Beneath the Scars
This painting was created in the week following my ectopic pregnancy and the surgery that saved my life but also changed my body forever.
The scars you see are my own. They are marks of loss, survival, and healing. They are a physical reminder of the baby we never got to meet, and of the fallopian tube I have unexpectedly had to grieve as well. Something so small, yet so vital, very much taken for granted until it was gone.
The tulips are not just flowers. They are a symbol of the ectopic pregnancy trust, whose support and resources gave me light when I felt in complete darkness. For me, they represent remembrance, hope, and the love we still carry for the children we’ve lost.
The nude figure reflects both vulnerability and strength. Pregnancy loss is often silent, hidden, and not spoken about enough. I wanted to bring that hidden pain into the open; to show the beauty, fragility, and resilience that exists within us, even when broken.
“Beneath the Scars” is about more than grief. It is about survival, about the life that continues after loss, and the hope that still grows from pain. It is for every woman who has felt unseen in their journey, and for every parent who holds a baby only in their heart.
You are not alone.
If I could say one thing: Be gentle with yourself, healing takes time. You are stronger than you know, and though the pain feels endless now, there is hope for brighter days
Thank you to our contributor for sharing their experience. If you would like to share your experience of ectopic pregnancy, please visit our guide for more information.
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