Kirstie Allsopp on how to deal with hyperemesis gravidarum
TV presenter offers the Duchess of Cambridge advice for extreme morning sickness
TV presenter and property expert Kirstie Allsopp has revealed how she battled with hyperemesis gravidarum when she was pregnant, and offered some advice to the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge.
The 41-year-old, who has two children with her boyfriend Ben Anderson, spoke about the severity of the condition, in an interview with The Daily Mail.
“It’s a very much misunderstood condition because a lot of people say, ‘Ugh, you’re making a big fuss about morning sickness,” said Kirstie.
“It isn’t morning sickness – it’s constant, 24-hour acute nausea,” she explained.
“I couldn’t feel more sorry for the Duchess, because she wouldn’t have wanted to release this information so soon,” she added.
“I was forced to announce my pregnancy much earlier than I would have wanted when news got out that I was so ill.”
Kirstie highlighted that the debilitating side effects should not be underestimated.
Kirstie offered advice and tips on how to feel better when suffering from the condition.
Eat simple foods: “It’s best to stick to food that’s easy to digest,” said Kirstie.
Try reflexology: “I loved reflexology. It meant I could lie still – absolutely essential when you feel nauseaous – with a bucket in case I felt the need to throw up. Having my feet massaged was soothing and made me feel almost human.”
Turn to your friends: “Being marooned in bed, however luxurious and comfortable it feels at first, is going to be a massive shock. You may end up feeling lonely and isolated. My friends were my lifeline.”
Let your husband take care of you: “”I know some men feel responsible when their wifes have difficult pregnancies. He will probably feel helpless, so let him do all he can for you.”
Kirstie also took to Twitter to comment on the condition, “It is very difficult to comprehend the misery of constant, debilitating sickness which leaves u frightened for your baby#notmorningsickness”
“So hard for DofC, but her suffering from Hyperemisis is best thing that cld happen to sufferers of this miserable, misunderstood condition.”
The TV presenter revealed what she relied on to feel better, “For me, coconut juice & tiny little amounts of M&S mash. Couldn't go near cooker, homemade not an option!#hyperemesis.”
St James’s Palace is reported to have confirmed that the Duchess of Cambridge is “continuing to feel better”, according to The BBC.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s experience of hyperemisis gravidarium has brought the condition to the fore, and it’s been revealed that Playboy star Holly Madison, who’s seven months pregnant with her first child, has also been hospitalized with the condition.
“Almost 7 months and morning sickness took hold! Glad to be otherwise ok, tho," Holly tweeted, along with a picture of her IVF drip.
Did you suffer from the condition? What were your experiences?
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