A young mum-of-two has shared how extreme morning sickness during pregnancy has left her chronically ill – forcing her to give up working and has seen her partner become her carer.

When Saoirse Lorraine from West Sussex first saw the stick turn blue, she was surprised but happy about carrying her first child, a son.

But what should have been a joyful time soon turned into a nightmare as the budding mum was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition that affects 1-3 pregnant in 100 women in the UK, according to the NHS.

Better known as extreme morning sickness, the symptoms would see the 25-year-old bed-bound and throwing up constantly for 22 weeks.

Despite the pain, the content creator hoped her second pregnancy with her daughter would be smoother – but sadly, the nausea and vomiting returned once more.

And the impact has now caused “permanent damage” to her body with the mum forced to give up her job while her partner, Will, 28, has become her carer.

“[At] The start of my first pregnancy I was unaware HG even existed,” Saoirse told Jam Press.

“For the first five months I stayed on my mum’s sofa vomiting into plastic bags.

“I didn’t know what was happening to me, I felt miserable.

“My mum rang the GP and they prescribed me medication, which didn’t help.

“My life has changed in ways I could never of imagined.

“Before my second HG pregnancy, I ran a jewellery business and a print business.

“I was very creative and also successful.

“I was able to endure days out and loved spontaneous trips.

“Now, I can’t do the things I loved anymore.”

During her first pregnancy, the young mum felt like she was “completely in the dark” about the condition, believing there was little else that could be done, and therefore didn’t seek further medical help.

After Saoirse gave birth to her son in 2018, both she and Will felt apprehensive about trying for a second baby but decided to be hopeful.

“My first birth with my son wasn't with Will but of course we were still apprehensive about trying for our daughter:"

Sadly, however, when the mum fell pregnant again in late 2021, fate delivered another blow.

By the middle of her first trimester, Saoirse was experiencing extreme round-the-clock sickness with her vomiting becoming “aggressive”.

She said: “Before me and my partner started trying to conceive a baby, people reassured me I’d be okay.

“I thought to myself, surely it can’t be as bad as last time.

“However when I first saw my midwife I let her know about my past with HG and she immediately referred me for consultant-led care but this involved little beyond checking my blood pressure and confirming my symptoms.

“I was just hoping I wouldn’t suffer again.

“My HG pregnancy with my daughter entailed a level of nausea I never thought possible, and I was left with permanent damage to my body.”

The mum battled daily with symptoms including hunger, tiredness, feeling easily irritated and her stomach “turning at things that usually wouldn’t disgust her as much”.

Saoirse’s family took care of her son for the entire duration of her second pregnancy.

She said: “I missed out on nine months of my son’s life because I was so ill [while pregnant with my daughter].

“It was also extremely hard seeing my son ask why mummy was still sick.”

And things only have only gotten worse after the births.

Since having her daughter 14 months ago, the “terrified” mum-of-two has been suffering after effects of the extreme sickness.

Saoirse claims one doctor said the lasting symptoms were likely “down to constipation” – so she forked out £165 for 30 minutes with a private GP, who referred her to a private a gastroenterologist.

Unfortunately, this proved fruitless as she got the same answer.

She said: “I was scared and wanted answers.

“She [the gastroenterologist] also put my sickness down to constipation and prescribed me a strong laxative that usually preps people for colonoscopies.

“My sickness continued and I demanded my NHS GP to do a referral.

“I was on the waiting list for eight months before seeing a specialist and was referred for a gastric emptying study, but I still suffer from my symptoms and there is no cure for gastroparesis, which is what they believe I have.”

At her wits' end, Saoirse says she “no longer wakes up refreshed and ready for the day” but “sick and wanting her medication”.

Saoirse said: “I can no longer manage days out, if I [do go out] I require a wheelchair.

“I’m registered as disabled and my partner is my carer.

“My weight has deteriorated too; with me having lost 21% of my body weight pre-pregnancy.

“In terms of food, I’m unable to eat the foods I used to love due to either being too scared that I’ll feel poorly or knowing from experience how poorly I’ll feel.

“To this day, 14 months postpartum, I still can’t keep up with my kids [due to lack of energy].”

The deterioration in the mum’s physical health has resulted in her experiencing agoraphobia and health anxiety.

She said: “My endoscopy revealed that I have a hiatus hernia in my oesophagus, caused by the severity of my vomiting.

“I also have ongoing anaemia and now suffer from orthostatic hypotension, possible gastroparesis, tremors and tics, dizziness and fainting and weakness and fatigue.”

There has been a few glimmers of hope in the darkness though – such as finding a community of people online to talk to, with Saoirse determined to share her story to help other mums.

She uses her TikTok (@saoirseswan ) to share her symptoms and connect with those experiencing the debilitating condition.

And despite the struggles, she is also overjoyed about being a mum to her two wonderful kids aged 14 months and five.

Saoirse added: “Helping educate people is so important because many people think HG is just bad morning sickness and showing the reality of it and being honest can help educate those who need it most.

“I will never stop spreading awareness on HG.”

“Despite suffering so much, I gave birth to two healthy babies.”

“My children are what keep me on this earth.

”They’re my best friends, my legacy, my everything.

“I love them so much, and will never let my storm get them wet.”

ENDS

EDITOR'S NOTES: The case study does not wish to name her children.