Newport, Wales — A 26-year-old woman is considering sterilization after a harrowing experience with severe morning sickness during two pregnancies, compounded by difficulties accessing effective treatment. Chloe, who nearly terminated her second pregnancy due to debilitating hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), says she simply can’t face another pregnancy.
Her story is sparking debate about access to medication and the agonizing choices women face when extreme pregnancy sickness takes over their lives.
- Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects 1-3 in 100 pregnancies, causing severe nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss.
- Xonvea, an anti-sickness medication, isn’t routinely available in Wales, despite being recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
- Chloe’s experience highlights the emotional and physical toll HG can take, leading her to consider sterilization.
- Healthcare professionals in Wales *can* prescribe Xonvea in certain cases, but access remains a challenge for many.
What exactly *is* hyperemesis gravidarum? It’s far more than typical morning sickness. HG causes prolonged, severe nausea and vomiting, often leading to dehydration and significant weight loss. It can require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and nutritional support.
Chloe, from Newport, first encountered the brutal reality of HG during her first pregnancy. “I literally spent the whole of my first trimester in bed on ice cubes, because I couldn’t eat or drink,” she recalled. She required hospitalization for dehydration, completely unaware of the condition that was consuming her.
“I struggled to shower, my partner would sometimes have to bathe me; I physically could not care for myself,” Chloe explained. After her son was born in 2023, the sickness finally subsided. However, an unplanned pregnancy soon followed, triggering a devastating relapse.
ChloeThe severity of her condition took a toll on her mental health, preventing her from taking antidepressants. “It got to the point that I had an abortion booked for her because I was unable to care for myself and my son, and I literally said to my partner ‘I’m worried about my own safety’,” she confessed.
A separate health scare—an ectopic pregnancy—led her to a gynecologist who prescribed Xonvea. The medication, recommended as a first-line treatment by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, provided much-needed relief. “At the start, it just meant that I was able to take my antidepressants, which then helped level my mood. I was able to eat a little piece of toast. And then as time went on and my hormones started to settle, I was then able to eat a proper meal,” Chloe said.
Now, she’s pursuing sterilization, feeling unable to risk another pregnancy. “I’ve learned to cherish Daisy more because of the difficult journey we’ve been through,” she added.
Access to Treatment Remains a Hurdle
While Xonvea is effective, it isn’t routinely available in Wales. One box of 20 tablets costs £28.50, which is more expensive than alternative anti-sickness medications like cyclizine, prochlorperazine, and ondansetron. According to data from October, 223 prescriptions for Xonvea were issued by 103 GP practices.
ChloeLindsay Whittle, a Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd, is advocating for improved access to Xonvea. He noted that constituents have shared “heart-wrenching” stories of living with HG. “It’s less than the price of a meal out in an average restaurant, and that’s not silly money, is it?” he argued. “And if that’s all it costs, then quite frankly, let’s just get on with the job that we’re supposed to be doing here in Wales.”
The Welsh government acknowledged that GPs regularly prescribe Xonvea, but decisions about routine availability are based on guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) or the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). AWMSG previously did not recommend routine use due to insufficient cost-effectiveness data, but stated it is “proactively engaging with the manufacturer” to explore options.
Dr. Georgina Forbes, a specialist in sexual and reproductive health, emphasized the devastating impact of HG. “My experience is that women were coming for abortions and had not actually been able to access that drug freely or were struggling to get it, and by the time they come to me, they are entirely at their wits’ end. They are broken,” she said. She urged the Welsh government to reconsider its position on Xonvea, dismissing cost concerns.
This case underscores the urgent need for accessible and effective treatment options for HG, ensuring that women aren’t forced to make impossible choices about their health and their futures.
