Study: Over half of women with this medical condition consider abortion

Women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness, are likely to consider abortion or avoid pregnancy in the future, a new study claims.

Key Takeaways:

• Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is an extreme form of morning sickness and includes severe nausea and vomiting, as well as possible weight loss and dehydration.

• Many women with HG are unable to work and even need to be hospitalized.

• Previous studies have confirmed that HG can have horrific consequences, leading women to consider (or even go through with) abortions.

• A new study out of Australia had similar results, emphasizing the need for women to receive immediate treatment for the condition.

The Details:

A recent study was published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed journal of the Public Library of Science, in which researchers from Flinders University surveyed 286 Australian women to better understand the emotional and physical burden HG has on pregnant mothers.

According to the study, 75% of these women experienced weight loss and 72% had to be admitted to the hospital. Virtually all respondents had difficulty eating or drinking, while over half said they experienced serious anxiety and depression due to their symptoms.

Ninety percent (90%) of the women said they did not want to go through with pregnancy again due to fear of getting HG, while 54% had considered abortion. While most of the women did receive treatment, it was not sufficient and often came with other side effects and symptoms.

Commentary:

“Women are often prescribed multiple medications in an attempt to manage their symptoms, but the reality is that many of these treatments come with their own burdens,” said Luke Grzeskowiak, associate professor at Flinders University and lead author of the study.

Caitlin Kay-Smith, study co-author and founder of Hyperemesis Australia, added, “We need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward personalized care that recognizes the full impact of HG."

In an interview with Newsweek, Grzeskowiak said the study proves that doctors need to do more to help women suffering from HG.

"Our study shows that many women are not getting the support or relief they need, and that's something we must urgently address," he said, and added that despite how bad the symptoms are, women are clear about what they want and need. "They want to be heard, believed, and treated with dignity."

Why It Matters:

Though this study had a small sample size, it is not the first to reveal the devastating effects of HG.

A previous study, released in 2021 by Kings College London, followed over 5,000 women, and found similar results. That study likewise found that roughly half of the women had considered abortion, while a small number — 5.2% — actually went through with it. Over 30% were found to be suicidal, and many of them said their medical care was not good enough. Many also said doctors dismissed their symptoms rather than provide treatment.

“I would say that the vast majority of women who contact our helpline have had negative experiences with healthcare professionals,” Dr. Caitlin Dean, Chairperson for Pregnancy Sickness Support, which runs a helpline for HG, said in response to the study at the time. “As a charity for the condition, our women are biased toward the negative experiences. However, given that we receive between 30 and 50 calls each week, most of whom are receiving awful treatment or even being refused treatment, there is clearly still a massive problem with the way the condition is understood.”

The women who chose abortion were often traumatized by the experience, and went through with it because they felt they had no other choice, as they received little-to-no medical help from their providers.

“With all those motherly instincts you have, to terminate a child’s life you’ve got to be desperate. I really felt as if I was on my last legs,” Lily, one woman who suffered from HG, told the BBC in 2021. “I don’t trust the doctors. They don’t take it seriously enough and it would just lead to another termination.”

Many women are still not receiving treatment in a timely manner and are being denied access to medications that may help, as well as other treatments like steroid therapy, which may help when typical medicines do not work.

The Bottom Line:

Women with HG are being systematically failed by the medical industry, and they deserve better. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a very real and devastating condition. Women need legitimate health care instead of being left to suffer until they are so desperate and ill that aborting their children seems to be the only option they have to save their own lives.