Woman Pursues Sterilisation After Battle with Severe Pregnancy Sickness

A 26-year-old woman from Newport, identified as Chloe, is seeking sterilisation following a harrowing experience with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe pregnancy-related illness. After facing debilitating symptoms during her pregnancies, she now believes sterilisation is her best option due to ongoing difficulties accessing effective treatment.

Chloe’s ordeal began during her first pregnancy, when she experienced extreme nausea and vomiting that often left her bedridden. “I literally spent the first whole of my first trimester in bed on ice cubes, because I couldn’t eat or drink,” she recounted. The condition led to hospitalisation for dehydration, and despite her struggles, she managed to complete her first pregnancy in 2023.

The challenges intensified when Chloe unexpectedly became pregnant again. The prospect of another pregnancy filled her with dread. “I remember when I found out I literally turned around to my partner and I was like, ‘what do we do?'” she said. The intensity of her sickness worsened her mental health, and she was unable to take her prescribed antidepressants. Chloe even scheduled an abortion, fearing for her safety and ability to care for her family.

However, a scare involving an ectopic pregnancy led her to a gynaecologist who prescribed Xonvea, an anti-sickness medication recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. This drug is not routinely available in Wales and costs approximately £28.50 for a box of 20 tablets, making it considerably pricier than other alternatives. Chloe stated that Xonvea dramatically improved her situation, allowing her to cancel the abortion and regain some semblance of normalcy. “At the start, it just meant that I was able to take my antidepressants, which then helped level my mood,” she explained.

Despite this positive turn, Chloe is still determined to avoid future pregnancies. She is now arranging for sterilisation, a choice she feels is necessary given her previous experiences. According to NHS Wales, between one and three out of every 100 pregnant women experience HG, although many cases may go unreported. Symptoms can include severe nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and significant weight loss, often requiring hospital treatment.

Dr. Georgina Forbes, a specialist in sexual and reproductive health, highlighted the urgency of improving access to treatments like Xonvea. She noted that many women seeking abortions are often at their wits’ end after struggling to obtain effective medication. “They are broken,” she said, reflecting on her experiences with patients dealing with HG.

In light of these challenges, Lindsay Whittle, a member of the Welsh Parliament for Plaid Cymru, has called for better access to Xonvea. He emphasized that constituents have shared “heart-wrenching” stories of their struggles with HG. Whittle argued that the cost of Xonvea is minimal compared to the financial burden of hospital stays associated with untreated HG. “It’s less than the price of a meal out in an average restaurant,” he remarked.

The Welsh government responded to these concerns, stating that general practitioners across Wales regularly prescribe Xonvea. A spokesperson explained that the availability of medications on the National Health Service (NHS) is guided by independent evaluations, specifically from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). They indicated that Xonvea is not recommended for routine use due to insufficient cost-effectiveness data.

The AWMSG has been engaged with the manufacturer of Xonvea for over 18 months, exploring options for its broader availability. As discussions continue, Chloe’s case underscores the need for improved access to effective treatments for severe pregnancy sickness, highlighting the profound impact HG can have on women’s lives and mental health.