. You made your way through the pregnancy, perhaps breezed through childbirth (or not), and now you’re back home and enjoying your time with Baby. While it’s important to stay focused on caring for your little one, it’s equally important to keep an eye on yourself and watch for postpartum complications. Many new moms aren’t aware of the health problems, some life-threatening, that can happen in the weeks and months following birth. So, here are some warning signs and symptoms to be alert for.
- Postpartum Hemorrhage. (Warning signs: If you notice an increase in heavy bleeding and are soaking several pads per hour after giving birth, you will want to seek medical help right away.) Although postpartum hemorrhage is one of the most common complications that puts moms at risk in the days and weeks after childbirth, it’s still pretty rare (affecting less than 5 percent of women who give birth). It typically occurs immediately after delivery but can occur up to about a month postpartum. Those at elevated risk for hemorrhaging are women who have c-sections, vacuum or forceps-assisted deliveries or a twin or multiple pregnancy, or suffer obesity or blood pressure disorders. If left untreated, the condition is life-threatening.
- Retained Placenta. (Warning Signs: Fever, bleeding, excessive bleeding and clots.) Part of the placenta, which is usually delivered shortly after your baby is born, remains inside the uterus after delivery. This happens when the uterus didn’t contract enough to push the placenta from the womb, or when the cervix closes before all the placenta is expelled. Sometimes, though, the placenta is unable to detach naturally from the uterus and will need manual removal. Symptoms of a retained placenta tend to show themselves as early as 24 hours after delivery and as late as 10 or more days after giving birth.
- Postpartum Sepsis. (Warning Signs: Fever above 100.4 degrees, chills, dizziness and exhaustion.) Sepsis is an advanced, life-threatening stage of infection in which the body begins to shut down. Yes, it’s scary, and it can be caused by numerous postpartum infections, such as urinary tract, bladder, breast, blood, and even uterine infections. If any of these are left untreated or are unresponsive to antibiotics, they can be the precursors to sepsis.
- Epidural Headache. (Warning Signs: Severe headache, much like a migraine, that gets worse when sitting or standing but gets better when lying down.) It’s not uncommon to get headaches postpartum. After all, you’re a new mom and you’re sleep-deprived. However, pay attention to a severe headache that comes with neck pain, nausea, and a sensitivity to bright lights, especially if it goes away when you lie down. It’s quite likely this is an epidural headache (also called a post-dural puncture headache). About one in 100 women who undergo epidurals get them. The cause is a puncture to the membrane that contains the cerebrospinal fluid, which encases the spinal cord and brain. When the puncture leaks, it creates a pressure imbalance in the fluid, which results in a really bad headache. While they typically develop before women leave the hospital, they can sometimes take up to two or three days to fully develop. If you have symptoms similar to these, go back to the hospital to have it checked out. The most common fix is having an anesthetist inject some of your own blood into the spinal fluid to increase pressure, which creates a clot that will stop the leaks. Relief is immediate.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism. (Warning Signs: Red or swollen calf, shortness of breath, chest pain, increased heart rate, pain with breathing.) One of the biggest threats to women during and up to six weeks after pregnancy is blood clots in the circulatory system due to increased estrogen and other blood-clotting proteins. Women who are over 35, who smoke, have diabetes, are on bed rest, recovering from c-sections, or who suffer from obesity are at higher risks of developing clots. Symptoms can be subtle. Although all pregnant women swell, what you want to watch out for is swelling on one leg more than the other. One leg may even be red and hot to the touch. You may also feel shortness of breath—much like a severe anxiety attack. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. Once detected, clots can be treated with blood thinners. Untreated, clots can move through the circulatory system and reach the lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening.
- Gall Stones and Gallbladder Disease. (Warning Signs: Severe heart attack-like pain in the right upper rib cage or chest, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting.) Rarely are pregnant women told that gallbladder issues can accompany pregnancy. However, issues with the gall system can accompany or follow childbirth. If gallstones develop, they can be removed, as can the entire gallbladder. However, if untreated, gallbladder issues can cause rupture or result in infection.
Gina Klein resides in Kansas City with her husband, two daughters and houseful of rescued pets.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.