Perrie Edwards of Little Mix has spoken publicly for the first time about the heartbreak of losing a baby at around 24 weeks, describing the moment as the worst day of her life. The 32-year-old singer revealed that she became pregnant again less than a year after welcoming her son Axel in August 2021, but a scan showed the baby’s heart had stopped beating after the five-month mark. She told Paul C Brunson on the podcast We Need To Talk that the news left her sobbing and unable to process what she was hearing, with her fiancé, former footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, offering a moment of blunt reality when he placed a hand on her leg and said, “Oh no.”
Edwards said the experience felt like an out-of-body moment, and she found strength through the support of others, including musician Myleene Klass, who has been active in miscarriage awareness and advocacy and was recently recognized with an MBE for her efforts. Klass’ belief that “the baby stays with you” resonated with Edwards, who reflected that if she is fortunate enough to have another child, her late baby will remain a meaningful part of the family.
The singer also opened up about her earlier miscarriage during an even earlier pregnancy, which happened soon after she discovered she was pregnant. She described that loss as sad but less devastating than carrying a baby to 24 weeks and planning a nursery only to face the heartbreak of a missed heartbeat. Edwards credited the later experience with teaching her about resilience, and she emphasized that she had kept the private sorrow largely to close friends and family until now.
Edwards’ revelations sit within a broader context of miscarriage in the UK. Approximately one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage, and thousands of pregnancies are terminated following prenatal screening each year. A 2017 report examining aftercare for women who lose a baby in pregnancy highlighted some inconsistencies in care across England, despite improvements in many hospitals. In response, the health department announced a package of measures last year aimed at boosting the health and wellbeing of women and girls, including a pilot program that provides medical intervention after every miscarriage.
The interview also touched on Edwards’ long career with Little Mix, the group’s global impact, and its members’ individual paths since the band’s hiatus. Little Mix have sold more than 75 million records and are the third-biggest girl group of all time, with a string of chart-topping moments and a landmark Brit Award for Best British Group in 2021. Since going on hiatus to pursue solo projects, Edwards and her bandmates—Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, and Jesy Nelson—have continued to release music and maintain public profiles.
For listeners who have been affected by miscarriage or pregnancy loss, there are resources and support lines available, and professionals stress the importance of reaching out to trusted friends, family, or healthcare providers during such a difficult time.
What this means moving forward: Edwards’ candid discussion shines a light on the emotional toll of miscarriage and the long road many walk to healing. It also underscores growing advocacy and the hope that more consistent aftercare and support will become standard, helping families navigate grief while continuing to foster hope for future pregnancies.
Summary of key points:
– Perrie Edwards opened up about losing a baby at 24 weeks and the lasting impact on her.
– She described the moment of the loss as devastating and recalled how her fiancé helped her process it.
– She spoke about the comfort and perspective she gained from miscarriage advocates, including Myleene Klass.
– She shared details of her earlier, earlier-pregnancy miscarriage and the difference in impact between the two losses.
– UK miscarriage statistics and past concerns about aftercare were noted, along with ongoing health policy measures and a pilot scheme aimed at improving care after miscarriage.
– Edwards’ career with Little Mix and the group’s achievements provide broader context to her public life and ongoing advocacy.
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