Performer Laura Benanti opened up about her devastating pregnancy loss on Wednesday, explaining to her Instagram followers she'd suffered a miscarriage while performing on stage in front of 2,000 people. The 43-year-old has a special reason for sharing her painful story with fans.
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Laura made a lengthy statement on her Instagram account about what happened
The caption accompanied a photo of Laura from her recent performance aboard a cruise liner, on which she'd been traveling with her family.
"On Monday April 3rd, I performed on stage for 2,000 people while having a miscarriage," she began her post. "I knew it was happening. It started slowly the night before. If it had been our first loss, or even our second, I likely wouldn't have been able to go on. But unfortunately, I am not a stranger to the pain and emptiness of losing a pregnancy."
The mother of two credited her husband and those around her for helping her find the strength to perform
Laura said that she and husband Patrick Brown have walked this path "hand in hand" before, but this time they were joined by even more people who Laura says helped lift her up in her darkest hour.
"Thank you to everyone in that audience for the grace your presence allowed," she continued. "Thank you to my band for holding me, unconditionally, in your hearts, and to the crew for working so hard to make me as comfortable as possible. Thank you to my friends and fellow performers for rallying around me and so graciously accommodating my changing needs."
Fortunately, Laura had extra support on the ship when everything happened
Laura and Patrick's daughter Ella was on hand for the performance — even joining her mama on stage at one point for a duet — but Laura says her in-laws stepped in during the worst of her pain and helped keep Ella busy.
"Thank you to my remarkable Mother-in-law and Father-in-law for shielding Ella from the reality of this experience and giving her the time of her life while 'Mama's back hurt,'" the post continued.
She also had some kind words for the baby she lost
While the grief of losing her baby must've been unimaginable, Laura took a moment to share how grateful she was to have had a chance to carry her pregnancy, no matter how brief it ended up being.
"Thank you to that little soul for choosing me as your home, even for a short time," she wrote before talking about her other two daughters and how much she appreciates the family she has.
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Laura wants her fans to know that they're not alone if they've experienced the same type of loss
Laura finished her incredibly candid post by explaining how she had made the post in the hopes that it would reach someone who needed to read it.
"I share all of this, not to garner sympathy or attention, but to remind the many people and families who have and will suffer in this way that there is no shame in this kind of loss," she continued. "That you are not alone. And to remind myself as well."
Our thoughts are with Laura, Patrick, and their two little girls.
