A harrowing audio documentary, featured as one of the standout long reads of 2025, has cast a stark new light on the brutal reality of extreme pregnancy sickness, challenging the minimising term 'morning sickness'.
The Historical Torture of 'Pernicious Vomiting'
The piece, originally published in July and narrated by Nicolette Chin, reveals that the condition now known as hyperemesis gravidarum was termed 'pernicious vomiting of pregnancy' by Victorian doctors. Despite the passage of over a century, the programme argues that the core agony of the condition has seen little relief, leaving many sufferers feeling abandoned by modern medicine. Journalist Abi Stephenson's work compiles powerful first-person testimonies, with one woman describing periods where she 'wondered if this was death coming for me'.
A Personal Crisis in Modern Maternity Care
The podcast delves into the profound physical and psychological impact of hyperemesis, which extends far beyond typical nausea. It highlights a critical gap in care and treatment options, framing the experience not as a minor inconvenience but as a debilitating health crisis. The narrative powerfully questions why, in an age of advanced medical science, such severe suffering during pregnancy has persisted for so many.
As part of a special end-of-year series, the editorial team selected this audio long read for its unflinching examination of a common yet gravely misunderstood aspect of maternal health. The Guardian is promoting the piece throughout December to audiences who may have missed it earlier in the year.
Seeking Support and Solutions
The underlying message of the podcast is one of urgent advocacy. It calls for greater recognition, research, and effective treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum, moving the conversation from historical curiosity to contemporary clinical priority. The piece serves as a stark reminder of the very real challenges within pregnancy healthcare and the need for continued progress to support parents' wellbeing.
