Our Peer Support connects you with a trained volunteer who has experienced Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) themselves. They offer understanding, empathy, and a listening ear – someone who truly gets it.

Many people find peer support improves their wellbeing, helps them open up about what they’re going through, and feel less alone. It can also boost your confidence when advocating for yourself and introduce you to tips and coping strategies others have found helpful.

Talking to someone with lived experience can feel easier than speaking with family or friends, especially when you’re worried about being misunderstood.

That said, peer support isn’t right for everyone. Sometimes other people’s experiences might feel overwhelming or unhelpful, and that’s okay. You’re welcome to try it again in the future if and when it feels right for you.

You can agree with your peer supporter how often you’d like to chat – whether that’s daily check-ins or just a message once a week. It’s completely up to you.

1-2-1 peer support – support with 1 volunteer. You will have ongoing emotional support via text, email, or WhatsApp. If screen time is a trigger for you, we can organise support via phone calls.

Group support – a group chat can sometimes be more beneficial if you have more complex needs, or you may be matched with a mentored volunteer who is training.

We have volunteer peer supporters from a variety of backgrounds (different ethnicities, religions, sexualities, gender identities, abilities, classes, regions, nationalities, job roles etc.) and with a range of personal experiences (such as fertility treatment, miscarriage, termination, breastfeeding through HG, service families etc.). If you wish to be matched with someone with a similar experience or background to you then do tell us and we will always aim to match you with the most appropriate person.

All volunteers go through a robust application process, which includes a telephone interview and professional references as well as online training and are supported closely by the team at PSS-HQ.

• A confidential and safe service.
• Regular contact reducing isolation and fear of this debilitating condition. The level of support will be determined by you in conjunction with your volunteer peer supporter/s.
• Support can be provided via telephone, text, WhatsApp, or email. On occasions, people have also met their volunteer peer supporter face to face if they are local to them.
• If you are unable to build a rapport with your volunteer peer supporter/s, please let us know and we will do our utmost to offer you another volunteer peer supporter.

While we offer this service to as many people as possible there may be occasions where applicants are not eligible for this service. This could be for a variety of reasons; for example, your needs are beyond our remit and knowledge base, however we will always refer you to more appropriate organisations. Peer support is also only available for UK residents and sufferers who are currently pregnant.