Welcome to Pregnancy Sickness Support

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is very common. On average it affects 70-80% of pregnant women to a greater or lesser extent. Over 30% of women in paid employment need time off work due to NVP and 1 in 100-150 women will be admitted to hospital due to the severity of their condition. This extreme end of the nausea and vomiting spectrum is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which is a severe and potentially life threatening condition which can have a profound affect on the sufferers health and well being.

Historically, pregnancy sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum was mistakenly thought to be a psychosomatic illness and women were treated as though they had a psychotic disorder. This view has been comprehensively disproven by numerous research studies in recent decades, and it is now known to be an illness of organic origin, although its causes have yet to be fully understood.  There is a persistent common belief that no drugs should be given to women in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is not true and leads to a significant amount of suffering by women with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. There are well researched and documented treatments which can safely be administered in early pregnancy. Unfortunately, the erroneous views that HG is a psychosomatic conditions and that no drugs are safe in the first trimester still persists in many places, shockingly, even amongst GPs and midwives. Sadly, many women still come across unsympathetic health professionals who are ignorant of current treatment methods.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum are particularly isolating conditions and women are very often left feeling misunderstood and alone for months on end when housebound. We run a national Support Network for women suffering any degree of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy to access support and comfort at times of isolation and distress. The network is made up of volunteers who know first hand the trials of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. We also provide information on treatments to discuss with your doctor and advice for coping strategies at home. Our volunteers also run an online forum where you can access support from a number of women at almost any time of the day or night.

Pregnancy Sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum can be challenging for the partners and loved ones of sufferers too. PSS has developed leaflets and information for carers and partners and carers can register with our forum to access an area specifically for them.