Kate Feels Better, but Faces Tough Pregnancy

Britain is fully in the grip of royal-baby fever these days, and mom-to-be Kate Middleton is getting better—but her acute morning sickness will likely spell a difficult pregnancy, the Daily Mail reports. Prince William spent hours at her bedside and left her London hospital with a relieved smile today, saying Kate is "continuing to feel better." Sources tell the Mail that the 30-year-old Duchess of Cambridge, now 12 weeks pregnant, is responding well to treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum. But the rare illness can lead to months of brutal nausea, the Mail reports.

Past sufferers say they couldn't eat or drink without throwing up, lost up to 10% of body weight, and vomited as many as 30 times a day. "I had it, it is utterly grim," says British TV personality Kirstie Allsopp. "On the upside if she has it it will raise awareness." Hospitalization should help Kate restore fluids and avoid severe dehydration, but she still faces the risk of an underweight baby and may think twice about having another, because the ordeal will probably recur. But maybe one pregnancy is enough: She could be having twins. (More Kate Middleton stories.)