Wife of Kittle shares painful message

The wife of 49ers tight end George Kittle shared some heartbreaking news on social media Tuesday.

Claire Kittle said on Instagram a routine ultrasound on Jan. 10 revealed an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches itself outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be carried to term and poses serious health risks to the mother.

“I felt my soul leave my body as I knew exactly what that meant,” she wrote.

Her 71/2-week pregnancy was terminated by surgery that night, two days after the 49ers completed the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals, a game attended by family including George Kittle's 100-year-old grandmother.

According to Claire Kittle, she took a pregnancy test on Christmas Day “while the rest of our family waited to open presents downstairs.”

Claire Kittle thanked the hospital staff for diagnosing a pregnancy that is “extremely dangerous to the mother if not found early. I'm so thankful for the nurses and doctors who found this soon enough and to the Niners for allowing George to sprint out of the building at any given moment.

“George was my strength when I had none. We leaned on each other like we never have before.”

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, ectopic pregnancies account for 1-2% of all conceptions.

Claire Kittle said she had never heard of an ectopic pregnancy and was going public with “something personal hard and emotional” to help others.

“So here's my direct line to you, I've had one, you're not alone,” she wrote. “It sucks, it's hard, be strong. There's strength in stories and I hope you can find comfort in ours.”

Kittle's Instagram post, which husband George also shared on his Instagram timeline, included a photo of her positive pregnancy test and the couple opening baby clothes on Christmas morning with family members.