Channel 7 sports presenter Abbey Gelmi has shared confronting details of her second pregnancy with three-time Richmond AFL premiership player Kane Lambert.
The popular media figure has been battling a “debilitating” case of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a severe condition that refers to intractable vomiting during pregnancy leading to weight loss, during her first trimester.
Gelmi’s Friday night reveal explained why she has been absent from duties with Seven and iHeart Radio over the past few weeks.
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“Baby Lambert 2.0 coming ‘24,” Gelmi said on Friday.
She took the opportunity to reach out to other women who have experienced or are currently suffering from the same condition.
“Pregnancy is such a sensitive subject and my thoughts are with those struggling, however, I wanted to share our experience with Hyperemesis in the hope that those who endure it know they’re not alone,” Gelmi went on.
“While we’re so grateful to be adding to our family, HG has been debilitating.
“I’ve been in hospital three days a week for most of the first trimester, unable to keep anything down or leave bed with relentless nausea. I’d get dizzy when I stood, couldn’t care for (first-born) Louis and my mental health took a dive.
“It can be terribly isolating, but there is help available and @hyperemesisaustralia is a great place to start. The stories of others like @emmavosti and @emmahawkins_ really helped me, and I hope I can do the same by sharing more when the time is right.
“We’re so grateful to our people, especially my mum who has been Herculean. I’ve received wonderful care from our OB and the nurses at @frances_perry_house where I’ve become part of the furniture.
“Work have been so accommodating, I can’t thank Seven and iHeart enough for the grace and time to recover.”
The soon-to-be mother-of-two said she is not out of the woods yet but has improved significantly.
“It’s a relief to be at the stage where we can share why I’ve been absent from commitments that mean a lot to me,” Gelmi said.
“While I’m still unwell, I’m coming out of the fog and slowly returning to regular programming, but most importantly being a mum.
“Two under two, we’re going to be busy @kanelambert x.”
Lambert and Gelmi welcomed their first child a little more than a year ago when Louis was born in March 2023.
It was a big year for the couple, who announced their engagement later in September, just ahead of the AFL Brownlow Medal.
Gelmi, who was among Channel 7’s presenters for the AFL’s night of nights, posted a picture of her outfit on social media.
She posted five photos of herself, with the fourth and fifth revealing a brand-new engagement ring on her left hand.
Friends and fans were quick to spot the details and make comments.
“Just waiting for everyone to notice the ring,” Tayla Broad, wife of Richmond player Nathan Broad, wrote.