The Hyperemesis Files

This week on the Hyperemesis Files Podcast I chat to Camilla, a mum of one from London. Camilla saw more GPs, Consultants and Obstetricians than she could remember, desperately searching for an answer to her pain and suffering.

What is interesting about Camilla's story is that she sought help from Private Health Care professionals and hospitals but sadly the outcome was always the same "this was just morning sickness." 

In our chat we cover many different subjects and scenario, like the difference between NHS and Private care, the result being not much due to the simple reason that HG is just not part of the curriculum for Doctors and Nurses and Midwives.

We also talked about the "I am just not enough" effect and how we perceive our suffering as something what we could "just do better at", but of course with Hyperemesis you can't out "try" the condition.

We also focus on her inability to get access to fluids, being told to "bumble along" like other women do and talk very openly about the difference between other health professionals (mostly Oncology and Cancer patients) and how the treatment and compassion they receive is gold standard and perhaps the Gynecological world might learn a thing or two from them.

As always we discuss medications, treatments, mental health and life after HG.

This week I talk to Kimberly, mom to a daughter who live in Dallas, Texas. Kimberly suffered with one of the worst Hyperemesis cases her doctors had ever seen. So much so, she has decided to not have anymore children, something her husband supports as he cannot see her suffer again.

Kimberly lost a huge amount of weight over 25lbs and was in the terrible position of not wanting to be admitted into hospital, but if she lost just 1lb more she would have been.

Torn between trying to keep out of hospital which would have damaged her mental health more than it already was, and having to eat she was in a difficult place but it gave her the motivation to try and find her safe foods and stay at home.

We talk about her treatment, how she was initially ignored, pre-term labour, GERD and other traumatic experiences during her pregnancy.

As always topics in this episode maybe triggering.

This week on the Hyperemesis Files podcast you are in for a treat. This weeks guest is Kay, a mum of 2 boys who made a change in her career from an Oncology Nurse to a Sister on an Early Pregnancy Unit after suffering with Hyperemesis in both her pregnancies. She now manages a day unit for Hyperemesis sufferers within that unit and is constantly looking at new ways to grow the unit and help more women.

Kay talks us through both her pregnancies and we discuss everything from what it is like to have HG when you are a health professional, the struggles she had to get access to medication, being prescribed medication for depression when pregnant, the amazing support she had from her husband and so much more.

She also gives some invaluable advice on what to do when you have been prescribed medication and how to access EPU's and Day Clinics across the country.

This week I speak with Alethiea, a mother of two from the UK. Alethiea suffered with 3 Hyperemesis pregnancies and has two children.

In this episode we talk about her history with Hyperemesis (her mother wasn't diagnosed with HG, but we do this for her!) and the reason why she is an only child.

We walk through each of her HG pregnancies and talk about her 2nd pregnancy which sadly ended when she suffered a miscarriage, and how cruel the experience was with the Hyperemesis not disappearing instantly and her having to continue on suffering from the symptoms whilst losing her baby. 

We also talk about the low bar that seems to be rife within the health profession when it comes to kindness and sympathy, and of course how she was dismissed as just having morning sickness and even when her own research lead her to believe that she might have HG, her Doctor scoffing at her.

Other themes include, partners and HG, looking after children, trauma, medications, battling midwives for elective c-sections and the emotional trauma of HG. 

As series 2 continues, I want to explore deeper in to women's stories with hyperemesis. As a community we have to create a safe space for everyone to share. This week Victoria talks to me about her two hyperemesis pregnancies and how the result of not being informed about taking medication in pregnancy, she refused both times and continued her pregnancies without any.

Victoria talks about alternatives to medication to help manage her hyperemesis as she didn't feel able to take what was being offered to her by her doctors. 

As this is a safe space I want everyone to be able to talk about medication and alternatives, but I must stress that there is no cure for Hyperemesis and that the majority of the alternatives that week speak about do not work for hyperemesis sufferers, as Victoria herself found out in her second pregnancy.

However, it was interesting for me to learn about how she used to meditate herself to sleep and practiced breathing exercises to quieten her mind and to help her take one day at a time.

Victoria is also a pilates and body control teacher and talks to me about how important the pelvic floor is during pregnancy and labour and how hyperemesis can't negatively affect it.  Pelvic floor exercises are just another thing that goes out of the window with HG!

On Episode 2 - Series 2 of the Hyperemesis Files podcast I am joined by Stefanie, a mum of one from London. Stefanie and I walk through her journey with Hyperemesis which began almost immediately. At 5 weeks pregnant she was already admitted to hospital and her journey continued with numerous hospital admissions, the longest being 8 days.

We also talk about her mental health referral at 12 weeks pregnant, and how she had to join a University trial to get the mental health care she needed.

Stefanie went through many different combinations or medication to find the best treatment for her, but ultimately at 35 weeks nothing else would work and she started to have side effects. This mean't that the last month of her pregnancy her sickness returned.

She also suffered a traumatic birth AND went through all of this during COVID.

Stefanie talks to us about the continued mental health care she is receiving and how it has worked for her. 

The Hyperemesis Files podcast is back for series 2. This week I am joined by Jyoti who is a mum of one from London and the co-host of her own podcast the Native Immigrants.

Jyoti and I talk through her HG journey both physical and mental, with more emphasis in this episode on the mental health journey for an HG sufferer.

Jyoti and I also speak very openly about our decision to not have any more children and the grief we have experienced from making that decision, but also how our decision will enable us to move forward and enjoy the child that we have.

Other topics include medication, sterilisation, termination, cultural emphasis on having more children and the legacy of HG on our lives. 

This is a bonus episode of the Hyperemesis Files Podcast. I was lucky enough to interview for social media the wonderful Michelle Nicholson MBACP (Snr Accred) BACP Registered and Senior Accredited Counsellor. Michelle us the only HG Counsellor in the UK and offers specialist counselling support by telephone to anyone living with or recovering from pregnancy sickness. This episode is the audio file from the social media video interview I recorded with her. Michelle has suffered with Hyperemesis twice, hence her need to do something and to help women through the mental health challenges of this disease. Michelle and I talk openly about intrusive thoughts, why we do get so depressed and can go on to suffer with anxiety and post partum depression. She also speaks openly about the ways in which she addresses these struggles and give a run down on the current treatments available to HG sufferers and survivors. 

The final episode in Series 1 of the Hyperemesis Files Podcast (although there is a cheeky bonus one next week) A podcast presented by Hyperemesis Campaigner Charlotte Howden. Each episode Charlotte talks to HG survivors about their personal story with Hyperemesis. In this episode, Charlotte talks to Ashleigh, a mum of 2 from the US. Ashleigh has had a really tough time of it. Not only did she suffer with infertility problems, a cancer scare and a diagnosis of a rare for of endometriosis, she of course also suffered with Hyperemesis, twice! Ashleigh talks to me about her early struggles to get pregnant and how that went on to effect her experience with HG. We also talk about struggling to cope with a toddler, having the right support system in place, awful treatment from healthcare professionals, and some good! She also talks about her treatment and medications and what finally worked for her and a very scary moment with Valium. 

 This is the eighth episode of the Hyperemesis Files. A podcast presented by Hyperemesis Campaigner Charlotte Howden. Each episode Charlotte talks to HG survivors about their personal story with Hyperemesis. In this episode, Charlotte talks to Danielle, a mum of 2 from the UK. Danielle works as an employment solicitor and is part of the legal team for the Pregnant Then Screwed Charity. She has set up legal clinics along the North West to help women who find themselves discriminated against purely because they are employed and pregnant! Danielle has taken on cases for women who have suffered with Hyperemesis, and speaks openly about one. Danielle provides invaluable advice in this episode about our rights when pregnant and crucially for Hyperemesis sufferers, our rights when pregnant and suffering with a pregnancy related illness. Topics include redundancy, maternal leave and pay, sick pay, when to tell your employer you are pregnant and what to do if you think you have been discriminated against.