AFL star Ben Brown's heartbreaking baby tragedy
North Melbourne star Ben Brown has posted a heartbreaking photo on Instagram to reveal he and his wife Hester’s baby tragedy.
Brown, who is in Queensland ahead of his team’s match with the Adelaide Crows on Saturday at Metricon Stadium, revealed his family had lost one of their twin babies, due in 2021.
Sharing a message from his wife, Brown said the couple had lost one of their baby twins before they were even able to hear a heartbeat or see the child for the first time through an ultrasound.
The couple, who celebrated the birth of their daughter Aila in December 2018, revealed they were shattered to have lost their precious second twin.
The heartbreaking news was presented with an emotional image which showed an ultrasound of their child.
“This is bittersweet to announce, but I believe that if we don’t talk about difficult things we will never come to know that we aren’t alone,” Hester said.
“I knew I had two babies from the very start. They came to me in a dream and I knew I could feel them there. The hyperemesis felt like an indication too. But between being relocated around the country several times and quarantine periods we didn’t get to hear a heartbeat or see our babies until there was just one to see.
“We are very grateful to have another beautiful baby join our family next year and we know that we are fortunate and will cherish what we have but we will also carry broken hearts for the beautiful twin who we will never hold in our arms.
“I know that miscarrying/vanishing twins are common. But that doesn’t take the hurt away. And I just want to extend my love and my hand to anyone who has or is going through this. You are not alone.”
North Melbourne posted a brief statement on Twitter confirming the tragedy.
“Our thoughts are with Ben and Hester Brown at this incredibly tough time,” the club said.
The couple were married in Tasmania in 2017 at the historic Shene Estate and Distillery near Hobart.