Written by Charlotte Howden · Reviewed by HG Clinicians Expert Panel · Last reviewed: July 2026
Recovery & Postpartum
HG usually starts easing once your baby is born, but recovery isn't always instant, and it isn't only physical. This page covers what to expect afterwards, and what's worth thinking about if you're considering another pregnancy.
Physical recovery
Most people's symptoms improve after birth. If you've lost significant weight or gone a long time without proper nutrition, your body may take a while to fully recover — this is normal, and worth mentioning to your midwife or GP at your postnatal check rather than assuming it will sort itself out.
Emotional recovery
The emotional impact of HG doesn't necessarily end when the pregnancy does. Some people find they're left feeling shaken by the experience well into the postpartum period — this is a recognised pattern, not a sign that something is wrong with you for still feeling affected by it. If this is you, it's worth raising directly with your GP, health visitor, or midwife, rather than assuming it will pass on its own.
Thinking about another pregnancy
If you're considering having another baby, it's worth knowing that HG has a genuinely high chance of recurring — most people who've had it once will have it again to some degree. That's not meant to discourage you, but it's useful to know so you can plan ahead rather than be caught off guard: talking to your GP or midwife before you conceive again, if that's possible, can mean support and a treatment plan are in place from the very start, rather than starting from scratch once symptoms return.
Right now, this kind of pre-pregnancy planning conversation isn't offered consistently— a recent UK survey of maternity units found only a small minority currently offer this kind of counselling to people with a history of severe HG. If you're not offered it, you can ask for it directly.
Family planning conversations
Contraception and future family planning are a normal part of postnatal follow-up conversations generally, and can be a useful moment to flag your HG history if you haven't already, so it's recorded for any future pregnancy.