A 26-year-old pregnant woman, Jess Cronshaw, tragically took her own life after battling severe sickness during her pregnancy. Jess, a primary school teacher, and her partner Eddie were thrilled about the pregnancy, but Jess struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of sickness in pregnancy.

According to Lancs Live, Jess’s battle with hyperemesis gravidarum left her unable to eat or drink, causing her to lose significant weight and appear ‘anorexic’ to her friends. Despite being past the halfway stage of her pregnancy, Jess passed away on November 19, 2022, after being found unresponsive in her bedroom at her mum’s home in Accrington. Her baby girl, Elsie, was delivered by emergency C-section at 12 weeks premature but did not survive.

The recent inquest, concluding on January 30, revealed a series of failings in Jess’s care, which ultimately led to a severe deterioration of her mental health. Although these failings did not directly contribute to her death, they significantly impacted her well-being.

During the inquest, barrister Phil Holden, representing Jess and Elsie’s family, highlighted the deficiencies in Jess’s care, shedding light on the challenges she faced. The inquest brought attention to the need for improved support and care for pregnant women battling severe sickness, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health concerns during pregnancy.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive and supportive care for pregnant women facing challenging health conditions. It also underscores the importance of prioritizing mental health support during pregnancy to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the unborn child.