Women are having ‘needless’ abortions after being denied drugs for severe morning sickness, experts warn
Without treatment, it can be so debilitating that it leaves women with little choice but to terminate their pregnancy
WOMEN are needlessly aborting babies after being wrongly denied drugs for severe morning sickness, a study found.
Around 15,000 pregnancies a year are blighted by Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which causes excessive nausea and vomiting.
Kate Middleton – the Duchess of Cornwall – was treated for the condition while carrying Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Women with HG may be sick up to 50 times a day, leaving them dehydrated and unable to keep food or drink down.
It can be treated with fluids administered via a drip or various medications, including Ondansetron, which is considered safe and effective.
But a study of 394 women by Plymouth University revealed many had been given false information about the risk of the drugs.
Without treatment, HG can be so debilitating that it leaves women with little choice but to terminate their pregnancy.
One said: “I was told ondansetron was the strongest drug, which isn’t true, and made to believe when it didn’t work that nothing else could be done.
“I terminated my baby because of this and have now spiralled into depression.”
Another said: “I had a termination because I was led to believe there were no more options.”
The research was carried out for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Pregnancy Sickness Support and is published in the midwifery journal Midirs.
Only 34 per cent of women quizzed felt they were given accurate information, allowing them to make informed decisions.
Half found accessing treatment was difficult because they were often not believed when presenting to their doctor or midwife.
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And 25 per cent felt they were not treated with dignity and respect, the study found.
One woman told she was treating hospital like a “hotel” and another warned she could be reported to social services after saying she was struggling to care for her children.
Bpas and PSS are calling for more HG day units to be opened, where women can be treated by specialist staff.
Women were significantly more satisfied with treatment in day units and spent half as much time in hospital, representing a significant cost saving for the NHS.
Clare Murphy, from Bpas, said: “We can and must do more to ensure that women are given all the information they need to make their own decisions about the medication and treatments which may enable them to continue a much wanted pregnancy.
“Healthcare professionals must trust women – if a woman says she is ill and unable to cope – she should be believed and supported, not dismissed.”
Caitlin Dean, from Pregnancy Sickness Support, said: “It is encouraging that women are satisfied with treatment in HG Day Units as they are certainly cost effective.
“However, it is important that whatever setting women receive treatment, they are treated with dignity and respect, that their symptoms are acknowledged and believed, and that the information they receive is accurate and evidence-based.
“We may not have a cure for HG yet but we can certainly improve care and treatment through new services, education and awareness.”