A woman who nearly died after suffering an ectopic pregnancy is trying to turn tragedy into triumph by raising awareness.In May last year Annmarie Pearson was in the early stages of pregnancy and looking forward to being a mum for the first time.

A woman who nearly died after suffering an ectopic pregnancy is trying to turn tragedy into triumph by raising awareness.

In May last year Annmarie Pearson was in the early stages of pregnancy and looking forward to being a mum for the first time.

When she started experiencing light bleeding she was told it was a urine infection and several days after that diagnosis her GP said she could be suffering a miscarriage.

But five days later she was rushed to hospital screaming in agony in a critical condition because she was having an ectopic pregnancy-where the baby grows outside the uterus often in the fallopian tube-and which kills five women in the UK each year. Nicole Kidman suffered one when married to Tom Cruise.

The 27-year-old from Dereham said: “When this was happening I had no idea what was going on. My husband was breaking every speed limit and I was screaming in agony. It was so scary.

“It's a terrifying experience nobody can prepare for. But by knowing a bit more about it you have more control and awareness.

“People know what symptoms to look for in common diseases like meningitis, yet ectopic pregnancy is hardly talked about.

“For most women the only reason they know anything about it is because it's happened to them and it's too late.

“Physically I'm over it, emotionally I'm not. It was a baby a perfectly formed baby but it was just in the wrong place. I'm scared of getting pregnant again.

“Ectopic pregnancies usually happen in the early stages so often women haven't told friends and work colleagues they were pregnant so to come back and have to explain-it's difficult to know what to say. Many people end up not saying anything hence the low awareness of it.

“The statistics are set to rapidly rise too. One in 10 15-25-year-olds has a chance of catching Chlamydia which vastly increases the chance of having an ectopic pregnancy.

“There's such stigma attached to it no-one talks about it. And the consequences of ignoring it and the repercussions are life threatening.

“It's not just women that need to be educated it's the whole nation including the medical profession. My doctor thought it was a miscarriage instead of ectopic pregnancy.

“There's a new non invasive treatment which means the fallopian tube can remain in tact but it needs to be spotted early enough which isn't happening.”

Now in a bid to educate people and raise money for one of the only charities in the world solely dedicated to ectopic pregnancies-The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust- Mrs Pearson is organising a ball.

The event will take place at the Norwich airport Holiday Inn on Friday May 8 to commemorate when she lost her baby. There will be a speaker from the trust, a three course meal and entertainment throughout.

Tickets are £40. For more information contact 07795563627 or email Annmarie@Apakmove.co.uk.