HG Heroes

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a notoriously under recognised and under appreciated condition, with many women feeling isolated and let down by those around them, unable to get the treatment and care they deserve. But not all...

There are loads of wonderful doctors, midwives, nurses and other healthcare professionals out there who treat women with hyperemesis with the care and treatment they deserve. Healthcare professionals who go above and beyond the simple process of writing a prescription and actually support and advocate for their patients, encourage them and empathise with their struggles.

There are also lots of incredible partners out there who unquestioningly take over their partners roles and responsibilities, look after the house and family, nurse their partner, clean out sick bowls, comfort and support through the darkest loneliest moments of hyperemesis.

And then there are friends and family who, despite never having suffered hyperemesis themselves, have sent text messages, made meals, taken the kids out, visited, called and supported. And employers who bent over backwards to accommodate flexible hours or working from home for a woman or her partner, or perhaps they made the sick pay system simple and were supportive of needing time off never adding to the guilt she will already be feeling.

All of these people, whilst doing all these thing without consideration or question, may have no idea just what a massive difference they have made to the experience of the hyperemesis sufferer. Just a little bit of compassion and empathy in the face of public misunderstanding goes a long way!

To recognise these partners and healthcare professionals, friends and employers and to say thank you to them I have started a series of "HG Heroes". Women can nominate their HG Heroes and I will feature them on my blog for the world to see.

My hope is that the series will encourage others to understand how a little bit of support can help a woman suffering so much. It will offer encouragement and hope to people currently supporting hyperemesis sufferers and let them know what a massive difference they are making to their loved one or their patient or their employee. It's easy for people to feel helpless in the face of hyperemesis gravidarum - the treatments aren't always effective and are rarely a cure- but a little bit of company after weeks of isolation, feeling heard by your doctor and understanding from you employer can almost be as effective as the medications themselves for helping a women to "survive" the ordeal. It may not reduce the symptoms but it will certainly reduce the suffering!

Our Hyperemesis Gravidarum Heroes so far:

• Rob Dean aka "Mr Spewing Mummy"
• Dr Tony Barnie-Adshead, co-founder of PSS
• Al Johnson
• The HER Foundation
• Heather Miranda
• Dr Stephen Granier
• Matthew Henwood
• Dr Wignell
• Bendan Cronin

Recognise your own HG Heroes

You can now download an HG Hero certificate to give to your own Heroes who have helped you through your pregnancy. Don't forget to give them to your GP or Midwife if they were great and let them know how they made a difference... encouraging them with a positive message of thanks and gratitude will soon spread amongst their colleagues and encourage them to want to do the best for their patients. If your partner is a superstar then let them know you appreciate them with a Spewing Mummy Certificate. Or perhaps your employer has been really supportive?

To get the certificate fill in the form below and I'll email you the certificate to print off. You can then print as many as you need

Please send me an HG Hero Certificate: