In today’s world, social media is often seen as a perfectly polished window into people’s lives.
The world of influencers, especially, thrives on carefully curated content that showcases life’s most beautiful moments.
For Emily Blackwell, a former Made In Chelsea star turned influencer, this was no exception when she planned to announce her pregnancy and upcoming arrival.
Her Instagram account became a platform for sharing every step of her journey—from a picture-perfect pregnancy announcement to endless photos of her growing baby bump.
But behind the scenes, Emily was living through a terrifying experience that no influencer’s feed could truly capture.
An Instagram Journey That Hid a Hidden Struggle
In September 2024, Emily excitedly shared her pregnancy news, partnering with a popular brand to announce the arrival of her first child.
As the months went by, Instagram was flooded with happy photos: her cradling her bump, and sweet moments with her partner, Jordan Oldershaw.
As expected, her nearly 400,000 followers were treated to a steady stream of curated content, from scans to gender reveals—all leading to the moment when baby Eva was expected to make her grand debut.
However, what Emily didn’t share with her followers at the time was the real and heartbreaking situation unfolding behind those perfect pictures.
While her Instagram depicted preparations for the baby—shopping for prams and picking out nursery items—her premature baby girl, born ten weeks early, was fighting for her life in a hospital.
The Truth Behind the Photos: The Premature Birth of Baby Eva
In the midst of her glowing updates, Emily’s life was anything but glamorous.
While she posted about baby products and preparations, her tiny baby was in neonatal intensive care, fed by tubes and surrounded by life-saving machines.
Emily, battling her own grief and fear, was expressing breast milk in an attempt to nourish her daughter, all while trying to maintain the illusion of a picture-perfect pregnancy.
For Emily, the pressure of continuing to work while her baby fought for survival left her feeling like she was living a double life.
The Dilemma of Public Perception and Personal Struggles
As a social media influencer, Emily found herself at a crossroads: Should she tell her followers the truth, explaining the gravity of her situation? Should she ask them for prayers and good thoughts for her baby? The thought of publicly admitting the reality of the situation was overwhelming.
“I couldn’t face sharing that,” she admits.
Her carefully orchestrated Instagram updates seemed like a far cry from the terrifying reality of sitting by her premature daughter’s side in the NICU, unsure of what the next day would bring.
Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Premature Birth and NICU Life
What Emily didn’t anticipate was how quickly her life would change.
Her planned birth, her baby shower, even her C-section date—all were turned upside down when she unexpectedly went into labor prematurely.
Emily and her partner rushed to the hospital, where she was told she was in preterm labor.
The overwhelming reality of her daughter’s fragile state hit hard when the baby was born weighing just under 3lbs—far too small for her to be held for long.
Eva was rushed to the NICU, and Emily’s world became focused on keeping her tiny daughter alive.
The emotional toll of spending days and nights in the NICU, with machines monitoring every breath and heartbeat, was unimaginable.
But amidst the uncertainty, Emily found solace in the expert care of the nurses, who not only cared for Eva but for Emily as well.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of NICU Life
The days in the NICU were filled with uncertainty.
Eva faced numerous challenges—tests, scans, and scares.
Emily learned the harsh realities of premature birth, including medical terms like “bradycardia” and “apnea,” which left her constantly on edge.
But with the support of the hospital staff, Emily and Jordan began to navigate this new reality.
The journey was filled with highs and lows, but in the end, it was the love and care of the nurses that gave them hope.
A Christmas Miracle: Eva’s Journey Home
In what Emily now calls “the best Christmas ever,” her baby Eva was finally allowed to go home on Boxing Day after spending over a month in the NICU.
Reflecting on how much had happened in such a short time, Emily says, “Eva should really only have been coming into the world last week.”
Despite the chaos and terror of her early birth, Emily couldn’t be more grateful that her daughter survived and thrived against the odds.
A New Chapter: The Truth Behind the Perfect Instagram Feed
Now, with Eva healthy and happy at home, Emily has finally begun sharing her truth with her followers.
While she’s back to posting pictures of her family, there’s a new honesty in her posts.
She’s begun to reflect on the challenges of her journey, the realities of motherhood, and the importance of appreciating the NHS and the care her daughter received.
In a touching gesture, Emily and her family handed out the gift bags originally meant for her baby shower to the NICU staff who helped save Eva’s life.
Emily is determined to use her platform to share a more authentic version of motherhood, one that goes beyond the curated content of Instagram.
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