Jackie Hyland: Severe morning sickness? Been there

The royals are having another baby! Brillant news!

As a bit of a royal watcher myself, I was delighted when I heard their baby news. But I immediately felt sorry for Kate Middleton when I learned that the Duchess is suffering from severe morning sickness or Hyperemesis Gravidarum for the second time.

I know a lot about what she is going through. I too was diagnosed with Hyperemesis twice. Let me tell you, it is absolutely awful.

The first time it happened was about 16 year ago. I was pregnant for the first time. It hit me hard and nothing can prepare you for it. I remember that I was exhausted beyond belief at first and then the nausea started.

This was unlike any nausea I had ever experienced before. It was all consuming and lasted all day and all night. Everything I tried to eat would come back up almost immediately. It got so bad for me that I could not watch television. Even the sight of food would start the heaving and vomiting. I couldn't even drink water.

My poor husband tried every remedy known to cure morning sickness .... from boiling ginger to ginger ale and Saltines. To this day, I really disilke both ginger ale and Saltines.

It got so bad that I wound up in the hospital, as I was extremely dehydrated. My OB/GYN was not really concerned about the baby I found out. She said we know your hormones are working! So I spent some time in the hospital getting re-hydrated.

I was brave enough to get pregnant a second time, and it happened again. This time, the doctors set me up with an at-home IV and a nurse would come to my house every other day to change the IV.

By now, I had a three-year-old, so I couldn't just lie in bed. I remember one time retching in the bathroom sink and my little girl happened to wander in at that very moment. There wasn't much I could do. I will never forget her asking me ... "Mommy, are you going to throw up the baby?"

So Kate Middleton, my heart truly goes out to you during this trying time. I am sure you are being very well looked after. Still it is a rough few weeks, but it will pass!