In November 2022, 26-year-old Jess Cronshaw sadly died at 28 weeks pregnant after a long struggle with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe pregnancy sickness. Her daughter Elsie was delivered by emergency caesarean section but sadly died four days later.
She couldn’t drink, she couldn’t eat, her weight was dropping off her. Her skin was white. She just wasn’t Jess.
Susan Cronshaw, Jess's mother
Jess's battle with HG
During pregnancy, Jess had nausea and vomiting, making her unable to eat or even drink (symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum). Her mother, Susan Cronshaw, observed that Jess was losing weight too fast, her skin tone was pale, and she had become a shadow of her previous self. Jess had told a friend that her condition was "the most difficult thing" she had ever faced, remaining indoors all day in bed without any respite.
I wouldn't want anybody to feel how Jess did. She felt like no one was listening - and they weren't. It felt like you were just pushed from pillar to post. There was nobody taking it and being in charge of it.
Susan Cronshaw, Jess's mother
Lack of adequate medical care
Even though she was prescribed anti-nausea medication, Jess was told to discontinue taking it because of the danger it posed to her unborn baby. This deprived her of any effective treatment.
No one recognized just how sick her daughter was, Susan says, Jess was given an anti-nausea medication but was advised not to take it because it could harm her baby
The inquest into her death concluded that inadequate medical care and the absence of mental health support contributed significantly to her worsening mental state. The inquest also concluded that Jess was not referred to any mental health services or interventions during pregnancy.
“That’s all it would have [taken], one individual to do something for Jess, and it would have changed the outcome altogether, I know that, and I live with that.” Susan Cronshaw, Jess's mother.
The psychological impact of HG
The physical symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum(HG) are usually accompanied by extreme psychological distress. Women with hyperemesis gravidarum(HG) are at greater risk of developing antenatal depression, which is defined by excessive anxiety, feelings of failure or guilt, and in extreme cases, suicidal ideation. In November 2022, Jess was 28 weeks pregnant when she took her own life. Her daughter, Elsie, died four days after she was delivered via C-section.
We had her christened, she got reunited with her mom … there are no words I can give you. Just heartbroken. Living my life now feels like I’m lost.
Susan Cronshaw, Jess's mother
Call for improved support.
Following Jess's untimely death, her mother, Susan, has been campaigning for greater support and acknowledgement of the seriousness of hyperemesis gravidarum(HG). She feels that the situation would have been different if doctors took Jess's illness seriously and administered proper treatment. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has accepted its failure and confirmed that measures are being implemented to avoid such an incident in the future.
We all miss you every day, Jess and there isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t cherish the precious memories we had the honour of making with you. We hope we are doing you both proud by continuing to pursue much-needed change in the health care system, whilst navigating our grief so no expectant mother suffering with HG experiences what Jess did. We love you both endlessly. 🤍🕊️
The Fundraiser
Jess Cronshaw's case emphasizes the absolute necessity of full care during pregnancy, especially for women with serious illnesses like hyperemesis gravidarum. It emphasizes the need to see the physical and mental health issues during pregnancy and to provide expectant mothers with the proper care and treatment that they deserve.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)
