The harsh reality of ‘extreme morning sickness'
When I hear of a new pregnancy, I ask after the mother, recalling my two pregnancies in the early 1990s. Both ended with successful delivery, and I can't imagine life without my two children. But I wonder whether my daughter will have inherited my predisposition to sickness throughout pregnancy, just as I did from my own mother.
It is wonderful news to think there might be some safe medical option for her and many other women. I had many miserable days and nights with sick bowl to hand, eating one Rice Krispie every 30 minutes and always, always, throwing it back up. I theorised that a morsel of sugary goodness would get through, somehow. For my second pregnancy, under pressure to return to work after six weeks' sick leave, I spent a morning in the staff toilet before being allowed home again for another month.
The nausea and vomiting started before a positive pregnancy test and ended within hours of giving birth. It took a lot of persuasion for me to embark on a second pregnancy and I've never regretted it, but memories soon fade.
Since then I've had chemotherapy, which made me so sick that I required all the anti‑nausea drugs on offer. But being pregnant was worse, maybe because I hadn't anticipated fighting to stay alive as part of the deal. Thanks, Abi, for giving voice to an issue that affects many of us, and causes women to die while pregnant – yet is ignored.Dr Wendy BryantChappel, Essex
Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Myleene Klass reveals she helped saved a stranger's life while volunteering with St John's Ambulance at Brighton Pride
Myleene Klass has revealed that she helped to save a life while volunteering with St. John's Ambulance at Brighton Pride over the weekend. The presenter 47, who has been an ambassador for the charity since March 2021, stepped in to help when a man became critically ill during the Sugababes' headline set at Preston Park. Myleene was part of a first response unit at the festival as had to perform a procedure called a 'jaw thrust' as part of her duties. A jaw thrust is a manual technique that involves lifting the lower jaw forward to displace the tongue, thus helping to clear the patient's airway. Taking to Instagram on Monday following the incident, Myleene filmed herself as she heaped praise on the charity, telling how she was 'utterly blown away' she was by everybody's efforts. She told the camera: 'You can probably hear the Sugababes are on in the background, and I've just helped save a life. 'It was honestly awe-inspiring seeing how St John Ambulance operated. We have doctors and paramedics. Everyone is here. Everyone just did their bit." The presenter 47, who has been an ambassador for the charity since March 2021, stepped in to help when a man became critically ill during the Sugababes' headline set at Preston Park Myleene, who has worked on and off with St John's Ambulance since being involved in their 2021 'Ask Me' brand campaign, went on to say that the man had en taken to hospital but she couldn't give any more details. She said: 'I cannot divulge what happened with the patient, what the circumstances are but what I can say is I am utterly blown away and just to have been a small part of it as well. 'I actually just had to do the procedure that is known as a jaw thrust - that gives you an indication as to how serious the scenario was. The patient is on their way to the hospital right now.' As part of her caption, Myleene hailed St. John's Ambulance for their work, writing: 'To the SJA team, you are exceptional. You said afterwards you were 'just doing your jobs' but as SJA volunteers, that's not entirely true. 'You were following a calling on your 'day off' which saved a life and immeasurable heartache for the patient's family and friends.' This isn't the only time Myleene has come to the rescue and saved a life, having saved both of her daughters from choking in the past. In her 2022 book They Don't Teach This At School, the radio presenter recalled the moment she was caught off-guard when her daughter Ava, 17, choked on calamari while on holiday. While her youngest girl Hero, 13, got a plastic star stuck in her throat when she was 18 months old. As part of her caption, Myleene hailed St. John's Ambulance for their work, writing: 'To the SJA team, you are exceptional She wrote in her book: 'A couple of years ago we were relaxing on holiday and my defences were down, so when Ava started to choke on calamari I didn't immediately realise. 'Hero choked on a small plastic star when she was one and a half.' The Smooth Radio host went on to describe the mechanics of what to do if someone is choking, and even shared a step-by-step guide to performing CPR. She previously said of her eldest daughter's incident on social media: 'My daughter (the other one this time) choked on holiday and I only knew what to do because I've done a first aid course. 'Please parents, arm and educate yourselves. It happened so quickly. Five mins later it was as if nothing had happened. I've just booked another refresher course.'
The Sun
3 minutes ago
- The Sun
I've tried hundreds of sunscreens as a beauty editor – here's the very best budget SPFs to protect your skin this summer
WE should all be wearing SPF every day - but a quick poll of the office reveals most of us don't. The number one reason we skip sun protection? Texture. 7 It's not just the Fabulous office who struggles with the stickiness, according to a recent NIVEA survey, 69% of Brits say texture is important when choosing a sunscreen. Shockingly, 1 in 4 Brits even go to the extreme of avoiding sunscreen all together due to disliking its texture - with greasy and sticky formulas bring the top major turn-offs. The good news? There's hoards of non-sticky, non-greasy, non-tacky options now available, and you don't have to spend shedloads to find the perfect formula. As well as advising using an SPF of 30+ year round, every dermatologist I've ever spoken to has conceded that the best sunscreen is the one you will use. Spending loads on high-tech products that promise the earth is useless if you don't like the feel of them on your skin. 'The price of sunscreen does not always determine its effectiveness. More expensive sunscreens may use higher-quality ingredients or offer additional benefits such as anti-ageing properties. However, budget options can still provide adequate protection if they have an SPF of 30 or higher and 4-star UVA protection or higher,' explains consultant dermatologist Dr Thivi Maruthappu, author of Skin Food: Your 4 Step Solution To Healthy, Happy Skin. "A product's UVA protection can be checked by looking at either its star rating (look for 4-5 starts) or the term 'broad spectrum cover," she adds. I've put hundreds of SPFs to the test over the last few months, from super-luxury options to bargain basement formulas. It wasn't all pretty - some left awful white residue behind, others broke me out or left my eyes watering from the scent. In the past, I've been some-what of an SPF snob. With pretty much any sunscreen I want at my fingertips, you won't be surprised to hear that I gravitate towards the spenny options. I have acne-prone skin that's oilier than most but also easily irritated, plus I have super sensitive eyes. Premium brands have previously been the ones to cater to my needs, but this summer things have changed, and these are the very best budget options - ringing in at £16 or less. You might be wondering how I've tested them - don't worry, I've taken it very seriously. I've used them all for at least a week each, and have kept my skincare and make-up the same throughout the process, to make sure every single SPF was measured against the same goal posts. I've been on a couple of holidays too, where they've been road tested at the beach and by the pool, as well as day to day in London, which is arguably the biggest test of all - think sweaty tube rides, the dry air of office air con, under warm studio lights, and long days full of events that have me running around the city - so you can trust they've been put through their paces. BEST AFFORDABLE SENSITIVE SKIN SPF Byoma Ultralight Face Fluid SPF50 £15 Confession time - when Byoma launched their first SPF a couple of years ago, I wasn't a massive fan. You can imagine, then, that I had low expectations for this SPF - although the packaging did intrigue me, as it's similar to a couple of brands that cost three times as much. Thankfully, the inside did not disappoint. It has the same consistency as a lightweight moisturiser, which makes sense given it contains Byoma's signature barrier boosting complex that nourishes skin. On application, it takes a couple of minutes to absorb, and remains glowy in that time - which makes it a great hydrating primer for make-up. If you don't love glow, it dries down quickly and doesn't block bores, which is perfect if you have acne-prone skin like me! BEST AFFORDABLE GLOW BOOSTING SPF Simple Glow+ SPF50 Invisible UV Fluid, £12.99 BUY NOW Simple launched not one, but three new SPF's last month, and this is my personal favourite of the trio. It somehow strikes the perfect combination of radiant but not at all sticky thanks to the water consistency and skin-loving niacinamide, which helps reduce redness, balance oil production and moisturise skin. It goes on white, but quickly disappears, so it doesn't leave a cast behind. It's also fragrance-free, which I prefer as anything too perfumed can irritate my eyes. BEST AFFORDABLE TINTED SPF Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Brightening Fluid Glow SPF 50+, £12.99 BUY NOW You really can't go far wrong with Garnier's sun protection products - and across the board they're some of the cheapest on the market. This tinted formula is no different - it's lightweight, hydrating and not at all gloopy, which is a common complaint when it comes to SPFs with added colour. If you're looking for something full coverage, this isnt it - the tint is barely there, which is just as well as they only have one shade (do better!) but it helps make sure there's no grey or white pigment residue left on skin to leave skin ghoulsih. BEST AFFORDABLE HYDRATING SPF HABI Sunny Shield SPF40 Lotion, £7 If you've not met HABI yet, it's the latest own brand offering from Boots, designed to cut through social media hype and instill good beauty and wellness habits with a range of hard-working staples. As the cheapest sunscreen on my list, it's certainly ticking all of those boxes. The formula is on the thicker end of the spectrum - so much so, I almost wrote it off the first time I tried it, however it still sat really nicely under make-up, didn't cause me to become an oil slick by lunch or irritate my skin, which is the most important part. Because of the richer consistency, it would be especially good for anyone with dry or dehydragted skin, but frankly it's great for all skin types - just expect something that gives a bit more slip akin to a moisturiser, rather than a weightless SPF. BEST AFFORDABLE SHINE-REDUCING SPF BUY NOW This is as much a primer as it is an SPF, thanks to the serious blurring power that helps disguise texture - which is ideal as I have quite a few spot scars on my face, but it would also help redice the appearance of large pores and fine lines. It has a velvety texture that doesn't feel too heavy or mask-like on skin, but helps absorb oil and sweat so that they don't break through and cause make-up to separate. Plus, thanks to glycerin, vitamin E and niacinamide it helps improve the look and feel of uneven skin texture and tone over time - win win! BEST AFFORDABLE LIGHTWEIGHT SPF Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+, £15.50 BUY NOW Hands down, this is the most lightweight SPF I've ever used. I've tried SPF's that cost upwards of £80, and not one of them can rival this formula. It's completely invisible on skin - sinking within seconds so there's no residue left behind at all, just skin that feels like skin. I was sceptical about how much protection it would provide given the invisible formula, but it withstood a day snorkelling in the Maldives, and a 20k-step day in Lisbon with barely a hint of a tan, never mind sunburn. It doesn't pill, doesn't sting my eyes, and doesn't cause me to break out. I defy anyone who thinks they hate all SPF's to try it - you'll be converted I'm sure. The Importance of SPF WITH summer finally here, here's everything you need to know about SPF. 1. Protects Against UV Radiation: SPF shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. 2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer: Regular use of SPF can significantly lower the risk of developing various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. 3. Prevents Premature Aging: UV exposure accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps maintain youthful skin by blocking these aging effects. 4. Maintains Even Skin Tone: Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Using SPF regularly can help prevent these issues, leading to a more even and radiant complexion. 5. Essential for All Skin Types: Regardless of skin type or tone, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage. 6. Everyday Necessity: UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, making daily SPF application essential, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The ‘magic' pigmentation serum that sold every two MINUTES on launch day is finally back in stock - and it transforms skin in weeks
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Tired of battling stubborn hyperpigmentation, dark spots and lingering redness? The new Hyperpigmentation Serum from Skin Rocks might just be your skincare game-changer. Clinically proven to fade marks in as little as two weeks, this powerhouse formula sold out within five days of launching – and with one selling every two minutes on launch day, it's safe to say people are obsessed. Skin Rocks The Hyperpigmentation Serum, 30ml A new product from the brand but already boasting dozens of five-star reviews, the Skin Rocks Hyperpigmentation Serum is designed to reduce even the trickiest pigmentation in as little as two weeks. Clinically proven to treat a huge array of hyperpigmentation and dark marks, it's been formulated with a carefully curated blend of actives to help reduce the appearance of marks while increasing radiance in all skin tones and types. £85 Shop Whether you struggle with post-breakout marks, stubborn redness or melasma, you need a skincare product that'll help you tackle it all while leaving your skin looking healthy and radiant. That's where The Hyperpigmentation Serum from Skin Rocks comes in. A new product from the brand but already boasting dozens of five-star reviews, this sell-out serum is a must for those after a fast solution to dullness, uneven skin tone and dark spots. 'I have sun damage and red marks from old spots so am using 2 pumps in the evening, I have noticed that after just two weeks of use my skin looks considerably clearer,' raved one five-star reviewer. 'I can also say that after just one use, I woke up in the morning to glowing skin.' Clinically proven to treat a huge array of hyperpigmentation and dark marks, this science-backed Skin Rocks serum has been formulated with a potent blend of proven pigmentation-fighting ingredients to help perfect the skin - and fast. These include ingredients such as Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrapeptide-30 and Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Hexylresorcinol and Ethyl Linoleate, Niacinamide, and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, which work synergistically to reduce hyperpigmentation production from different angles. From defending the skin against free radical damage and strengthening the skin barrier to reducing pigmentation and preventing it from occurring in the first place, this serum is the one-and-done solution you've been after. And while the before and after photos are exceptional enough, Skin Rocks has the numbers to prove the serum's impressiveness, too. In clinical trials, brown spots were reduced by up to 24 per cent after eight weeks – and consumer feedback is just as impressive, where among 117 participants using the serum daily, 83 per cent saw a more even skin tone in two weeks and 90 per cent noticed brighter skin in four weeks. But it's not just the test subjects who have been seeing impressive results – reviewers already can't get enough of the Hyperpigmentation Serum, raving of the 'gentle', 'hydrating' and 'effective' results. 'Already seeing results on my hyperpigmentation after 2 weeks usage!' raved one impressive five-star reviewer. 'Can't wait to see what results prolonged usage will bring. Effective while being gentle and non-irritating to my sensitive skin - this is an absolute winner!' Another added: 'Lovely serum, skin feels so hydrated after use. Sinks in really well and is a perfect base for the next skin care product. Looking forward to seeing results.' 'Has already lightened my sun spot in only two weeks! Very excited to see what happens over the next few weeks,' wrote a third.
