Sophie Wessex looked great yesterday as she showed off her baby bump for the first time.

Dressed in a low-cut white summer dress and a long-line dark jacket, the Countess, 42, attended the opening of St John Ambulance new Headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey.

Sophie and Prince Edward, who have spoken openly about their hope for a second child, had all but given up after undergoing unsuccessful fertility treatment.

The Countess lost her first baby and almost died in 2001 when she suffered an ectopic pregnancy – where the foetus grows outside the womb – and had to be airlifted to hospital.

She spoke afterwards of her great sadness and said she would consider undergoing IVF treatment to conceive.

Two years later, Lady Louise was born prematurely, weighing just 4lb 9oz, after the countess was taken to hospital suffering from agonising stomach pains.

The baby was delivered by emergency Caesarean section and taken to a neo-natal unit at another hospital.

Sophie, who was dangerously ill, was separated from her daughter for six days. Lady Louise was allowed home two weeks later when she reached the crucial weight of 5lb.

SOURCE

Labels: Royals, The Countess of Wessex