Pregnant woman took own life after struggling with 'extreme morning sickness'

29 January 2024 , 19:01

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Jessica Cronshaw was 28 weeks pregnant with her daughter when they both died (Image: Justgiving)

A pregnant woman and her tiny daughter died after she struggled with extreme morning sickness, an inquest has heard.

Primary school teacher Jess Cronshaw and her partner Eddie discovered she was expecting in May 2022, but within weeks the 26-year-old began to suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum, excessive nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. She spoke to her GP on several occasions during the first few months of her pregnancy and was prescribed anti-sickness medication and told it would resolve itself, an inquest heard.

She was warned the medication could harm the unborn child but started to deteriorate, as her family described her as “quiet, weak” and an “introverted person who looked anorexic", LancsLive reported. On November 14, 2022, after a shopping trip with her mum Sue to buy things for her baby in Blackburn, Jess returned to her mum's home in Accrington.

She began to voice paranoid thoughts about workmen, who were installing fibre optic cables outside, and believed they were hacking her mobile phone. At around 7pm Sue noticed Jess had left the lounge and went upstairs to find her. She found her daughter unresponsive. Jess was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where Elsie was delivered via emergency Caesarean to try and save her life. Four days later, Elsie's tiny body was placed next to Jess as she passed away, while Jess died the following day having suffered brain damage due to a lack of oxygen.

Jessica battled an extreme form of sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum. (Justgiving)

Jessica died the day after her baby daughter (Lancs Live/MEN Media)

In a statement, Sue told proceedings today at Accrington Town Hall: "Jess would have been the most amazing mum to Elsie. I will never be able to watch my granddaughter grow up; I am broken by this. My heart has been ripped out and each day is a struggle and soul-destroying. Jess became a shell of a person who struggled to lift her head off the pillow at times.

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Sue was critical of the medical care Jess received, from both her GP and midwives. She added: “I will never be whole again.” Jess's partner Eddie, who was beside Jess when her life support machine was switched off, recalled she hadn't had "the strength to get out of bed" due to her constant nausea. He added when she had been told the anti-sickness medication could harm Elsie it "really upset Jess as she wouldn't do anything to harm the baby". The inquest continues.

If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.

Amy Fenton