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Director, SPARSH Hospital for Women and Children, and lead consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Pregnancy is a time when a woman’s body undergoes some dramatic changes. During the whole period of pregnancy and after childbirth, the female body goes through several physical and emotional changes. Most of these are manageable but there might be some that are more concerning, even life-threatening and may have a long-term impact on health. The period of pregnancy and the risks and joys that come with it, is unique to each individual. For some, it may be a very happy period whereas for others it comes with its own set of challenges. The common person’s understanding of pregnancy is influenced a whole lot by the way it has been portrayed in popular culture. Most of the portrayal is not realistic and tends to be exaggerated to a great extent. From pregnancy ‘glows’ to food cravings and meltdowns, the portrayal is most of the time stereotyped.
Even though most pregnancies progress uneventfully, there may be a few complications that some women face. This includes excessive bleeding in pregnancy and post delivery – haemorrhage, raised blood pressure (pre-eclampsia/eclampsia), gestational diabetes, sepsis and anaemia. It’s very important to receive the right care throughout the pregnancy and post delivery to ensure that these complications are recognised and treated appropriately.
Pregnancy-related complications
Haemorrhage: It refers to profuse bleeding following delivery and sometimes during pregnancy. If the condition is not given timely treatment, it can result in maternal complications, including death of the mother. Haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality in India.
PreEclampsia/Eclampsia : Elevated blood pressure in pregnancy with or without protein in the urine can cause problems for the mother and the baby. This condition is known as pre-eclampsia and in extreme cases can give rise to fits in pregnancy (eclampsia). It can also result in the death of the baby and the mother.
Sepsis: This refers to an infection that enters the blood and can happen during pregnancy or after delivery. Sepsis can be a life-threatening condition, hence it needs to be recognised early and treated immediately.
In addition to the above, anaemia, diabetes mellitus and mental health issues can also cause problems in the pregnancy.
There might be some medical complications that may require termination of pregnancy and in such cases, it’s important to undergo safe abortions. If performed by untrained personnel, it can give rise to infection and bleeding, and give rise to long-term complications such as infertility.
While there’s enough focus on the physical complications that arise during pregnancy, mental health during pregnancy and post delivery is often ignored. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can arise for the first time in pregnancy or post delivery or an underlying condition may get exaggerated. From challenges related to breastfeeding, sleepless nights, the initial days of being a new mother can be a mixed bag of feelings. Some of it can be exhilarating and some exhausting. Throughout the postpartum period, a lot of physical and mental changes will take place. As a new mother, the most important thing to do is to take care of oneself.
Becoming a new mother
Prioritise your mental health: From changing diapers to adjusting to irregular sleep cycles, the first few months after delivery can be an overwhelming period. Many women experience postnatal blues and postpartum depression. Crying for no reason, feeling gloomy, and having no interest in the baby are some of the symptoms of both postnatal blues and postpartum depression. If these feelings continue for more than ten days, it could be a sign of postpartum depression. The woman and her family need to identify these symptoms and seek immediate help.
Breastfeeding: For some women, breastfeeding isn’t easy. They may face issues such as low supply of milk, sore breasts and cracked nipples, and problems with latching the baby. All these issues can be addressed with the help of a nurse and a lactation consultant.
Contraception: Postpartum contraception is essential to avoid any closely spaced pregnancies. A gap of one and a half to two years is typically recommended before starting another pregnancy. Women who are exclusively breastfeeding, may not get their period for six to nine months but this does not mean that they cannot fall pregnant. Although Lactational amenorrhea (when there are no periods) is a form of birth control, it cannot be relied upon entirely.
The whole period of pregnancy and post-delivery brings with it a lot of changes for a woman. A key question that most women have is whether they will be able to return to their regular way of life. The answer is Yes! But it’s important to make sure that the body has enough time to recover. Many women have concerns about weight gain in the postpartum period. New mothers can start exercising but discuss this with your doctor before your start.
Having a baby is a life-changing decision and to each individual the experience of pregnancy and childbirth is different. From hormonal changes to emotional breakdowns, pregnancy can be a roller coaster ride for many women. It’s important to know that the risks and joys of pregnancy are two sides of the same coin.
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Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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28/10/2022