From the Foreword (Jeffrey W. Wall MD, FACOG)
Ashli McCall has a terrible story to tell. It is a story of suffering, hopelessness and anguish, a story that brings us to the edge of human endurance and to the decision that no new mother-to-be expects to face. Unfortunately, it is not her story alone but the story of countless women worldwide. Hyperemesis gravidarum takes its terrible toll every day. As a disease it is under-studied, poorly understood, and fraught with the myths of years of misinformation and misunderstanding from the medical profession. We as doctors teach it to our students poorly and have handed down years of tradition founded on suspect science and bad medicine. We tell our patients to just "get over it;" we tell them it's all in their head. We are trained to make our patients better but in reality are poorly armed to do so. In our frustration it becomes easy to blame the patient. I know. I've done it.
This book is a step in the direction of understanding a horrible condition. The first time I read it I was astonished at the depth of information it contained. It is extremely well researched, and the clear, concise writing provides a firm basis of understanding for those wanting, needing to learn more about this condition. But this book is more than just a collection of medical facts. Those who read it will gain real insights into the human suffering that women with hyperemesis endure. Readers will also find hope and wisdom for those experiencing the condition and understanding for those who live with and love them.