Helen Flanagan has opened up about her battle with her pregnancy disorder after a recent sickness bug brought back memories of it.
The Coronation Street star suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) while pregnant with her three children.
The Bury-born actress shared her story over on her Instagram story after suffering a “horrible sickness bug all weekend”.
She explained: “I had HG in all three pregnancies and when I have a sickness bug it does bring it all back.”
Helen added: “HG is not morning sickness and it’s not something you can just get along with.
“Also, telling someone with HG to eat a ginger biscuit really does not help.”
In the next Instagram story, she posted a picture of herself looking very unwell while in bed.
She said: “This was around this time last year. I get a lot of direct messages from other women on HG. It’s a comfort to know you’re not just on your own.
“For me it lasted around three months. I can’t imagine what it’s like to last the whole pregnancy.
“The worst was 100 per cent not being able to look after the girls.”
She added: “I remember I felt really emotional at my three month scan and cried as it felt like I had such a mountain to climb and that was nearing the end.
“I remember the nurse said to me it would calm down once the placenta was made.
“I was lucky that with each baby it calmed down at three months… but the HG got stronger though in each pregnancy.”
The Rosie Webster actress also shared some treatments that worked for her while she was suffering.
“Medication works with Deliliah. Nothing worked with Charlie,"she explained.
What worked for her was:
- Lots of rest
- Lots of help with children ( she moved in with her mum for three months as Scott had football)
- Even though you can’t face it, making yourself eat little and often
- Sipping lemonade worked for me
- Medication worked with Delilah
Ms Flanagan ended her story with a positive note to any mothers going through the terrible pregnancy disorder.
She said: “Your babies are always so worth it and more… just thought I’d share as I do have a lot of women messaging me about it and you do feel very on your own when you go through it.”
What is hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)?
According to the NHS website, hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
It can often require hospital treatment.
Exactly how many pregnant women get HG is not known as some cases may go unreported, but it's thought to be around 1 to 3 in every 100.
It’s not know what causes HG- but some experts believe it is linked to the changing hormones in your body that occur during pregnancy.
Signs and symptoms of HG include:
- prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting
- being dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include, feeling thirsty, tired, dizzy or lightheaded, not peeing very much, and having dark yellow and strong-smelling pee
- weight loss
- low blood pressure (hypotension) when standing
- extremely heightened sense of smell
- excessive saliva production
- headaches and constipation from dehydration
Unlike regular pregnancy sickness, HG may not get better by 16 to 20 weeks. It may not clear up completely until the baby is born, although some symptoms may improve at around 20 weeks.
See your GP or midwife if you have severe nausea and vomiting. Getting help early can help you avoid dehydration and weight loss.
Anti-sickness drugs can be used to treat the condition.
Find out more about HG and how to treat it over on the NHS website.
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