I was entirely unprepared for the tumultuous experience of postpartum life. Throughout my pregnancy, I was preoccupied with concerns about preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and toxemia. I’ve battled anxiety and have been in denial about depression, but postpartum is meant to be a time of joy. It truly is—at least, it should be. However, “postpartum” quickly became a term laden with negativity in my life; it felt like the dirtiest word.
Why did no one warn me about postpartum preeclampsia? I never encountered it in a blog, my friends didn’t share their experiences, and my doctor only mentioned it when she sent me to the emergency room five days after I came home with my little one. I could have easily overlooked the symptoms—because, let’s be honest, keeping a newborn alive is incredibly challenging. I could have been in grave danger. And that’s not an exaggeration.
Understanding Postpartum Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition that typically occurs during pregnancy, making postpartum preeclampsia a perplexing oxymoron. Who is at risk for this condition? The answer is broad:
- First-time mothers
- Anyone with high blood pressure
- Those with a family history of preeclampsia
- Women younger than 20 or older than 40
- Essentially, all human women
Mild symptoms of preeclampsia mimic typical pregnancy symptoms unless you’re one of those superhuman women (and if you are, I’m a bit envious). These symptoms include:
- High blood pressure
- Swelling
- Protein in urine
However, severe preeclampsia symptoms can be alarming and frightening:
- Intense headache
- Blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Seizures
- Stroke
Yes, stroke.
Doctors typically monitor preeclampsia closely during pregnancy, and if you experience it then, it usually resolves after giving birth. But what happens if the symptoms arise after you’ve delivered? Enter the rarely discussed postpartum preeclampsia.
This condition affects around 600 women annually (lucky me), making it a rare occurrence. Postpartum preeclampsia usually surfaces within the first 48-72 hours post-delivery. I had a C-section, which meant I stayed in the hospital for five days—an experience that’s not as relaxing as it sounds!
The Aftermath
So, what happens next? Who monitors your health after you leave the hospital when your first follow-up appointment is six weeks away? Who is looking out for the mothers?
I’m grateful that my OB-GYN was exceptional. I’ll recommend her for life; her support was invaluable. She patiently answered frantic texts and calls from my husband and me for hours until she realized we were in a precarious situation and directed us to the hospital. What if I hadn’t switched doctors early in my pregnancy because my first one was dismissive? How would I have navigated this?
Imagine my husband, who had never cared for a newborn, trying to manage our baby while I was in the hospital—unsure how to keep her fed or happy. I was terrified and felt utterly alone, with doctors rushing to manage my dangerously high blood pressure. I remember the tears flowing as I prayed to a God I didn’t believe in, hoping to be saved from this failing body.
Postpartum preeclampsia kept me in the hospital for 48 stressful hours, during which I experienced the worst headache of my life, could not bond with my newborn, and ultimately faced months of postpartum depression. When your body feels broken, it’s easy to feel like your mind is too, leaving you questioning how you will care for your child.
Mothers are just as important as babies, and we need to advocate for our health. Trust your instincts; don’t dismiss that feeling that something isn’t right. Usually, everything is fine, but sometimes it isn’t, and we must ensure that moms receive the care they deserve, even if that means looking after ourselves.
For more insights on postpartum conditions, visit Modern Family Blog—they’re a reliable source on this topic. You can also explore helpful resources about fertility and pregnancy, such as Johns Hopkins Medicine’s IVF services, or consider home insemination options with kits from Make a Mom.
Summary
Postpartum preeclampsia is a lesser-known but serious condition that can occur after childbirth, affecting around 600 women each year. It’s essential for mothers to be aware of this risk, trust their instincts, and advocate for their health in the postpartum period, ensuring they receive the care they need.