Runner's inspiring challenge after five miscarriages

Eight years ago Alice Draper and her partner Nick Northey started trying for a family, heartbreakingly they experienced five miscarriages.

Initially tests came back inconclusive and the couple were put forward for IVF but after another miscarriage Alice was diagnosed as a balanced translocation chromosome carrier, which may have been a factor for the miscarriages.

Now she is sharing her story to help others, and has channelled her energy into running and raising funds for pregnancy and baby charity Tommy's.

Alice took on Marathons for Miracles in west Dorset last Sunday and will be lacing up her trainers for the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 12 April.

The 41-year-old, from Bridport, said: "In 2024 after a round of IVF and falling pregnant, sadly in our first scan we were told there was no heartbeat, so we ended up having and experiencing five miscarriages."

Alice then learnt she was a balanced translocation chromosome carrier, which presents no health implications for carriers but can cause miscarriage, fertility issues or be passed on to children who may have health problems.

"They can't tell me how many of my eggs are affected, it could just be the five or it could be 100% of my eggs," she said.

Her miscarriages were all in the first trimester, 12 weeks when many people keep quiet about their pregnancy.

She said: "You have to do what feels right. I was pleased I told people because of the support I received afterwards, it helped us survive.

"Anyone who is on this journey or going through infertility and recurrent loss will understand that it is all-consuming."

Talking about how she has coped when others were having children around her, she said: "Bringing a human life into the world should be celebrated, just because my experience hasn't been able to do that, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

"Sometimes I have very sad days, now I feel I can cope a bit better and also I take joy for them. It's hard but it is possible to get through."

Alice, who started running about 10 years ago, said it helped her "process some of the grief and some of the stresses".

"There are occasions when it's been nice to not think of anything and just put one foot in front of the other," she said.

As a passionate supporter of Tommy's, she was keen to get involved with Marathons for Miracles, set up by Olly Brown after his wife Amy suffered a miscarriage.

Olly is running 39 marathons over 39 consecutive weeks in England's 39 historic counties.

Setting off from Symondsbury, Alice joined Olly for the Dorset leg.

Alice admitted there were some tough miles but she had "amazing support from family and friends".

She wants to ensure those going through miscarriage and baby loss know they are not alone.

"Stay strong and never feel afraid of contacting people you need help from."

The London Landmarks Half will be her fourth event for Tommy's and she is hoping to do a fifth challenge to mark the couple's five losses.

If you have been affected by issues in this story, BBC Action Line has details of available support.