5 Health Issues New Moms Should Be Aware Of
Lindsay Knake
| 4 min read
Between physical, hormonal and emotional changes, pregnancy and childbirth can be hard on the body. In the six to eight weeks following childbirth, women are in the postpartum period. As you transition to motherhood, your body is also healing and recovering after pregnancy and childbirth.
Here are five health issues new moms should be aware of.
Bleeding and discharge
Vaginal bleeding and discharge are common for women in the six weeks after giving birth, even for women who have had a cesarean section, or c-section. This is called lochia, consisting of blood, mucus and fragments of uterine tissue that normally sheds during this time, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The discharge typically starts as red for a few days, then turns brown for four to 12 days and then there is a lighter yellow or white discharge for four to 12 days. The entire process can take up to four to six weeks. Wear sanitary pads, not tampons.
If you experience ongoing bleeding or greenish discharge, talk to your physician.
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pregnancy can weaken the pelvic floor, or the muscles and tissues that support pelvic organs including the uterus and bladder. If the pelvic floor does not support the organs in their normal position, and they drop, this is called pelvic organ prolapse, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Prolapsed organs can bulge into other organs or protrude into or out of the vagina.
Up to one in four women can experience pelvic organ prolapse.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling of pelvic pressure
- Lower back pain
- Urinary incontinence
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation
If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor who will evaluate you and determine the best treatment for your specific circumstance. This could include working with a physical therapist to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve symptoms.
Urinary incontinence
Weakened pelvic floor muscles or vaginal tearing during delivery can lead to urinary incontinence. Up to 40% of postpartum women experience some type of incontinence, particularly stress incontinence, according to the University of Colorado. This is when women experience leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or jumping.
Talk to your physician if you experience incontinence. While it is common, treatments include pelvic floor therapy, bladder training and Kegel exercises.
High blood pressure
Postpartum preeclampsia, or high blood pressure, is a rare but serious health condition. It typically develops within 48 hours of childbirth, but it can develop up to six weeks later, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia include:
- High blood pressure
- Severe headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision, light sensitivity or temporary loss of vision
- Decreased urination
- Pain in the upper abdomen
High blood pressure after birth needs immediate medical attention; left untreated, it can lead to organ damage, seizures, and death. Women who have had pregnancy associated hypertension should talk to their obstetrician about managing blood pressure symptoms after delivery.
Postpartum depression and anxiety
As many as 80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” in the first few weeks after giving birth, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Temporary feelings of tearfulness or sadness that fade within a couple of weeks are generally not something to worry about. Persistent feelings of sadness, numbness, hopelessness, despair or excessive worrying that interfere with daily life, however, could be signs of postpartum depression or anxiety. Emotions that disrupt your sleep or cause you to not eat or overeat are also signs of poor mental health.
If you experience any symptoms of sadness, despair, anxiety or insomnia, talk to your physician. If you experience thoughts of wanting to harm yourself, your baby or anyone else, reach out to your physician. Treatment for both postpartum depression and anxiety includes therapy and medication. Take care of yourself by sleeping, eating a healthy diet, getting exercise as you are able, talking about your experiences and asking for help.
Image: Getty Images
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