Postpartum Recovery

Thyroid changes are very common during pregnancy and postpartum. Women with HG often have thyroid disease or genetic thyroid abnormalities that may contribute to the severity of HG. She may need to be evaluated by an endocrinologist (a doctor specializing in care of glands such as the thyroid), especially if she has tested abnormally for thyroid levels in the past or during pregnancy. Interpreting results during pregnancy can be difficult. Mothers treated for thyroid disease/dysfunction during pregnancy, should notify their pediatricians. Some infants born to moms with thyroid disease have imbalances as well.

Women with untreated thyroid disease may be at greater risk for depression after delivery. Testing is done by a simple blood test and should be considered for women who have HG and postpartum depression.

For most with HG that lasts until delivery, you can eat some food intermittently. However, for a few, severely restricted food for more than a few weeks late in pregnancy puts you at risk for refeeding syndrome which can have disastrous consequences on the mother including cardiac issues. Medical monitoring and possible hospital care may are required for refeeding syndrome. See our Malnutrition section for more information. 

Essential information:

Risks of refeeding occur if

• You have significant, ongoing weight loss or severely restricted eating in late pregnancy or near delivery, and
• You eat significantly higher volumes of food (calories) suddenly.

This can cause a shift in your body where you suddenly retain fluids and have rapid electrolyte shifts. This is dangerous. Gradual introduction of food and lab monitoring may be needed for those at risk of refeeding syndrome.

Many children born to HG mothers have reflux or severe colic, and are notoriously fussy, poor sleepers, and may have sensory processing issues. Thus, they make recovery more challenging. Extra support and rest are crucial for the new mother.

Breastfeeding mothers will need a very healthy diet that is nutrient dense, with high quality multi-vitamin supplements, including additional B vitamins (especially thiamin/B1) and fatty acids to restore deficiencies which may adversely impact her and her baby.

Nutrition is extremely important postpartum to correct months of deficiencies due to food aversions and nausea/vomiting. This is especially true if the mother is breastfeeding because her deficiencies can affect the child’s health. If a mother is eating extra calories and nutrient dense foods, she should not be adversely impacted by breastfeeding.

A healthy diet rich in unprocessed foods is important, along with additional support from high quality prenatals or multivitamins. Postpartum, women will need to replenish nutrient stores by eating a whole foods diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates (e.g. brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes), quality proteins (e.g. grass-fed beef, antibiotic-free chicken), fruits, and vegetables. This is especially true if breastfeeding and/or hyperemesis was severe/prolonged.

• Calcium from enriched whole milk products (or non-dairy sources), leafy green veggies, broccoli, nuts, quinoa, etc. is important to rebuild lost bone and tooth density.
• Smoothies with whole fruit, added fatty acids, superfoods, and protein powder or nuts can provide extra nutrients for breastfeeding.
• Quality prenatal vitamins and extra minerals, plus B complex vitamins are very important to restore deficiencies.
• Fermented foods or probiotics are especially helpful for the immune and gastrointestinal system during recovery and until the infant is weaned.

The baby will benefit greatly from breastfeeding and your high quality diet as he/she is likely to have some nutritional imbalances due to HG.

Offsite Info: What to Expect: Postpartum Nutrition