What is postpartum

Overview Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition that occurs when you have high blood pressure and excess protein in your urine soon after childbirth. Preeclampsia is a similar condition that develops during pregnancy and typically resolves with the birth of the baby. Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth. But, postpartum preeclampsia sometimes develops up to six weeks or later after childbirth. This is known as late postpartum preeclampsia. Symptoms Postpartum preeclampsia can be difficult to detect on your own. Many women who experience postpartum preeclampsia show no signs or symptoms during pregnancy. Also, you might not suspect that anything is wrong when you're focused on recovering after childbirth and caring for a newborn. Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia — which are typically the same as symptoms of preeclampsia prior to delivery — might include: • High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater • Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria) • Severe headaches • Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity • Pain in your upper belly, usually under the ribs on the right side • Nausea and vomiting • Shortness of breath • Decreased urination When to see a doctor If you have signs or symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia shortly after childbirth, contact your health care provider right away. Depending on the circumstances, you might ne...

Because your heart can't pump as much blood, it can't get enough oxygen to your organs. This affects your liver, lungs, and other systems. PPCM is rare in the United States. It only occurs in the US between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 4000 pregnancies every year. What Causes Postpartum Cardiomyopathy? No one is sure what causes postpartum cardiomyopathy. Studies of the heart muscle of women who had PPCM have shown Who Is at Risk for Postpartum Cardiomyopathy? While no one knows exactly what causes PPCM, several factors increase your risk of developing it. The risk of developing PPCM is higher the more risk factors you have, including being: • Over the age of 30 • African American • Pregnant with Other risk factors that increase your risk for developing PCCM include a history of the following conditions: • • • • Substance abuse • • What Are the Symptoms of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy? Symptoms of PPCM are similar to symptoms of other types of heart failure, including: • • • • • Extreme tiredness • Swollen neck veins • Difficulty exercising or being active Some of these symptoms commonly happen in the later stages of pregnancy. However, with postpartum cardiomyopathy, these symptoms are typically worse than those that normally happen during pregnancy. They may also get worse with time. How Is Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Diagnosed? Your doctor will diagnose postpartum cardiomyopathy by ruling out other causes of heart failure. They will listen to your symptoms and do a physical exam. They...

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a mental health emergency. This condition affects a person’s sense of reality, causing hallucinations, delusions, paranoia or other behavior changes. In severe cases, people with PPP may attempt to harm themselves or their newborn. This condition is treatable, and early treatment increases the odds of a good outcome. Overview What is postpartum psychosis? Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a reversible — but severe — mental health condition that affects people after they give birth. This condition is rare, but it’s also dangerous. IMPORTANT: People with postpartum psychosis have a much higher risk of harming themselves, dying by suicide or harming their children. Because of this, PPP is a mental health emergency. If you have the symptoms of PPP or are near someone who shows signs of it, it’s important to seek immediate help. If you believe someone is a danger to themselves or others, you should immediately dial 911 (or your local emergency services number). Who does postpartum psychosis affect? Postpartum psychosis can affect anyone who recently gave birth. While it usually happens within several days of giving birth, it can happen up to six weeks after. It can happen to anyone who gives birth, but the odds of having it are higher for people with certain mental health conditions. While experts don’t know if these conditions contribute to or cause PPP, they do know that there’s a link (see below under Causes and Symptoms for more about these conditi...

While some amount of anxiety is completely normal during this period, postpartum anxiety refers to overwhelming anxiety and uncontrollable worry that inhibits your daily functioning. With postpartum anxiety, you may experience intrusive thoughts and physical symptoms, and find it difficult to take care of your baby and yourself. Unfortunately, postpartum anxiety is not as well-studied or publicized as its counterpart, One study found that about 35% of people who experience postpartum anxiety will also have postpartum depression. Definition of Postpartum Anxiety There are no official diagnostic criteria for postpartum anxiety, but one definition is that it's an anxiety disorder that occurs in the time period from immediately post-birth up to a year post-birth. If you are having suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, or are a risk to yourself, your baby, or others, there is help available. Dial 988to contact the 911. For more mental health resources, see our Diagnosis Diagnosis of postpartum anxiety can be challenging or missed for multiple reasons. First, many anxiety symptoms may be considered "normal" in the postpartum period. Third, there has been an under-recognition of anxiety disorders within the peripartum and postpartum populations. This means that anxiety, specifically among people who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, is not well-researched. As a result, there are no anxiety screening tools available that are designed specifically for the postpartum popul...

The first six weeks after the delivery of your baby are considered your “recovery” period, eight weeks if you had a cesarean section. But some believe recovery lasts for six months up to one year postpartum. Even if you had the easiest delivery on record (and especially if you didn’t), your body has been stretched and stressed, so it needs time to recover and regroup. Postpartum Recovery: How to ease and speed your recovery Assemble Your Postpartum Care Team The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends assembling a postpartum care team to help support you. These are family and friends who can help by: • Caring for your newborn and other children • Offering breastfeeding support • Making meals • Doing chores • Helping you get to your health care visits • Providing emotional support Maternal care provider This is your ob-gyn or other obstetric care provider who is in charge of your care during the postpartum period. Call this person first if you have questions about your health after delivery. Your baby’s primary care provider This is the pediatrician or other health care provider who is in charge of your baby’s care. Call this person if you have questions about your baby’s health. Other Professionals These people may include: • Other doctors to help with medical conditions • Counselors to help with breastfeeding • Nurses, social workers, and other trained professionals What to expect during your postpartum recovery Many factors affect how a moth...

I had always dreamed of having a big family, but my feelings changed after going through postpartum with my first baby. What’s the official definition of postpartum? The word postpartum comes from a Latin phrase which means “after childbirth”. The postpartum period begins immediately after birth and lasts for up to six months. That’s the amount of time that it takes a woman’s body to return to a pre-pregnancy state. Now, that’s the dictionary’s definition. But read on to find out about what that definition isn’t telling you. WHAT IS POSTPARTUM, REALLY? Parents who have been there will agree that something important is missing from the official definition, and that’s the fact that the postpartum period is hard. Well, o f course it is, you may be thinking. I agree that most soon-to-be-parents are already properly forewarned that after their baby is born their life will change. They’ve heard it time and time again that they’ll be tired and sleep deprived. However, most soon-to-be-parents are not being warned about other feelings that they’ll likely have after their baby is born. It’s so important that new parents understand that these feelings are extremely normal and common. Just by knowing this will help them be more mentally prepared and cope better. If new parents have these feelings beyond the typical “baby blues” period of just one month, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re experiencing “postpartum depression”. It can just mean… they’re experiencing postpartum. The post...