A pregnant teacher killed herself after medical care staff ‘contributed to a deterioration in her mental health’ while she suffered from severe morning sickness, a coroner has ruled.
Jessica Cronshaw, 26, was ‘reduced to a shell’ while expecting her first baby when she developed hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
The condition, characterised by debilitating nausea and vomiting, gained prominence in recent years as the Princess of Wales suffered from it during each of her three pregnancies.
Miss Cronshaw was thrilled when she learned in May 2022 that she and her partner Eddie Leck were expecting a child.
But she soon had to step back from her job as a teacher at St Nicholas Primary School in Accrington, Lancashire, and was unable to leave her bed due to her illness.
In September, she was prescribed a medication named Xonvea which meant she was able to eat a little more, though she was still sapped of energy.
Then, on September 30, she received a phone call wrongly telling her she needed to reduce her dose as their was a risk of side effects to her unborn baby.
According to the Mail Online, Miss Cronshaw’s mum Susan described that as ‘a pivotal moment’ which would ‘ultimately lead to the most tragic consequences’.
What is hyperemisis gravidarum?
Around eight in ten pregnant women experience nausea, vomiting or both while they are carrying their baby. This is often known as morning sickness, though it can strike at any time of day.
Some women experience it to a much more serious extent, meaning they may be sick many times a day and unable to keep food or drink down.
Known as hyperemisis gravidarum (HG), this is much rarer – affecting between one to three pregnant women in every 100.
While it’s not known exactly what causes it, there is evidence it’s linked to changing hormones in the body during pregnancy.
Aside from nausea, signs and symptoms can include dehydration and weight loss.
Unlike typical pregnancy sickness, which tends to get better by 16 to 20 weeks, HG sometimes doesn’t clear up completely until the baby is born.
Anyone suffering from the condition is urged to visit their GP or midwife.
More information is available on the NHS website.
Her daughter’s condition deteriorated when the dose was cut, and on November 14 she found her hanged at the family’s Accrington home.
Miss Cronshaw, who was 28 weeks pregnant, was given CPR and taken to hospital where her daughter Elsie was delivered by emergency caesarean section.
However, the baby died four days later at her mother’s side in the intensive care unit, and the following day the devastated family decided to withdraw life support for Miss Cronshaw.
Coroner Kate Bisset said today she was ‘satisfied that her care contributed to a deterioration in her mental health’ which then led to the ‘impulsive’ decision to take her own life.
Since then, her family and friends have dedicated themselves to campaigning to raise awareness of HG and to call for greater mental health support for pregnant women.
An online fundraiser for charity Pregnancy Sickness Support which was set up in their memory has raised almost £50,000.
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org between the hours of 9am and midnight.
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