This blog is written by Emma Michelsen, co-founder of Aggie, who develop science-led supplements to support women through pregnancy. Emma has been a Hyperemesis Gravidarum sufferer with lived experience of successfully breastfeeding after being left depleted post-pregnancy.
This is not medical advice, and we always recommend discussing any concerns you have with your GP, midwife or LMC team.
If you've spent most of your pregnancy sick, this moment probably feels complicated. You're almost there. And if you're hoping to breastfeed, but your body feels tired in a way that is hard to explain, it’s normal to question whether you have enough left. This post is for you. It’s not a to-do list, we know there is already so much overwhelm filling up your mind right now, it’s more of an open conversation and a gentle reminder that you are doing great.
What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum and what does it actually do to your body
Hyperemesis Gravidarum isn't just bad morning sickness. For the people who experience it, it's months of severe vomiting, significant weight loss, dehydration, and nutritional depletion that can last well into the third trimester. The isolation of it, and the feeling of not being taken seriously, adds another layer entirely.
If you want to understand more about what's actually happening in your body during HG, and why it hits so hard, the team at Aggie have written something really useful: Navigating Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Understanding, Coping, and Finding Support. There's also a fascinating piece on the science behind why HG happens at all: GDF15: The Breakthrough Behind Morning Sickness.
The short version: your body has been working incredibly hard under incredibly difficult conditions. You're not starting this next chapter from a place of rest. You're starting it from wherever you landed, likely exhausted, depleted and for a lot of women, suffering from self-doubt.
Can you still breastfeed after HG?
Most people who have HG do go on to breastfeed. The body's ability to make milk is more resilient than people often expect, and HG doesn't directly damage the glands or tissue involved in milk production.
There are a few things worth knowing going in.
Prolonged vomiting and poor nutrition can affect some of the nutrient stores your body draws on in early lactation, particularly iodine, vitamin D, and B vitamins. This doesn't mean breastfeeding won't work, it just means that topping those stores up in the final weeks, even a little, gives you a better start.
Hydration matters more than most people realise. Breast milk is mostly water. If dehydration has been part of your pregnancy, getting on top of fluids before birth is one of the most direct things you can do for your supply.
Fatigue is a genuine factor too. Breastfeeding is physically demanding at the best of times. Coming into it after a hard pregnancy means your reserves are lower, and that's worth building your support around. Labour and the newborn stage is most likely going to impact exhaustion significantly, and you want to make sure you’ve rested as best as you can coming into this stage. Go easy on yourself, though. You’ve had a lot on your plate.
If you're still on antiemetic medication, it's worth having a conversation with your midwife or LMC before birth about whether anything needs adjusting once baby arrives. Most commonly used medications are compatible with breastfeeding, but it's worth checking for your specific situation.
What can help in the lead-up to birth
None of this requires a perfect pregnancy. These are small, practical things for a body that's already done a lot.
Drink little and often. Small sips throughout the day are easier to tolerate than large amounts, and more effective for hydration. If plain water still triggers nausea, which it does for many people with HG even late in pregnancy, electrolytes can make a real difference. Morning Relief by Aggie is available at BreastFriend and was made specifically for pregnancy nausea and vomiting. It has clinically studied ginger and electrolytes to help with hydration when drinking is still a battle.
Eat what your body will take, without the guilt. If you're still eating crackers and plain rice, that's fine. Getting anything in is what matters right now. When you do have a window where food feels more possible, protein and complex carbohydrates are worth prioritising as they support the hormonal balance that plays into milk production.
Have another look at your supplements. Folate, iodine, vitamin D, and B12 all matter for postpartum recovery and milk production. If you've struggled to keep tablets down throughout your pregnancy, ask your midwife or pharmacist about liquid or chewable alternatives. Even partial supplementation in the final weeks is better than none.
Be honest with your care team about wanting to breastfeed. Your LMC can only support your goals if they know what they are. Let them know breastfeeding matters to you, so they can flag any medications that may need reviewing, connect you with a lactation consultant before baby arrives, and help you plan realistically for the early days.
Ask your midwife about antenatal colostrum harvesting. Some people hand-express and collect small amounts of colostrum before birth. Ask your midwife when it would be a safe time for you to consider this. Having a little reserve can take the edge off the pressure in those first days, particularly if you're exhausted or baby takes time to latch. It's not for everyone and it's not recommended if you have a history of preterm labour or cervical concerns so please check with your midwife first.
Rest is not laziness. At the end of a pregnancy like this, it’s ok to slow things down. Your hormones, your nervous system, your body will benefit from rest. A well-rested mum going into labour and the newborn days serves your baby far more than a ticked-off to-do list.
What if breastfeeding doesn't work out?
Fed is always best.
Some people come through HG and breastfeed without much trouble. Some find it harder than they expected. Some can't, for reasons that have nothing to do with how much they wanted it, or due to factors in their pregnancy. And some choose not to breastfeed at all, because they know their body and their limits, and that's a completely valid decision.
How you feed your baby is not a measure of your love or your effort. You grew this baby through months of being seriously unwell. That's already extraordinary.
If breastfeeding is something you want to try and it gets difficult, get support early rather than struggling quietly. A good lactation consultant can make a real difference in those early days. And if you end up expressing, a hands-free wearable pump like The Breasties can genuinely help when you're already stretched thin.
Going in with realistic expectations
The first few weeks after birth are intense for any new mum. After HG, they might be harder than you expected, and it's worth being gentle with yourself about that.
Ask for help before you need it. Be honest with the people around you about how depleted you are. You've already done something really hard. What comes next is hard too, but you're not doing it from nothing. You're doing it from everything you've already proved you can handle.
Where to find support
For morning sickness and HG:
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Hyperemesis Support NZ Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/885735235288936
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Healthline (free, 24/7): 0800 611 116
For breastfeeding support:
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Your LMC or midwife
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please talk to your midwife, LMC, or GP for guidance specific to your pregnancy and postpartum experience.
References: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2015). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 153: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 126(3), e12–e24.
