THE HARDEST DECISION A WOMAN CAN MAKE
WOMAN'S OWN|May 30, 2022
As women’s rights are being threatened around the globe, Kate,* 43, explains why she had an abortion
MOIRA HOLDEN, LUCY LAING
THE HARDEST DECISION A WOMAN CAN MAKE

Clutching my tummy, I struggled down the aisle of the plane towards the toilet. This was the fourth time I’d needed to go and it hadn’t been long since the plane had taken off. I just about managed to wait my turn before closing the door and being sick. It was December 2007 and my new husband John* and I were on the way back to Manchester airport after getting married in California. We’d found out I was pregnant not long before saying I do, but while I was looking forward to getting home to start buying a pram and baby clothes – the journey had so far been

'So, this is what pregnancy is all about,' I thought, refusing the meal offered by the cabin crew as I got up yet again for the toilet. By the time we landed, I'd been sick 13 times.

I'd always wanted a big family, and hoped to have four, five, maybe six children, but while I'd expected a bit of morning sickness, this was horrendous.

The day after we landed, I went to see my GP, who sent me straight to hospital, where the doctors diagnosed hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) - severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. I've never heard of it," I said, baffled.

Doctors thought I had possibly lost the baby, so I had a scan at seven weeks. It showed two babies - twins!

'I WAS BEING SICK MORE THAN 60 TIMES A DAY'

John and I were thrilled, but after the initial excitement, I found it hard to feel anything other than exhaustion.

I was admitted to hospital because I couldn't keep any food down, but I left after a week, armed with the anti-sickness cyclizine medication. Only, it failed to alleviate the debilitating bouts of vomiting.

FEELING ISOLATED

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 30, 2022 من WOMAN'S OWN.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 30, 2022 من WOMAN'S OWN.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.