MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

Possible Complications

If you sense that something is wrong with your body or you experience any of the warning signs highlighted throughout this book, you may have a serious or even life-threatening postpartum complication. Always take warning signs seriously and don’t hesitate to reach out for medical care right away. Your symptoms may be nothing. But they could be signs of something serious.

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HEART ISSUES

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

EXTREME WARNING

POSTPARTUM PREECLAMPSIA Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare but serious condition related to high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine. Most cases appear in the first 48 hours after giving birth but can happen up to 6 weeks after childbirth. Preeclampsia is a very dangerous condition, but it can be treated if caught early. • NEVER ignore any signs or symptoms of preeclampsia • ALWAYS reach out for medical attention immediately Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the lower leg. Although uncommon, you are at higher risk for DVT for about 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth. If left untreated, a blood clot can break apart and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or to the brain and cause a stroke— both potentially life-threatening emergencies. Walking and staying active can help lower the risk of blood clots. But if you experience any blood clot warning signs, immediately reach out for medical attention. During pregnancy, your heart works harder than usual to pump blood to you and your baby. This extra stress can activate underlying heart issues or lead to the development of new heart problems during labor and childbirth and up to 1 year after giving birth. Potential problems • High blood pressure ̵ Preeclampsia Gestational high blood pressure Chronic high blood pressure • Cardiomyopathy (heart failure) • Stroke • Pulmonary embolism (blood clot travels through bloodstream to lung) BLOOD CLOT IN LEG

Call 911 or go to the closest emergency room if you: • Experience chest pain, tightness, or discomfort • Think you might

Tell a nurse or your health care provider immediately if you have: • Severe headache that won’t go away • Vision changes • Swelling in your legs or feet • Heart palpitations (skipping beats) • Blood pressure 140/90 or higher

be having a heart attack

• Shortness of breath • Difficulty breathing

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

EXTREME WARNING

Call 911 or go to the closest emergency room if you have: • Chest pain

Tell a nurse or your health care provider immediately if you have: • Tender, red, hard, warm area on calf or thigh • Pain or tenderness that feels like a pulled muscle • Unexplained fever • Slight or moderate swelling in one leg • Rapid heartbeat or breathing • Coughed up blood

• Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath • Facial drooping • Arm weakness on one side • Difficulty speaking

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

EXTREME WARNING

Call 911 or go to the closest emergency room if you are: • Short of breath • Seeing spots • Having a seizure

Tell a nurse or your health care provider immediately if you have: • Blood pressure 140/90 or higher • Severe headache that won’t go away

• Swelling of your hands or face • Vision changes like blurriness, flashing lights, or seeing spots • Upper stomach or shoulder pain under the ribs on the right side

Anytime you have signs and symptoms of complications and you can't reach your health care provider, go to the nearest emergency room .

Postpartum preeclampsia is a very dangerous condition that can be treated if caught early. If you have any symptoms that worry you or something just doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Call your health care provider or go to the closest emergency room right away. If you go to the emergency room:

• Tell them you just had a baby (provide the date) • Ask for an obstetrician or gynecologist within 1 hour • Have someone notify your health care provider

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care