Overcoming Postpartum Struggles: Your Roadmap to Recovery
Show Notes:
[1:37] Our Reviewer of the Week, Madi-12-12, said: "I give this podcast credit for my amazing unmedicated birth experience! Education is key to an amazing birth experience and this podcast provides it! I was unable to take the birth course by the time l found this podcast because I was already enrolled in another, but I learned more from this podcast then I did from that other birth course. I will definitely sign up for their birth course for my next pregnancy! Thank you so much for the time and effort put into this podcast!"
[2:51] This topic came up in our Facebook group for My Essential Birth. What do we do when postpartum goes a little bit sideways? I think there are some things, I'm going to go over some of the more serious things that you need to be aware of immediately. Some things that we can catch right away. And then some of those that you might not be so easy to catch.
[4:38] Let's talk about these three big warning signs that you need to be aware of.
#1: Postpartum Hemorrhage: excessive vaginal bleeding and the most common serious and immediate postpartum complication, and it can occur up to 12 weeks postpartum. If you are soaking through your pads each hour for more than two hours, it's time to call your provider and be prepared to head into the office or the hospital to get checked out.
If you're experiencing any of the following, I want you to call 911 or go to the hospital immediately: if you have constant bleeding from the vagina that doesn't stop or slow down, if you have blurred vision, chills and/or feeling faint, all of those could be signs of postpartum hemorrhage.
[7:49] #2: Postpartum Preeclampsia: this is caused by high blood pressure and it's a sign that your organs might not be working properly. Some women experience it following the birth of their baby. It usually occurs a few days after giving birth, but it can occur up to six weeks postpartum. Call your doctor right away if you experience the following symptoms:
- Blood pressure higher than 140 over 90
- Changes in your vision (blurring, light sensitivity, seeing spots, etc.)
- A headache that won't go away
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in your face or hands
- Pain in the shoulder or abdominal or belly area
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden weight gain (2-3+ pounds in a week)
[8:47] #3: Postpartum Endometritis: an infection in the lining of the uterus. Bacteria can get into the uterus during childbirth and cause infections. This condition usually happens around 2-10 days after birth, but it can develop for up to six weeks after childbirth. If it goes untreated, it can cause further medical conditions and complications. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Feeling tired or sick
- Sensations of abdominal pain or tenderness
- Unusually foul smelling vaginal discharge.
[12:20] " I also want to tell you to remember that you are strong, that you are capable and you are the perfect mother for your baby. So as much crazy as it all feels right now, you're going to get your feet back under you and you're, you're going to move forward and be doing all the right things very soon. So don't stress. It will all fall into place, even if it's a rough start."
[12:37] Stephanie goes over non-life threatening issues that can come up during postpartum along with ways to help ease discomfort.
- Pain in your vaginal area
- Abdominal pain
- Breastfeeding
[26:34] Postpartum depression would be the like sad and weepy feelings. There's also postpartum anxiety and postpartum anger. If you're noticing some of these mood changes, they're sticking around, they're becoming a little bit more intense, or they're just not going away, that's when we want to pay attention to them.
- Get outside for 20 minutes
- Eat nutrient dense food
- Find professional help
[28:48] What if your birth wasn't what you imagined? You need to be able to share your birth story no matter how it turned out, and you need to be validated in how you felt and what you experienced, no matter what that looked like for you.
[36:04] If you think something is wrong before that six week appointment, call, check in, ask for help, go back in, have them check you out again. You do not have to wait for the six weeks. You're not completely back to normal by any means at six weeks. Maybe you can resume some of your normal activities and maybe you're getting a touch more. sleep and you're kind of getting into the groove of life. Listen to your body, trust your intuition, use your resources. Use those people that you have around you.
You're incredible. Don't forget to take care of yourself postpartum. Don't forget to take care of yourself right now, wherever you're out on your journey and when you were feeling well, and you've experienced and kind of walked through some of this stuff, reach out and help another mom, cause that's what we're doing. We're here to build community and a love on one another.
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ALL the best,
Links Mentioned:
- My Essential Birth Course
- My Essential Birth Postpartum Course
- My Essential Birth Instagram
- Postpartum Support International - 1-800-944-4773
- Conditions to Watch for Postpartum
- Post-Delivery Complications
