“People are in distress; we’re losing infants and mothers—this is a grave issue that demands our serious attention.”

Clare Hughes, a photographer who experienced hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) during her pregnancy in 2017, spoke at the launch of her exhibition, Hidden Mothers, showcasing portraits of expectant women.

It is estimated that between one and three out of every 100 pregnancies are impacted by HG, which can lead to severe nausea, jeopardize fetal health, and necessitate hospitalization for intravenous fluids to combat dehydration.

“I aimed to channel my creativity and photography to process what I endured during my pregnancy,” Ms. Hughes explains.

“I struggled to find adequate information,” she remarked about the condition, which can cause some mothers to experience vomiting up to 50 times a day throughout their pregnancies.

“The project has been profoundly cathartic—I’ve connected with numerous women who have shared similar experiences and truly understand my journey, which has benefited me greatly.”

Inspired by Victorian imagery, the exhibition at the Science Gallery, part of King’s College London, attracted hundreds of women eager to participate.

“This is referred to as hidden mother photography, a Victorian technique used to ensure a focused photograph of an infant.

“A mother would disguise herself as furniture to secure the baby in place, allowing for a sharp image of the child, but the result often looks quite eerie and spectral.”

She continued: “The concept of the hidden mother has become a powerful metaphor for how I felt as someone suffering from HG and reflects what many other women have experienced.

“We were essentially confined to dark rooms, isolated from medical professionals, with our symptoms being overlooked.

“To witness all these stories being shared, to see us emerging from the shadows and finally being recognized, is incredibly moving, touching, and a true honor.”