Worried William: The Duke of Cambridge arrived at the King Edward VII Hospital in central London today at 11:30am to visit his wife Kate for the second time, walking straight into the building without looking round...
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Prince William today arrived back at his pregnant wife Kate's bedside looking hunched and tense as she spent a second day in hospital with acute morning sickness.
The Duke of Cambridge walked straight into King Edward VII Hospital in central London this morning to see the Duchess, without looking round as he entered the building.
Clarence House told MailOnline this morning that Kate is still expected to spend the next few days in hospital, and requires a 'period of rest' to recover from her illness.
Her mother Carole Middleton is also believed to be planning a visit and smiled as she left the family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, earlier today.
Pregnant: The Duchess of Cambridge visited her 'adored' prep school St Andrews last week and even played hockey in high heels despite being pregnant...
The announcement has gained the attention of the world's media, who are stood outside the hospital in anticipation...
Kate's mother and father appeared relaxed and happy today as they drove to and from the family’s £4.85million country mansion.
Her father Michael wore a dark hunting jacket with a light-coloured shirt underneath as he drove onto the estate in his dark Range Rover at around 10.20am, and smiled but made no comment.
Soon after at 10.40am, a smiling Carole Middleton, dressed in a brown jacket and furry scarf, drove away in another dark coloured Range Rover. She also made no comment.
Prince William's visit to the hospital today came less than an hour later at 11:30am, when he arrived in a green Land Rover.
Mr and Mrs Middleton were reportedly 'elated' at news of the pregnancy - and Kate's sister Pippa, who lives not far from the hospital in Fulham, south-west London, is said to be visiting soon.
Expectant mother: Kate (pictured at a reception in London last week), was driven to the hospital yesterday by Prince William, whose look of concern was captured in a mirror as he entered the building today (right)...
Delighted but nervous: Carole (left) and Michael Middleton (right) were this morning pictured separately leaving their home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and are both expected to visit their daughter at the London hospital...
It came after a day of intense joy for the nation, although the excitement was tinged with anxiety.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been hoping to keep the news they were expecting a baby to themselves until Christmas Day.
But with Kate admitted to King Edward VII Hospital yesterday with the illness, they had little choice but to make the announcement.
A Clarence House spokesman said today: ‘The situation is the same as yesterday - we said she would stay in for several days and that is still the case. It’s a period of rest that she needs, so she will stay in for several days.’
He would not comment on Catherine’s condition this morning or confirm whether members of the Royal family are expected to visit today.
Doting husband: Wearing a grey jumper and shirt, the Prince leaves the hospital last night.
A royal source said the couple and their families are concerned about Kate's illness, but have been 'reassured' it is not a dangerous condition for either the the Duchess or her baby.
The couple delighted millions around the world – including their own families – with the happy news.
But as the word spread, the parents-to-be were together in hospital, facing the first hurdle in a much longed for pregnancy.
Kate, 30, who is barely eight weeks pregnant, was taken to the hospital just after lunch by her husband and immediately put on a drip to stop her becoming dehydrated.
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The Duke had been at his wife’s side for most of the day. Royal sources confirmed he would be visiting today.
ACUTE MORNING SICKNESS AFFECTS 2% OF PREGNANT WOMEN
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare condition believed to affect up to two per cent of women in pregnancy and is a severe form of morning sickness.
It tends to be more common in young mothers, women who are in their first pregnancy, and those with multiple pregnancies.
Women with HG often lose weight - usually over 10 per cent of their body weight - and feel tired and dizzy.
They may also find they are passing water less often than usual, and the main risk is dehydration which can lead to headache, palpitations and confusion.
There is also a risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Then symptoms are severe, admission to hospital may be needed for observation and to treat dehydration with intravenous fluids.
This usually only means a few days in hospital.
Unlike most morning sickness, HG usually persists past the first trimester of pregnancy, and typically subsides by week 21 of pregnancy – although it can last much longer.
However, leading doctors say that along with more ordinary morning sickness, it is a sign the pregnancy is progressing.
Dr Peter Bowen-Simpkins, consultant obstetrician and medical director of the London Women’s Clinic, says: ‘It is almost always a positive sign that the pregnancy is progressing well.
‘The sickness is thought to be due to a rise in hormone levels. It normally occurs during weeks six and eight of pregnancy, when the placenta takes over production of hormones from the ovaries.
‘It generally continues until around 12 or 14 weeks, but if it stops before, it can — although not always — be a sign that all is not well.’
Mark Prigg
The sources told MailOnline that the couple initially had ‘no plans whatsoever’ to announce the pregnancy until after she had had her 12-week scan.
They also revealed that the Duke and Duchess had not planned to tell the Royal Family of their news until they were all gathered together at Sandringham at Christmas.
But in view of the Duchess’s hospitalisation the couple made the ‘reluctant and difficult’ decision to publicly confirm their news.
Members of the Royal Family – including the Queen and grandfather-to-be Prince Charles – were informed less than an hour before the statement was put out at 4pm yesterday.
Uncle-to-be Prince Harry, who is serving in Afghanistan, was told by email at his base and the announcement was also Tweeted by Clarence House, prompting the couple’s official website to crash.
All the family declared themselves to be ‘delighted’ at the news.
It is believed that Kate’s parents became aware of their daughter’s news at the weekend, however.
