What Duchess Kate is doing to battle her severe morning sickness
While the world is abuzz with the news of a third royal baby on the way, the Duchess of Cambridge is battling severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) for the third time – and she's doing everything in her power to beat it.
It was revealed she was suffering the condition yet again (having been hospitalised while pregnant with Prince George and Princess Charlotte) and had been struck down so severely that she was forced to cancel an official engagement.
So, what is it exactly and how bad is it?
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe complication that occurs in just one per cent of pregnancies. It causes extreme nausea, lightheadedness and dizziness when standing and can cause constant vomiting, which may lead to severe dehydration. When this occurs, the sufferer may need to be hospitalised and placed on an IV with fluids and anti-nausea medication. It often eases over the course of the pregnancy, but may last until the birth.
Unfortunately, after you’ve had it once, you’re highly likely to experience it again. “There is no evidence that it worsens with subsequent pregnancies, but being pregnant is often harder when you have other children to look after,” Dr Michael Gannon of the AMA tells 9Honey.
As for treatment? Sadly, there’s not much Kate can do. A bland diet and lots of fluid may help, but Prince William admitted recently that they’ve tried everything.
He spoke to 98-year-old Iris Orrell, who experienced the condition when she was pregnant, too, and recommended "dry biscuits". Unfortunately, William said they've been there, done that. “Ginger biscuits – but there’s not much ginger can do to stop that – we’ve done all that.”
In the past, she tried the traditional remedy of lavender shortbread biscuits on the recommendation of the Duchess of Cornwall, to no avail.
Did you experience this condition when you were pregnant? Tell us in the comments below, what remedies did you try?