregnancy loss!! You know that classic saying… 'Be kind because you don’t know what someone is going through', I’ve been trying to find the strength to be open about something I’ve been healing from for the past eighteen months.
“I want to start by saying that everyone’s healing process is different. The foetus I miscarried would’ve been celebrating their first birthday this week. Which hit me like a train and I have surprisingly found it incredibly tough to function as I normally would.
“Miscarriage affects 1 in 4 women in the UK. While I know I’m not the only one to have experience such loss, I’ve struggled with finding a space where the unique emotional journey that those who don't envision motherhood in their future go through when facing such a loss, being talked about openly."
Sharon's Love Island pal Georgia Harrison offered her support (SplashNews.com)
Georgia Townend also sent love (Instagram)Sharon continued: “For individuals who never intended to become parents, the grief following a miscarriage is confusing. The traditional narrative surrounding motherhood doesn't apply, making it challenging to find spaces that resonate with their feelings.“
The reality star added: “My healing process has had to come in stages, weirdly one of the things I was the most scared about was people finding out and having strangers comment on it. But once those feelings passed, I’ve had to contend with feelings of failure. How as such an ‘accomplished’ woman - can I be a failure? I can only put it down to societal norms that as a woman, this is what my body “is supposed to do”, which has only amplified the grief.
“Grief is not a linear process, I’m tired of being told that time is healer and this truth is especially evident in the aftermath of miscarriage for those who never planned to have children. Feelings of loss, confusion, guilt, and even relief can surface unexpectedly, and these emotions are all valid.
“Breaking the silence surrounding miscarriage is crucial. For individuals who don't want children, opening up these conversations can lead to validation, understanding, and a sense of community.“
Sharon concluded her post by saying: “Putting this into the public domain isn’t for sympathy, it’s for my own healing so thank you for reading this far if you did.“
In another post in her Instagram stories a few hours after going public with her experience, Sharon thanked her followers for the outpouring of support she had received.
She wrote: “Wow, my inbox is FLOODED regarding my recent post. I will try and read and reply to everyone, if I can! I am currently sat on a train and I have a feeling that I’ll get emotional if I start reading everything now. Thank you to everyone who has sent love, and sending a huge hug to everyone who’s shared their own story with me. I feel seen, and I hope you do too!”
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If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at the Miscarriage Association. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email [email protected]