In 2023, Farzila Allarakha shared her story of battling hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) while seven months pregnant. Her experiences remain as poignant and relevant today as they were then, shedding light on the relentless challenges of this condition.
Before I experienced HG, I knew nothing about it. I’d heard of nausea and sickness during pregnancy, but nothing could have prepared me for what I went through. The sheer gravity and suffering of HG can only be understood when you live it.
My HG started at five weeks, and by the time I was seven months pregnant, it still hadn’t stopped. It began with extreme nausea—I couldn’t even eat my meals. Then the vomiting kicked in, and I felt faint, dizzy, and too weak to leave my bed. Working in a family business, I had to find the energy to help out some days, but it was a constant battle.
The medical team in Derby was supportive. My GP referred me to A&E, and while the wait was long and I fainted from exhaustion, I eventually received help from the Early Pregnancy Unit. A lovely nurse named Nicola looked after me, and just being able to talk to someone who understood what I was going through made such a difference. I was put on drips, but I reacted badly to anti-sickness medication—it caused severe muscle spasms and numbness in half my body. This experience has scarred me, leaving me feeling weak, lonely, and vulnerable.
HG took a heavy toll on my daily life. I couldn’t stand the smell of food, much less eat it. Even ordering takeout—a necessity since I couldn’t cook—felt like throwing money away because I’d end up vomiting anyway. I was once a big foodie, but HG made me hate food. I constantly worried about whether my baby was getting the nutrients they needed.
Mentally, HG broke me. At the start, I cried every day. I felt depressed, worried about my baby, and sorry for myself because I couldn’t eat or enjoy my pregnancy. I alerted my midwife, who referred me to a GP, and I began receiving counseling. That’s helped me work through my thoughts and focus on the joy of meeting my baby soon. But I won’t lie—this hasn’t been the happy pregnancy I hoped for.
Pregnancy Sickness Support was a lifeline. Reading stories of other women who have suffered with HG reminded me I wasn’t alone. The emails, tips, and understanding they provided were invaluable. HG can be incredibly isolating, and hearing from others helped me feel stronger.
After this experience, I’ve decided I won’t have more children. Before, I wasn’t sure how many kids I wanted, but HG has made that decision for me. Still, I want other women to know it gets easier. The human body is incredible—we adapt to what life throws at us. I’ve found small things that help me, like lighting candles to mask food smells, sucking on polos or lockets, and eating right after I vomit when I have a small window of relief.
More people need to understand how serious HG is. It’s not just “morning sickness”—it’s life-changing. To all the women out there battling HG, stay positive. You’re stronger than you think, and I pray it becomes easier for you.
Farzila’s resilience and determination to find moments of strength amidst her struggle are a powerful reminder of the need for greater awareness, understanding, and support for those battling HG.