Latest news with #pregnancysickness
Sky News
18-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Starmer to address postcode lottery for only drug available for debilitating pregnancy sickness condition
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to address a postcode lottery for the only drug approved for a debilitating pregnancy sickness condition. The prime minister was asked in the Commons on Wednesday by Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary if he would work with the Department of Health to end the "scandal". Xonvea is the only drug approved in the UK to treat the extreme vomiting and nausea caused by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which affects thousands of woman, about 3% of pregnancies, each year. Some women have it for several weeks, some their entire pregnancy, and it can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and serious physical and emotional distress, with some so ill they are terminating wanted pregnancies. Sir Keir said he would make sure Mr MacCleary has a meeting with a minister "to see what more can be done to get this treatment to patients who need it". The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital with HG during all three of her pregnancies. An inquest last year found a failure to provide adequate care to HG sufferer Jessica Cronshaw, who was 28 weeks pregnant when she took her own life, "contributed to her mental health deterioration". The charity Pregnancy Sickness Support has found it is a postcode lottery to get Xonvea on the NHS, despite 84% of 800 sufferers surveyed by the charity reporting it to be effective. Different NHS trusts and GPs have different rules on prescribing the drug, which costs the NHS about £28 for a 10-day supply - but £90 if bought privately. Woman terminated pregnancy after Xonvea denied Sarah Spooner, 32, terminated a pregnancy at 13 weeks in April after being denied Xonvea, which was first licensed for use in the UK in 2018, by her GP. The 32-year-old optometrist, who had HG for 40 weeks with her first child, had to take a 50-mile round trip to a hospital to get a two-week supply. After the second hospital trip, the prescription did not have a date so the pharmacy would not give her the drugs and she was feeling so much more ill than her first pregnancy she did not feel she could go on. She twice booked a termination but could not go through with it before eventually deciding it was the only option. A month later, her pharmacy told her it had an old prescription from her GP for Xonvea - the same GP who had said she could not have it. "It just felt like my whole body was saying 'this isn't happening'," she told Sky News. "When I went for the second attempt at a termination I was so upset they said they couldn't do it, and I said 'I don't really want it, to be honest'. "I remember the woman saying to me 'worst case scenario you've only got another seven months of this' and I was thinking another seven months of this is going to kill me." Mrs Spooner ran out of Xonvea the day before her third termination booking in Cardiff and was vomiting "non-stop" from 1am. "Going in to pick up antidepressants - because of everything - from the pharmacy a month later and being handed the bag of Xonvea was just the most horrific moment of my whole life," she added. She said the GP surgery investigated the incident, apologised, and has been very helpful since then, with her doctor pushing to get the health board to allow them to prescribe Xonvea at an early stage. Mrs Spooner's GP said they could not comment due to patient confidentiality. A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: "We're very sorry to hear of Mrs Spooner's experience. We do not underestimate how distressing this must have been for her and her family. "After the family contacted us via our Putting Things Right process, we have been liaising with them and are in the process of conducting an investigation into their concerns. "Our thoughts and sincere condolences remain with Mrs Spooner and her family at this very difficult time." The Welsh government told Sky News: "We rely on the expert advice of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the guidance of the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). "The AWMSG published advice in 2019 which confirms that Xonvea is not recommended for use within NHS Wales, and NICE has published guidance on the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and concluded that the evidence supporting the use of Xonvea is very old, of low quality and does not show a convincing effect on symptom improvement." 1:23 'End this postcode lottery' Charlotte Howden, who leads Pregnancy Sickness Support, told Sky News: "We welcome the mention of Xonvea and the postcode lottery at PMQs - it's a vital step forward for the thousands of pregnant women and people suffering from nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. "We've long called for urgent action on this issue. It remains an ongoing battle." She added: "Xonvea is the only medication licensed in the UK for pregnancy sickness, yet access still depends entirely on where you live. Many local formularies continue to reject it based on cost, even though a week's supply is cheaper than a single GP appointment and vastly less than a hospital admission, which is all too common for those who become severely dehydrated. "This isn't just poor care, it's a false economy. If the government is serious about prevention, long-term thinking, and equity, it must act to end this postcode lottery. "A meeting with the responsible minister must now follow - and we are ready to share our evidence and experience to help drive meaningful change." 'Women deserve better' Mr MacCleary told Sky News: "My own partner suffered with HG, so I know just how brutal and traumatic this condition can be. I first saw its devastating impact through her experience. "Sadly, some women have even felt forced into terminations or have taken their own lives because they couldn't get the treatment they needed - and this is entirely preventable. "That's why I asked the prime minister to urgently tackle this postcode lottery and meet with me and campaigners who've have been tirelessly working on this for years. Women deserve better - something must change." Sarah Smith, MP for Accrington where Ms Cronshaw lived, said her death "brings into sharp focus the devastating impact HG can have". She added: "Her story is heartbreaking and it underlines the urgent need to ensure fair access to treatments like Xonvea, wherever women live. I welcome the prime minister's commitment to working with ministers on this issue and will support efforts to end the postcode lottery for women facing this condition." Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@ in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to cope with pregnancy sickness at work
When you're feeling sick, chances are you will take a few days off with the expectation that you'll be back to normal in a few days. But what do you do if the sickness lasts for months? That's the reality for many women with pregnancy sickness and nausea. As many as seven in 10 pregnancies are affected by nausea and vomiting, which can range from uncomfortable to debilitating. For some people, the sickness eases over time. For others, it can continue throughout the whole nine months. Between one and three women in 100 pregnancies experience severe sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum — which can lead to severe illness and hospitalisation. Understandably, sickness can have a significant impact on your ability to work. The churning nausea and frequent trips to the toilet can make it impossible to focus or get anything done. Although it's often referred to as "morning sickness", it can strike day or night, leaving you exhausted. Yet despite this, many women feel unable to take time off because they don't want to be seen as incompetent; a term dubbed "pregnancy presenteeism". 'Pregnancy-related sickness and nausea are often underestimated, yet they can have a significant impact on your ability to work and on your overall wellbeing,' says psychotherapist and Counselling Directory member Jenny Warwick. 'When you are feeling constantly unwell, your mental health can be significantly impacted, leading to increased stress, anxiety and low mood,' she says. Read more: How the maternity system is failing self-employed women 'You might feel guilty or frustrated about your perceived reduction in productivity, and worrying about meeting work expectations can further harm your self-esteem and contribute to emotional strain. Additionally, the relentless nature of the symptoms can feel isolating, particularly if others are unaware or downplaying their impact.' Speaking to your boss is essential if you're struggling in pregnancy, but it isn't always easy. Many women feel pressured to avoid being stereotyped as "pregnant and weak", so they struggle in silence. And the cultural expectation to keep a pregnancy secret for the first three months — when sickness often peaks — can be incredibly isolating. So what can you do to make the conversation easier? 'Many people feel unsure about speaking to their manager before the end of the first trimester, but support during this time can make a real difference,' says Warwick. 'Plan to have the conversation when you feel ready and if possible when your manager is likely to be available to listen.' You don't need to go into personal medical details, but be clear and honest about your symptoms and how they're affecting your work. Focus on the support you need to do your job well. It can help to frame it as a collaborative conversation to navigate the best way to manage your work, while dealing with the sickness. It can be hard to remember what you want to say when you're nervous or feeling unwell, so Warwick recommends noting down the key points you want to make. 'Jot them down and practice what you want to say with a trusted friend or partner. It's perfectly acceptable to request confidentiality if you're not ready to share your news with the world.' Simple, supportive adjustments can make a huge difference at work. Flexibility is key, whether it's regarding working hours, meetings, travel or location. If being in a hot, stuffy meeting room is making you feel worse, ask if you can dial in from home or get the main points afterwards. Likewise, being in a busy office with noise and food smells can exacerbate nausea, so it may help to work from home. On a bad day, access to a quiet space like an empty meeting room can help. Sometimes, being asked if you're OK by well-intentioned colleagues can make a bad situation worse — when all you want is privacy. Frequent breaks are also essential, whether it's to get some fresh air or grab a snack to settle your stomach. 'In some cases, a short-term or phased return to work after pregnancy-related sick leave can offer essential support during the adjustment period,' adds Warwick. It's also essential to remember your legal rights. If you're employed and experiencing pregnancy sickness, you're legally protected under the Equality Act 2010. Read more: How to apply for jobs when you're pregnant 'Any absence that relates to pregnancy must be treated differently from standard sickness absence — and it cannot be used against you in performance reviews, disciplinary processes, or redundancy decisions,' says Hannah Strawbridge, the CEO and founder of employment and HR specialists Han Law. 'We regularly advise women whose employers have misunderstood or ignored this.' Strawbridge recalls that one of her clients, a secondary school teacher in her first trimester, was suffering with severe sickness and needed time off. When the school began formal absence proceedings within a few weeks, her legal team intervened and reminded them of their legal obligations. 'Pregnancy-related sickness must not be penalised and treating it as routine absence is unlawful,' explains Strawbridge. Employers are also under a duty to consider reasonable adjustments if your symptoms are affecting your ability to work. That might include changes to hours, working from home, or temporarily amending duties. Failing to consider these adjustments can amount to discrimination. However, the picture is very different for self-employed workers. The legal protections for employees are clear and enforceable but for self-employed women, this remains a significant gap in the system, with little practical support available during early pregnancy. Read more: 'Dad strike' as UK's paternity leave worst in Europe 'You don't have the same statutory protections — no sick pay, no entitlement to time off, and no legal duty on anyone to support you during periods of illness,' says Strawbridge. 'We work with many self-employed women at Han Law, including consultants, creatives, and sole traders, and this is a common issue. One of our clients, a freelance designer, was dealing with constant nausea but continued working full-time, as taking time off simply wasn't financially viable. Maternity Allowance may be available further into pregnancy, but it offers no support during those early, difficult weeks.' Often, pregnancy sickness is trivialised as just a natural part of pregnancy that has to be dealt with. But dismissing it in this way can leave those experiencing it feeling unsupported and overwhelmed, especially in the workplace. Employers and colleagues play a crucial role in creating an environment where pregnant employees feel comfortable seeking accommodations, whether that's flexible scheduling, access to rest areas or understanding when productivity fluctuates. By acknowledging the real impact of pregnancy sickness and responding with empathy and practical support, it fosters healthier, more inclusive workplaces for everyone. Read more: Why neurodivergent workers pay the price for poor communication Why the pressure to be liked at work is holding women back Five soft skills that can help you get hired or promoted at workError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hyperemesis gravidarum photo exhibition opens at Science Gallery
"People are suffering, we're losing babies, we're losing mums: this is serious and we need to be taken seriously."Photographer Clare Hughes, who suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) during her pregnancy in 2017, is speaking at the launch of her Hidden Mothers exhibition featuring portraits by expectant one and three in 100 pregnancies are thought to be affected by HG, which can cause extreme pregnancy sickness, threaten the life of the foetus and require intravenous fluids in hospital to prevent dehydration. "I wanted use my creativity, my photography, to make sense of what had happened to me during pregnancy," Ms Hughes says. "I couldn't really find any information," she said of the condition, which can lead to some mothers being sick up to 50 times a day throughout their pregnancies."The project has been a really cathartic experience - I've met so many other women who have gone through the same thing and understand exactly where I'm coming from so it has helped me immensely."Victorian imagery provided the inspiration for the Science Gallery exhibition, which she said had hundreds of women wanting to take part."It's called hidden mother photography, which is a Victorian approach to photography to get an in-focus picture of an infant. "A mother was disguised as a piece of furniture to hold the baby in place while they could get an in-focus sharp image of the infant but what you're left with is quite a ghoulish, spooky imagery." She added: "The visual metaphor of the hidden mother very much basically became a representation of what I felt as a sufferer of HG and what I know a lot of other women went through."We were basically hidden away in a darkened room, hidden away from the medical professions and that our symptoms were hidden."To see it all displayed, all the women's stories being heard and seeing us being brought out of the darkness and actually being seen, it's really moving and so touching and a privilege."
