A heart-wrenching story has come to light about a 26-year-old UK woman, Jess Cronshaw, who took her own life at 28 weeks pregnant due to severe pregnancy sickness that was allegedly not taken seriously by medical professionals.
Jess was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition that causes extreme nausea and vomiting, which even Kate Middleton struggled with during her pregnancy.
The Struggle Was Real: Jess’s Battle with HG
According to her mother, Susan Cronshaw, Jess’s condition was so severe that she couldn’t eat or drink, resulting in significant weight loss and a dramatic change in her appearance.
“Her weight was dropping off her. Her skin was white. She just wasn’t Jess,” Susan said.
In a voice memo to a friend, Jess described her experience as the “hardest thing” she had ever gone through, saying, “The constant nausea, there’s no relief from it. I just spend my days in bed. It’s just horrible.”
A Lack of Support and Guidance
Despite her struggles, Jess was advised not to take anti-nausea medication due to concerns about harm to her baby. However, an inquest into her death later found that this guidance was “incorrect.”
Moreover, Jess was not referred to any mental health services or support, which her mother believes contributed to her deteriorating mental health.
“I wouldn’t want anybody to feel how Jess did. She felt like no one was listening – and they weren’t,” Susan said.
The Devastating Consequences
Tragically, Jess took her own life while 28 weeks pregnant, and her daughter, Elsie, was delivered via C-section but died four days later.
The inquest into Jess’s death concluded that feeling “unheard” and receiving incorrect guidance contributed to her mental health deterioration.
Susan believes that if just one person had taken her daughter’s condition seriously and provided support, the outcome could have been different.
“That’s all it would have (taken), one individual to do something for Jess, and it would have changed the outcome altogether,” she said.
This story highlights the importance of taking pregnancy-related illnesses seriously and providing adequate support to expectant mothers.
It’s crucial to raise awareness about hyperemesis gravidarum and the need for comprehensive care and resources for those affected. If you or someone you know is struggling with pregnancy-related complications or mental health issues, please seek help and support.