Nearly 20 years ago, my wife was pregnant with our son and I was a new GP (Morning sickness breakthrough raises hopes of possible cure, 13 December). I remember her waking suddenly from a deep sleep in the night and bolting for the toilet to vomit seconds later. The recent coverage has, inevitably, referred to it as morning sickness. The “morning” part has served to diminish it for generations. Pregnancy-induced sickness happens in the morning, afternoon, evening and, yes, in the wee hours too. Can we please stop with the “morning” sickness?
Dr Euan Lawson
Editor, British Journal of General Practice
• Many thanks, Bertie Carvel (Bertie Carvel looks back: ‘My mother was a force. She made me who I am’, 16 December). I now know the answer. To those people who ask me how I feel about my husband, who is suffering from dementia, I shall say I’m “grieving in slow motion”. My feelings now have a perfect description.
Name and address supplied
