When does HG end?

When does HG end? This is another one of those curly questions we get asked that just break our hearts. We don’t like having to say we don’t know, because we understand how completely demoralising that is. But the truth is, we just don’t know. For some women, it will end after the first trimester, while others won’t feel better until they have delivered or even for a few hours after. The only good news is that it DOES end - and you will feel better, and more like your old self again one day. 

If you suffer symptoms right through to the end of your pregnancy, or well into the third trimester, it’s really important that you take care of yourself in the days and weeks after you deliver. Pregnancy, labour and birth are one of the hardest things the human body can experience. Adding the difficulties that arise from NVP and HG and your body is going to suffer. Remember that it takes nine months to make a baby, and so it will take at least that long to recover from it. We know that it’s easier said than done, but it’s important to remember to nurture yourself during the postpartum period. Continue to rely on the people around you, work with your doctor on a plan for regaining your health, and give yourself permission to rest whenever possible.

There are a few key areas to keep an eye on during the postpartum period: 

1. Depletion

Any normal pregnancy can leave you depleted in important stores of vitamins and nutrients. The baby literally sucks these out of you! While pregnant, women are naturally resupplying their bodies with the vitamins and nutrients the baby is drawing from - but this is near impossible when you cannot eat and drink normally. So, we need to focus on building up these stores once baby is here and you can start a normal(ish) diet again. 

The big ones to look out for are iron, B vitamins, folic acid, zinc, copper and magnesium. Your doctor will be able to conduct tests to monitor your levels and suggest ways to rebuild your stores. We also recommend taking a prenatal or multivitamin, especially if you’re breastfeeding, to help boost your stores of these essential nutrients.

2. Diet

Some women who have lived with NVP or HG find that they get their appetites back as soon as they’ve delivered their baby and placenta. Others find that it takes a few weeks or months to regain normal eating patterns. Whatever your reality it’s important to remember that you can only do what works for you - and if that means sticking to a strict diet or only a select number of foods (even if they’re not the healthiest) that’s totally okay.

We recommend working with a trusted doctor to develop a meal plan that will both support your postpartum recovery and not trigger any aversions you may be experiencing. They may suggest finding a dietician or nutritionist - at HGA we have a list of these kinds of experts who are HG friendly. Please get in touch if you’d like a recommendation for a local specialist.

3. Continuing symptoms

Unfortunately, some women find that their symptoms persist after birth for weeks or months at a time. While this is rare, it is important to work with your doctor to rule out any serious causes beyond lingering symptoms of NVP or HG. Once again, remember to be kind to your body and give yourself plenty of time to recover. You may need a few months to really feel like yourself again and that’s okay.

4. Physical fitness

We encourage you to ignore the damaging messaging about ‘bouncing back after baby’ which may guilt you into rushing to the gym as soon as possible after birth. Your body has been through a profoundly intense experience and taking things slow and steady is the best way forward. Women with NVP and HG may be bed-bound for weeks at a time, resulting in wasting of the muscles and lack of strength and tone. Work with a women’s physio or your GP to devise an exercise plan that takes this into account allowing you to safely work towards your fitness goals. 

5. Mental Health

There is no denying that living with NVP or HG for any amount of time has a profound impact on your mental health. If you were receiving professional support for your mental health while you were pregnant, it may be beneficial to continue this postpartum. Research shows that women who have complicated pregnancies, like those affected by NVP and HG, are more likely to develop postpartum depression and/or anxiety. It’s important to stay on top of your mental health postpartum and seek help if you feel yourself struggling. We have a list of organisations the specialise in postnatal mental health here that we recommend you look at.