For a smaller number of us, this beautiful experience is followed by one of the scariest in our lives. And for some, who chalk up some unusual symptoms to new motherhood fatigue or normal after effects, their life-changing experience can be life ending.
According to EveryMotherCounts.org, a woman dies every two minutes from complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and a whopping 98 percent of these deaths are preventable. Their statistics are staggering, even if they are global: many of the deaths they count include deaths related to problems mothers face with pre-natal care and health infrastructure in the developing world, where 99 percent of maternal deaths take place.
In the United States, about 650 women die each year due to pregnancy or childbirth complications. Most of these lives could be saved if symptoms are caught early enough to get emergency medical intervention.
Late-stage pregnancy is full of physical discomforts: swollen ankles, back pain, more labored breathing, and fatigue, to name a few. New motherhood, likewise, comes with its own set of symptoms: abdominal weakness, exhaustion, and emotional swings as a result of the high levels of hormones in our bodies. However, there are some symptoms that should trigger a red flag, and an immediate trip to the emergency room. Among them:
Sudden, Heavy Blood Loss
After giving birth, women experience a heavy discharge of blood and mucus, called lochia. Normal bleeding should be similar to that of a heavy period, and may contain blood clots. However, if bleeding becomes extreme (soaking a large maxi pad in an hour), if you’re passing large blood clots, or if your bleeding is accompanied by signs of shock (racing heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, and feeling faint), you could be experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). You should head to the emergency room immediately, as PPH is the cause for around 25 percent of pregnancy-related deaths worldwide.
Severe or Persistent Headache
Headaches can occur as a side effect of an epidural or spinal anesthesia, and may feel like a migraine that worsens when you sit or stand. If you have a bad headache, you should call your doctor so that they can discuss related symptoms and potentially meet with you in person. However, if in the first three days after childbirth you have a bad headache with blurred vision, nausea, or vomiting, it can be a sign of preeclampsia. You should get yourself to an ER as soon as possible to have yourself examined.
Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain or Calf Pain
Women in late stages of pregnancy often experience shortness of breath as the fetus becomes larger and limits lung capacity. However, if you feel breathless after giving birth, and that sensation does not go away with rest, you need immediate help. This may be a symptom of a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE), or a clot stuck in a blood vessel in your lung. A woman’s risk of developing a PE remains elevated for at least 12 weeks after childbirth, so it’s important to mind this symptom even if your child is a few months old.
Chest pain after childbirth can be a sign of strained muscles from exertion during labor, but can also be a sign of a PE, so it should not be ignored. You should be seen as soon as possible by an ER doctor who can rule out a dangerous childbirth complication.
Calf pain, tenderness, or swelling can also indicate the presence of a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. A DVT may have symptoms like redness (especially in the back of the leg, below the bend of the knee), a feeling of heaviness or warmth in a specific area. A DVT can become dislodged and travel to the lungs, where it can cause a PE. This possibly life-threatening condition should be reported to your doctor immediately and followed by a trip to the ER.
High Fever
Giving birth wreaks havoc on our bodies. Many women who deliver naturally experience tearing or have to undergo an episiotomy to help deliver the child. Women who undergo a caesarean section (C-section). These wounds leave us at risk of infection in the hours and days after childbirth. If you develop a high fever that’s accompanied by shivering and/or abdominal pain, it’s a sign that you’ve developed an infection and need immediate medical attention. According to a 2013 study by the University of Michigan, incidents of sepsis and sepsis-related deaths are on the rise in the U.S.
If you have developed a urinary tract infection, you will experience pain or burning during urination or find it difficult to urinate. A uterine infection may also be accompanied by a smelly vaginal discharge. Be sure to call your doctor and make an appointment to be seen the same day, or visit a local ER for an examination.
Upper Abdominal Pain
You may be at risk for the rare condition called HELLP syndrome if you have given birth within the last 48 hours and experience:
● Extreme fatigue or malaise
● Nausea accompanied by at least one episode of vomiting
● Tenderness or pain in your upper right portion of your abdomen
● Severe headaches
HELLP is a disorder that affects your liver function and how your blood clots. Women who are developing HELLP may experience flu-like symptoms. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, stop reading this article and head to an emergency room to be examined.
One lesson that every new mom learns quickly is that, the moment a child is born, the attention shifts away from Mom (who is no longer the pregnant woman in need of assistance and care) and onto Baby. As a mother, our instincts kick in and it’s easy to neglect ourselves as we focus our attention and energy on our newly-arrived bundle of joy. Despite this, it is important to remember to take care of ourselves in the days, weeks and months after childbirth. Among the things you should do for yourself:
● Remember to eat. This may seem silly, but for many new moms, between visitors and baby’s needs, it’s easy to skip meals. Missing meals can affect your immune system and slow healing times from the aforementioned wounds women sustain during childbirth.
● Take breaks. First-time moms can be especially territorial with new babies. Remember to let others take a turn holding and bonding with baby, which will give you time to catch a quick nap, take a shower, or simply have a few minutes of quiet time. Recharging keeps you feeling your best and being the best mom you can for your baby.
● Put your oxygen mask on first. If you’re feeling any of the symptoms outlined above, do not put them on the back burner or ignore them because you feel an obligation to put your baby first. Your baby needs a healthy mom - and the best thing you could do for your child is make sure you’re around for the long term.
Remember, not all health problems are physical, and that doesn’t make them any less serious. Most moms experience changes in their emotions after childbirth, and this is completely normal. However, if you are experiencing manic behavior, insomnia, and severe agitation, it may be a sign of something more serious. Severe agitation, confusion, hallucinations and delusions can be a sign of the onset of a rare condition called postpartum psychosis. Mild symptoms can rapidly become serious within a matter of hours, so it’s important that you seek help right away.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to get checked out.