A MUM has sympathised with the Duchess of Cambridge after suffering with debilitating morning sickness throughout her entire pregnancy.

Michelle Wootton, 34, was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum 12 weeks into her pregnancy with daughter Lucy, now seven.

Prince William and Kate were forced to announce her pregnancy on Monday after she was admitted to King Edward VII hospital in central London with the same condition.

Mrs Wootton said: “I found out I was pregnant in October 2004 and by the beginning of November I couldn’t stop being sick.

“I thought it was the onslaught of morning sickness but it went on constantly for weeks before I saw my GP.

“He told me it was just morning sickness and it would go by 12 weeks but that came and went.

“I saw a different doctor and was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum.”

Mrs Wootton, who lives in Great Blakenham, was given anti-sickness medication to help combat her symptoms.

She said her sickness was brought on by the smell of food and cleaning products.

“The medicine helped but it didn’t cure anything,” she added. “I was forced to cut my hours at work to part-time because I couldn’t cope and had to take maternity leave four months early.”

Mrs Wootton, whose husband Rob, 43, works abroad, said the condition was debilitating and put her off having more children.

She said: “The hardest part was not feeling blooming like everyone said I would.

“I couldn’t imagine having a baby because I was so ill. It felt like it was never going to end.

“I lost all the excitement of going to buy the pram, clothes and the cot.

“I can totally understand what Kate must be going through and how she must be feeling.

“Thankfully the attitude has changed now and Kate’s illness is raising awareness of the condition.”

During her pregnancy, Mrs Wootton lost three stone in weight and six teeth through constant sickness.

“I didn’t even have a bump until the last few weeks,” she added.

“I had endless trips to hospital, although I didn’t have to stay in, I regularly passed out and had dizzy spells because of a lack of energy and nutrition.”

Doctors decided it was best for Mrs Wootton’s health to deliver Lucy by Caesarean on May 27, 2005.

“As soon as Lucy arrived the sickness disappeared and I was overwhelmed with happiness,” she said.

The Duchess of Cambridge spent three nights in hospital receiving treatment before being discharged yesterday to recuperate at Kensingston Palace with her husband.

Did you suffer with hyperemesis gravidarum? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk