15/05/2026
INTERNATIONAL HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM AWARENESS DAY
Trigger warning- pregnancy.
Pregnancy for me was a brutal experience. Of course, I was overjoyed to be expecting a baby- my biggest dream in life was to be a mother.
But at 5.5 weeks- the nausea hit.
And it never left.
Not just nausea, but I would be vomiting all day. Even the pressure of wearing a bra against my sternum would have me racing to the toilet.
Sleep was my only relief.
I’d wake up the next morning, wondering if this would be the day I’d feel good. And then 5 minutes later I would be heaving and retching in the toilet, until my empty stomach produced bright yellow bile, its only offering.
This would continue all day. Empty stomach, full stomach, snacks- nothing helped.
‘Have you tried ginger?’ helpful people would ask.
Yes I’d tried fu***ng ginger.
Tea, biscuits, supplements, seasickness bands, home remedies.. I’d given it all a go.
I was lonely, isolated, lost, depressed. Trapped in a hell of my own making, and the only thing keeping me going was the thought of that little baby being in my arms.
At Christmas I was hospitalised, unable to even keep water in my body. Put on an IV.
Medical staff asking me- are you sure it isn’t twins? Nope. Just one.
Labour Day arrived- well- three days, as it took Mr B 70 hours to finally appear- yanked out by a vacuum. And on day 2 of labour- I was vomiting again- I’d forgotten to take my anti nausea tablets- the only thing that had mildly ‘helped’ over the previous 8 months.
The side effects of the Zophran were awful. Extreme constipation, which led to more problems.
But oh when Bailey was placed in my arms- it was worth every spew.
And making the decision to give him a sibling- it was tough. I cried with fear when the test was positive again, knowing the road that I was facing.
The second time was just as tough. And exhausting managing the vomiting and nausea with a toddler and a job. I’d crawl into bed every night, grateful for the relief of unconsciousness.
More meds. More weightloss. More depression. More time off work. I never felt more lonely than when I was pregnant.
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