THE HARDEST DECISION A WOMAN CAN MAKE

As women’s rights are being threatened around the globe, Kate,* 43, explains why she had an abortion

- MOIRA HOLDEN, LUCY LAING

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