Move over Princess Catherine, Bayside's own Emily Pickford is giving a royal performance navigating her second trimester of pregnancy while battling hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition characterised by extreme morning sickness.
Well publicised as the condition suffered by Princess Catherine during one of her pregnancies, Emily said it had resulted in many trips to the Emergency department.
“It was a really hard decision for us to go back and have a second child," Emily said. "The only thing that helped was knowing I could fight for my own healthcare and manage it better than the first time."
This time, her condition is being managed more effectively through the Transit Lounge at Redland Hospital.
“I want other mums-to-be to know about the condition and get the help they need,” she said.
HG is more than morning sickness with common symptoms including losing up to five per cent of pre-pregnancy body weight, severe nausea and vomiting multiple times a day.
The team at the Transit Lounge said they couldn't wait to meet Emily's baby in November.
“I’m here three times a week,” Emily said. "The nurses here are amazing. "I see how busy they are, but they always take the time to support me."
Despite the challenges, her sense of humour remains intact.
"The only thing I’ve been able to stomach is potato gems, so I probably won’t touch them again for a long time after this pregnancy.
"I’m really lucky because my home is literally five minutes away, which makes it easier to manage with a toddler at home," she said. "Knowing the hospital is there to support you, beyond the Emergency Department, is really reassuring," she said.
“I even had some visits from Hospital in the Home early in my pregnancy to receive fluids so without that help, I don’t know how I would have managed.”