Powys-raised Sky Sports presenter Michelle Owen has revealed that every day has been a “battle for survival” after sharing the happy news that she is expecting her second baby.
The popular sports commentator and EFL host, who was raised and educated in Newtown, suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes severe vomiting during her pregnancy, including when she expected her son Zac, now four, which she said was “nearly fatal” for them both.
She explained why she hadn’t been seen on television in recent weeks by posting pictures on social media on Wednesday (February 21) of a baby scan and her hand connected to an IV drip.
The former Newtown High School student said: “Life has been turned upside down in the last weeks. We knew the risks of trying for another baby, stupidly optimistic maybe Hyperemesis wouldn’t be as bad this time. Wrong.
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“It’s been so severe even IV drops straight into me wouldn’t stop it. I was being sick every 20 minutes. Steroids finally got it under control, yet they come with so many side effects. By then my body was in meltdown, my blood salts and levels at dangerous levels.
“This has happened repeatedly and is so hard. I’ve spent so much time in hospital not only have I been physically floored, but mentally. I’ve never been so unwell.
“So, this isn’t a normal happy pregnancy announcement, I know we are lucky, but this is a battle for survival every single day. For us both. I miss my life, I miss being a proper mum to Zac, I miss my work.
"I can’t wait to be back at work as soon as I’m able, but this is why I’ve been off. My husband has become my carer literally dressing and washing me I’ve become so weak.
“Somehow baby seems to be doing fine! Thank you for your messages, I really hope to be better very soon and back doing what I love.”
Hyperemesis gravidarum, a rare condition that the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital for treatment when she was expecting her children, affects 3.5 per 1,000 pregnant women and can cause women to vomit blood.
The condition usually passes after the first 16 weeks of pregnancy but may also last longer.
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