Former Love Island star Shaughna Phillips has bravely revealed a terrifying health scare during her pregnancy, confessing she was convinced she was suffering a heart attack.
The reality TV personality, who is currently expecting her first child, described an episode of severe heart palpitations so intense that it sent her into a panic, fearing the worst for herself and her unborn baby.
A Terrifying Ordeal
Phillips detailed the incident, explaining how a sudden and overwhelming sensation of her heart "beating out of her chest" prompted immediate alarm. Rushed by concern, she believed she was experiencing a full-blown cardiac event, a frightening thought for any expectant mother.
After the panic subsided and following medical consultation, the 29-year-old was able to identify the true culprit: crippling perinatal anxiety. The physical manifestation of her mental health struggle had presented itself through acute physical symptoms, blurring the line between psychological and physical distress.
The Hidden Struggle of Perinatal Anxiety
Phillips is now using her platform to shed light on the often-overlooked aspect of pregnancy: mental wellbeing. Her experience highlights how anxiety can manifest with intense physical symptoms, which can be easily mistaken for other serious medical conditions.
By sharing her story, the influencer aims to destigmatise conversations around mental health during pregnancy and encourage other women to speak openly about their fears and seek help without shame.
Her candid admission serves as a powerful reminder that the journey to motherhood, while often portrayed as purely joyful, can also be fraught with unseen challenges and vulnerabilities.
