Cynthia Parisi found strength and support through compassionate, coordinated care as she battled hyperemesis gravidarum
 

When Cynthia Parisi became pregnant with her second child, she didn’t expect her experience to be so physically and emotionally overwhelming. 

She was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe and debilitating form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that left her unable to eat or drink.  

“I was really ill – vomiting, not being able to eat,” Mrs Parisi said.  

“At that point, my parents obviously saw how ill I was physically and told me, ‘You need to go to ED.’” 

Through RPA Virtual Hospital’s Midwifery Care and Sydney Local Health District’s Hospital in the Home service, Cynthia received coordinated care that helped her manage her condition and avoid repeated visits to the emergency department and unnecessary hospitalisations. 

“With Hospital in the Home our team of nurses and doctors are able to give care to patients both at home and in the clinic, avoid Emergency and link them to a dietician and psychological services through telehealth,” Ann-Marie Crozier, the Medical Director for Hospital in the Home explains. 

For Mrs Parisi, the condition had a deep personal impact. 

“The toll that it took on my life the second time I had hyperemesis was extreme. I essentially had to write off a lot of time with my then toddler, which was emotionally hard.” 

Thanks to improved service pathways, women like Cynthia now have access to telehealth consultations, mental health support, educational resources and remote symptom monitoring. 

“All this wonderful care and the team behind me cheering me on - you’re going to do this, you’re getting through it every day,” Mrs Parisi said.  

“After I gave birth, I still felt like I had that team behind me saying, you did it! You’re here now.”