Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has spoken out about suffering from the pregnancy condition Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Helen, who is engaged to Preston footballer Scott Sinclair, has previously said that their third baby would be her last after suffering from the condition which causes severe nausea and vomiting, which she's had during all her pregnancies.
Symptoms for expectant mothers also include weight loss and dehydration, believed to be caused by the rise in hormone levels. In a frank new post Helen revealed how she also struggled mentally with the condition and she was too ill to be able to look after her children Matilda, six, Delilah, three, while pregnant with Charlie, who turned one last month.
Posting a photo on her Instagram of Charlie enjoying a vegetarian sausage the 31-year-old star said she topped eating meat because of the condition. She wrote: "Started to eat sausages (vegetarian I can't deal with meat - I had hyperemesis with each baby and I went off meat so much never really liked it before)."
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Helen, who plays Coronation Street favourite Rosie Webster, says she receives messages from other mums struggling with HG and has urged them to get help. She wrote: "Hyperemesis I get so many direct messages about ... I really struggled with it... mentally as well as it makes you feel so low."
She explained: "I hated not being able to look after my children when I was ill with Charlie. I would just constantly throw up even lights would make me feel sick and I stayed with my parents for about three months.
"I would defo say just get medical help. Medication can helo that the doctors prescribe for hyperemesis. You have to rest and you have to help help x"
The actress from Bury has previously told how she would be 'sad' to stop breastfeeding because of Charlie is likely to be her last baby because of HG. "Charlie's highly likely my last and I do think it's so special and I love the bonding," she said.
And she wrote: "I am under no illusion that there will be times that I find juggling three children challenging. I find the first month of having a newborn quite overwhelming but that’s fine to feel that way.
"I am very grateful to be blessed with three babies. This will be my last pregnancy due to Hyperemesis Gravidarum but I have so many pictures of my pregnancies for memories."
She said giving birth to Charlie, on her fiance Scott 32nd birthday in March 2021, was one of her 'proudest moments.' They welcomed their boy at the Royal Bolton Hospital where Helen was also born.
While in the grip of HG, which was also experienced by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, Helen previously told how lots of rest helped her and 'eating little and often.' And she said sipping lemonade worked for her.
"I was ill with girls and a boy. The HG got stronger though in each pregnancy," she said. And she added the positive message: "Your babies are always so worth it and more."
