Perrie Edwards says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was traumatised after 22-week pregnancy loss as she prepares for second child and solo debut

Perrie Edwards has revealed that her fiancé, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, was traumatised after she lost their baby at 22 weeks of pregnancy. The Little Mix star, 32, is now pregnant with their second child, following the birth of their son Axel in 2021. The couple became engaged in 2022 after five years together.

Edwards said the ordeal also affected Alex, who felt a lack of control while trying to support her. 'We are very lucky to have each other. We love each other so much. He was just so worried about me, and I think he felt the lack of control, like there was nothing he could really do.'

She added that his presence through the experience helped ease the burden. 'But him just being there, and being by my side through the whole thing, just made it so much better. I kept asking him, 'Are you okay?', and he's like, 'It's not about me,' and I'm like, 'Yes it is though'. We both lost a baby. We both went through it. He’s very like that with emotions, he tries to just suck it up and move on. But I could see that he was traumatised about it. I think he just wanted to try and be strong for me.'

Edwards recalled that her world 'crumbled' when the 22-week loss was revealed, and the grief was compounded when she began producing milk. 'It felt like it came out of nowhere. Every scan before had been fine, we just weren't expecting to go into the 22-week scan, and for our world to just crumble. And then the whole experience was very traumatic.' She described the moment she realized her milk had come in: 'A few days later, I remember being in the shower and my milk came in. I remember just going out the room like, 'Mam!', and she was like, 'What, what, what?', and I was like, 'I’ve got milk!' She was like, 'Oh, darling, they said this would happen.' But I just wasn't expecting it. I was devastated. That was the worst bit. My body was prepared for the baby, but the baby was gone.'

Now focused on expanding her family, Edwards is also preparing for her solo debut. The self-titled album is due Sept. 26, and she described it as a milestone after years in the group and after the other members pursued solo projects. 'It's wild. But we just love each other so much, we just want to see each other do well and see each other win,' she said. 'We'll always message each other, because we know we can depend on each other for advice. It is fun doing the solo stuff and seeing how different we all are individually, but I think that's why Little Mix worked so well, because our different personalities and tastes just worked for the group.'

Edwards also addressed one of the album's more personal moments. She hinted that 'Same Place, Different View' references a friendship that ended, saying it was 'probably' the most difficult to write because it touches on a real split within the inner circle. 'It's about a friendship that I once had, that I no longer have anymore. We talk about breakups and heartbreak, but we don't normally talk about friendships that break down. And it was like losing a limb. I was with her every day. We lived in each other's pockets. The best of friends, we were so close, and we did everything together. To then not have her in my life anymore was a big thing for me. I found it really hard to adapt.'

The Glamour interview coincides with the release of Glamour's latest issue. The Sands National Helpline provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby. You can call the Sands Helpline on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk.