Former NRL star Tom Burgess and his wife, model Tahlia Giumelli, are using their personal tragedy to shed light on the silent grief of ectopic pregnancy. The couple recently endured the devastating loss of their fourth child, an experience Giumelli has bravely shared on social media to foster community and awareness for other women.
A Joyful Surprise Turns to Heartbreak
The couple discovered they were expecting their fourth child just last month, a revelation Giumelli described as "the surprise of a lifetime." Initial joy, however, was swiftly replaced by fear when complications arose while Tom was away for work. What was initially thought to be a miscarriage was soon diagnosed as something more critical.
"An ectopic pregnancy. Emergency surgery," Giumelli wrote. "The loss of a baby, and the loss of a part of my body I never imagined saying goodbye to." An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. Such pregnancies are not viable and, if left untreated, can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
A Message of Solidarity, Not Sympathy
In her heartfelt Instagram post, Giumelli was clear that her intention was not to seek sympathy but to break the isolation that often surrounds this type of loss. She emphasised that she is being supported by a "village" of women, her husband who prioritised her healing, and their three children who remind her of life's fullness.
"This is a post for awareness," she stated. "For the quiet grief that doesn’t always have language. For the women navigating loss alongside hospital rooms, monitors, fear, and shock. For the stories that so often go untold." She directly addressed others walking a similar path, assuring them, "If this is your story, or part of it, please know this: you are not alone."
Building a Family Amidst Life's Challenges
Tom Burgess, who made 249 appearances for the South Sydney Rabbitohs over 12 seasons before moving to the Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League, and Tahlia Giumelli married in 2022 after postponing their wedding due to COVID-19 restrictions. They are already parents to three young children: daughters Sophie, 6, and Elodie, 5, and son Alfie, who was born in August last year.
By sharing their deeply personal story, the couple hopes to contribute to a more open conversation about ectopic pregnancy and the complex pregnancy loss that many women endure in silence. Their courage provides a powerful reminder of the importance of community and shared experience in the face of unimaginable pain.
