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Pregnancy

23rd Aug 2021

“Oh like Kate Middleton?” …and other things you shouldn’t say to people with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Melissa Carton

Duchess of Cambridge

Just don’t, thanks.

During my first pregnancy I had horrific morning sickness and could not keep anything down.

At the time I had never heard of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and didn’t realise that what I was suffering with was more than just regular morning sickness.

I actually ended up losing weight during my pregnancy rather than gaining weight and was constantly in and out of hospital.

Even with all of that going on a lot of people I knew were still dismissive of my symptoms and acted as if I was jusy carrying on and sure ‘all pregnant women get morning sickness’.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is more than just morning sickness, so here are some things to avoid saying to mums suffering with it.

“Oh, just like Kate Middleton!”

While it is a fact that Kate Middleton suffered with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, so do thousands of other women, including the person you’re talking too.

It might seem like nothing but trust me when you’re weak from not eating and looking like a zombie, the last thing you want to be compared to is a princess who has a team of people to cater to her every need and do her hair and makeup.

Not saying Kate didn’t go through it, but other mums don’t have access to the healthcare and childcare that she does.

Famous mums on becoming a mum

“At least you won’t have baby weight”

As I mentioned above I lost a lot of weight during my pregnancy, and people making out it was a good thing was infuriating.

Before the invention of drips women used to die from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, it is a serious illness not a diet plan.

“Have you tried ginger tea?”

Get in the bin.

I get suggestions like this for my migraines too.

Yes I’ve tried it.

No, it does not work.