Exploring the postpartum recovery after hyperemesis gravidarum: A qualitative study

Hyperemesis Gravidarum affects 0.3-3.6% of women during pregnancy and has a significant impact on maternal health. Investigation of both the immediate and longer-term effects remains a high research priority. However, there is limited research on postpartum recovery after hyperemesis gravidarum.

To explore the postpartum recovery experiences of women who had hyperemesis gravidarum.

A large descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to explore the postpartum experiences of women who had hyperemesis gravidarum within the previous 5 years in Ireland. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Forty-one women participated, and four themes were identified: (1) Nutritional and physical recovery of the body, describing challenges to recovery following HG (2); Infant feeding decisions influenced by recovery, highlighting how physical depletion impacted infant feeding choices (3); Recovery overlooked in postpartum care, reflecting limited follow-up and predominantly infant-focused postpartum care and (4); Negotiating social expectations with interpersonal support, showing how social expectations and relationships influenced recovery.

This study showed that recovery after hyperemesis gravidarum is multifaceted, impacted not only by ongoing physical health consequences but also by participant-identified gaps in postpartum care and by varied interpersonal support.

Hyperemesis gravidarum leaves a postpartum legacy. Proactive postpartum follow-up, postpartum guidelines and information resources for women and their families are needed to support recovery after HG.