'Extreme pregnancy sickness put me in hospital'

Jasmine Ross says she experienced severe nausea each time she was pregnant

A woman who spent 10 weeks in hospital with severe pregnancy sickness has called for greater awareness of the condition.

Jasmine Ross, 28, said not enough is understood about hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which sees some women experience excessive nausea or vomiting during pregnancy.

Thousands of people signed a petition supporting her cause.

Ms Ross, from Boston, Lincolnshire, said the condition is "debilitating" and had a "profound effect" on her life.

Catherine, Princess of Wales experienced hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy

The NHS says sickness during pregnancy is common, and eight out of 10 expectant mothers experience it.

It is sometimes called morning sickness, despite not exclusively being experienced in the morning.

But a much smaller percentage (1%-3%) of women experience HG during pregnancy.

It is a condition Catherine, Princess of Wales spoke about during 2020.

The princess said at the time the illness meant she was "not the happiest of pregnant people".

Ms Ross said: "We are not talking about being sick once or twice, we're talking about every day relentless nausea and vomiting.

"I spent 10 weeks in hospital because I couldn't keep down any food or any water.

"I was hospitalised repeatedly throughout all of my pregnancies. I couldn't leave bed, I couldn't look after my children."

Ms Ross said she had to quit her job because of her symptoms.

"I was just physically unable to do anything. It's had a profound effect on my life, and I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result."

Ms Ross, who now works for a charity supporting those with pregnancy sickness, claimed some people's experiences of the condition are so bad they have abortions to stop the vomiting.

"There are many women across the UK who are terminating wanted pregnancies because of the effects of HG. HG is debilitating."

Nearly 12,000 people signed a petition calling on the government to provide funding to improve physical and mental healthcare for sufferers.

The petition also wants increased training, and better access to treatment for women with HG.

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