Serious Postpartum Complications Women Can Face

Postpartum Hemorrhaging

Although bleeding following the delivery of a child is quite common for new moms, heavy bleeding that turns into hemorrhaging only affects two percent of all women, especially if their labor was long, they have had multiple births, or the uterus is infected. Hemorrhaging usually occurs because the uterus fails to contract properly after the woman delivers the placenta, or due to tears in the uterus, cervix, or vagina. If the uterus is not contracting, a midwife or doctor may massage the uterus to help it contract, or the doctor will administer oxytocin, a synthetic hormone, to stimulate contractions.

The doctor or midwife should be closely monitoring the mother during this time to ensure the uterus contracts properly and to prevent infection. If hemorrhaging begins a week or two after delivery, it could be due to a piece of placenta still in the uterus, which will need to be surgically removed. When home, the patient should report any heavy bleeding to their doctor immediately.

Infections

As mentioned earlier, when bits of the placenta remain in the uterus, it can lead to an infection. An infection of the amniotic sac during labor can lead to an infection in the uterus after delivery as well. Flu-like symptoms along with a high fever, a rapid heart rate, an abnormally high white blood cell count, a swollen and tender uterus, and a putrid smelling discharge are common symptoms of a uterine infection. Doctors can treat this type of infection with intravenous antibiotics.

Another common infection is a kidney infection, which occurs when bacteria spread from the bladder to the kidneys. Symptoms include constant urination with a strong urge to go, a high fever, pain in the lower back or side, constipation, and painful urination. Treatments include a dose of oral or intravenous antibiotics, and the patient is often instructed to drink plenty of fluids.