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The Hyperemesis Files

The Hyperemesis Files

Written by: Charlotte Howden
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About this listen

A podcast all about the severe pregnancy condition Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Each week women who are currently suffering with, or who have survived Hyperemesis will tell their stories to HG Campaigner, Presenter and CEO of Pregnancy Sickness Support Charity, Charlotte Howden. Some weeks we will also feature experts from the HG research community and charity sector.

© 2024 The Hyperemesis Files Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • The final ever episode of the Hyperemesis Files Podcast

    The final ever episode of the Hyperemesis Files Podcast
    Mar 24 2021

    This is the last episode of Series 3 and the last ever episode of the Hyperemesis Files Podcast (although I never say never). On today's show I am joined by Rowan. Rowan is 25 and lives in Lancashire with her husband Alex and her 18 month old daughter Olia Daisy.

    Rowan is an exceptional guest speaker and details her journey with such elegance and openness.

    Together we discuss her initial thoughts about her sickness, from "I am just too weak to do this," to "This is just normal though?" all the way through to finally being administered steroids the final medication on the HG ladder to stop her unbearable suffering.

    What is really very important about our conversation is the aftermath of HG as Rowan is still now experiencing un-diagnosed symptoms such as sickness, nausea and not being able to eat. Her story is here to inform not to scare as she acknowledges that she is "one in a million". But her journey has not ended after birth and she is now under the care of 5 professionals who are all trying to understand why these symptoms never went away.

    On a personal and emotional note I want to thank everyone for listening over the last 3 series and for supporting the podcast.

    The time has come for me to move on to other ways of raising awareness that enable to me to do more in less time and whilst I have enjoyed every second of bringing these episodes to you, they do take up a large amount of my time.

    Thanks for listening. Charlotte x
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Series 3 - Episode 7

    Series 3 - Episode 7
    Mar 17 2021
    On this week's show I am joined by Jess who lives in Canberra in Australia. Jess has suffered from two Hyperemesis pregnancies with her sons. She left 5 years between the two as it took her that long to mentally prepare for another pregnancy.

    Her story is a great listen if you are thinking about having a second and want tips and advice on how to prepare.

    What isn't so great is how much she suffered with her first with ineffective and upsetting routes to treatment, being fed at one point by a tube and finding out that her first son would be born with a club foot.

    Because of this we touch on medications in pregnancy and what is amazing to hear is that Jess has been able to come to terms with her son's diagnosis without blaming herself. As she says in her own words "The Doctors will not give you something that is not safe!"

    So many of us worry about taking medication and yet when our children are born they are fit and healthy. Jess is really open about how she can't blame herself for anything because the reality is that we will never know if any problems were due to medication, complete lack of nutrients and fluids in the first trimester or just simple genetic or something that just happens.

    The benefits outweigh the risks.

    Jess was a joy to talk to and I hope you enjoy her story!
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    51 mins
  • Series 3 - Episode 6

    Series 3 - Episode 6
    Mar 9 2021

    On this week's podcast I am joined by Danika. Danika is a mother of one from Somerset in the UK. Danika's story is really telling of just how bad the treatment of HG women in certain areas/hospitals/post codes in the UK can be!

    Her treatment ranged from being told they were going to check her for alcohol and drugs to make sure that is why she wasn't being sick to being left in A&E for hours to being admitted to the Frailty ward!

    In this episode we talk about termination, access to medication once available being suddenly taken away and thoughts of wanting to die.

    Danika also very bravely discusses her recent miscarriage and how despite this and everything she has been through with Hyperemesis in her first pregnancy, she is still positive for another child in the future.
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    48 mins
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