Saltdean mom weight loss with hyperemesis gravidarum Brighton News

She suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum – the same disease of abrupt pregnancy experienced by the Duchess of Cambridge.

The constant nausea of ​​just four weeks was so debilitating that she even considered terminating the much desired pregnancy.

She could barely eat or drink for nine months and was hospitalized countless times as she went from the 17th 3lb to the 9th 7lb – all during her pregnancy.

Doctors told her it was the worst case of illness they had ever seen – but Michelle said it was worth it for the adorable Ollie.

The mother of three, from Saltdean, said: “The disease was the first indication I was pregnant, at only four weeks – but it only got worse and I would be sick more than 50 times a day .

“I was in and out of the hospital constantly hooked up to intravenous drops and feeding tubes because I was so malnourished and dehydrated.

“The nausea was so intense that I considered terminating the pregnancy at times and barely noticed the weight drop because I was so sick.

“I was over the moon to finally have Ollie and we love him – although my pregnancy was absolutely horrible and I would have given anything to be able to eat normally, even if that meant staying fat.

“I still have stomach problems now – I wanted to lose some weight before I got pregnant but that was definitely not what I had in mind.”

Michelle, mom to Joshua, 11, and Sarah, 13, ended up in A and E at five weeks pregnant – just a week after she tested positive – thanks to constant nausea and vomiting.

Unable to eat or drink, doctors at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton expressed concern over his weakness and dehydration.

The health worker suffered from incessant nausea and was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and prescribed her a cocktail of drugs.

But they barely worked, and she spent weeks at a time in the hospital on intravenous fluids to keep her hydrated, with a feeding tube in her nose.

Dangerously one week, she had a tube delivering nutrients directly into her veins and had to have two bags of IV fluid per day.

Michelle Stevens after weight loss due to stomach problem during pregnancy with son Ollie

Soon her size 22 clothes were hanging down from her size 10 frame.

Michelle, who was vomiting over fifty times a day, said: “The illness lasted the entire pregnancy and it seemed to be getting worse.

“The doctors told me it was one of the worst cases of HG they have ever seen.

“I was constantly going and leaving the hospital and literally crying every day.

“It was a very dark time for me.”

Michelle Stevens before losing weight from stomach problem during pregnancy with son Ollie

She considered termination, but stuck it out and eventually Ollie was born by Caesarean on June 4, 2020.

The baby was rushed to the NICU with a collapsed lung from the traumatic pregnancy and she went to the ICU for further monitoring and treatment.

Finally, mom and baby were able to come home ten days later.

Michelle ended up with an undiagnosed stomach problem, which means she can’t gain weight and it hurts to eat.

She added, “I have a dietician looking for answers, but even now I have had Ollie, it’s incredibly painful to eat.

“I wanted to lose weight before I got pregnant, but now I’m actually smaller than I ever wanted to.”

Michelle has lost a lot of weight due to her condition

Despite her “hellish pregnancy,” she said the main thing is for Ollie to be happy and healthy.

She said: “I had HG with my previous pregnancies, but never realized how bad it could get – it was unlike anything I had experienced before.

“But we’re so grateful to have Ollie and we love him – that’s the most important thing.”