This confronting image shows the medication one Australian mum used to help ‘survive’ severe morning sickness during her twin pregnancy.

It’s prompted an online petition, calling for medications to be listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Mum of three Caitlin Boyes shared the photo of her twins, Alexandra and Owen, surrounded by a huge amount of medication, to bring awareness to the issue.

“Despite the recommendation to avoid all medication apart from the occasional Panadol during pregnancy, for myself and other HG sufferers multiple medications are required for us, and our baking babies, to survive this horrific pregnancy condition,” Caitlin explains.

She continued, “Last pregnancy with Izzy I tried multiple other medications and alternative morning sickness remedies including acupuncture, osteopath, herbal tonics etc but this time I didn’t bother with anything that didn’t help last time.

Here is a snapshot of the medications I was on for the HG symptoms of nausea, vomiting, heartburn, insomnia, anxiety/ depression, headaches/ migraines.

Nothing helped a great deal but they did seem to take the edge off some of the symptoms and limit my admissions to hospital and keep me and the twins progressing through the pregnancy.

I was still unable to work, mother or do basic tasks for 7 months. I am so glad my HG journey is over and so sorry to anyone else that has to go through it!”

Caitlin adds, “Some of these medications including ondansetron aren’t on the PBS for HG and are expensive and sometimes unaffordable for HG sufferers. Please help by signing the petition to get ondansetron on the PBS for HG.”

Despite the recommendation to avoid all medication apart from the occasional panadol during pregnancy for myself and other HG sufferers multiple medications are required for us and our baking babies to survive this horrific pregnancy condition. Last pregnancy with Izzy I tried multiple other medications and alternative morning sickness remedies including acupuncture, osteopath, herbal tonics etc but this time I didn’t bother with anything that didn’t help last time. Here is a snapshot of the medications I was on for the HG symptoms of nausea, vomiting, heartburn, insomnia, anxiety/ depression, headaches/ migraines. Nothing helped a great deal but they did seem to take the edge off some of the symptoms and limit my admissions to hospital and keep me and the twins progressing through the pregnancy. I was still unable to work, mother or do basic tasks for 7 months. I am so glad my HG journey is over and so sorry to anyone else that has to go through it! Some of these medications including ondansetron aren’t on the PBS for HG and are expensive and sometimes unaffordable for HG sufferers. Please help by signing the petition to get ondansetron on the PBS for HG. Link in my bio. https://www.change.org/p/australian-government-department-of-health-petition-the-aust-govt-to-put-ondansetron-on-the-pbs-for-women-with-hyperemesis-gravidarum?recruiter=460847326&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg

A post shared by Caito (@caitos_clan) on Oct 12, 2017 at 12:57am PDT

In an online petition one mum shared, “During pregnancy women who suffer from Hyperemesis Gravidarum require medication that is very expensive.

One of these medications Ondansetron is on the PBS but only for those who are going through Chemotherapy.

I would like to see it added for women who suffer Hyperemesis Gravidarum during pregnancy too.

I experienced 2 HG pregnancies. Both of which I had to take Ondansetron throughout the entire 40 weeks.

Ondansetron comes in packets of 10 for $30+. I was taking three tablets a day. For someone who was unable to work due to the HG even whilst medicated this was an exorbitant amount of money that I just did not have.

We relied on family to purchase medication for me many weeks. Medication without I would have been permanently hospitalised due to the inability to eat or drink. The dehydration and malnourishment very nearly killed me.

No one should not be able to take medication that is required to keep them alive because of the price.”

Earlier this week we shared that a recent study has discovered how women suffering from severe morning sickness (hyperemesis) suffer up to six months after giving birth. read more here

To sign the petition and offer your support head to Change.org.

Have you struggled to afford medications to help you survive through severe morning sickness?

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