Hi everyone,

We are raising money to contribute towards building care packages for women suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum/Nausea and Vomiting in pregnancy. These will be donated initially to our local Trust then further afield if possible.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a spectrum condition that affects 20,000 women in the UK each year.

I have had three pregnancies where I have endured HG. My most recent was the worst and I was diagnosed with severe HG. For me this was the inability to eat or drink normally from week 5 of my pregnancy. I was limited to one or two "safe foods" or "safe drinks". I had hypersalivation which further contributed to dehydration. I vomited all day from the second I would wake up in the morning. I lost weight. My pregnancy was high risk of miscarriage, as I had sadly experienced before. The vomiting never stopped from week 5 and even as I was in labour at week 35, it was incessant.

I spent the majority of my pregnancy in and out of hospital for prolonged admissions for anti sickness treatment, fluid replacement and steroid treatment. I ended up bed bound. It was a very dark and lonely experience.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is classed as a rare disease. And with that comes a real lack of understanding from everyone around you, including health professionals.

I have decided to build HG Care Packages to donate to my local trust and hopefully further afield. These will be given to women admitted for treatment for Nausea and Vomiting in pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Our care packages will contain:

- Tissues

- Scentless lip balm

- Hair ties

- Eye mask

- Flannel

- Note pad and pen

- Sugarless sweets

- Affirmations

- Signposting to support organisations

My hope is that this will help women suffering feel less alone and that we can signpost them to supportive organisations earlier.

I would so appreciate any small amount that you could donate towards this.

Thank you for your kindness,

Sarah and family.