Pregnancy and birth can be an amazing experience for many mothers. Although there can be a lot of pregnancy related issues, most of them disappear after delivery. However, sometimes the body does not always return to normal after your baby is born.

Some common post-birth complications can cause varying degrees of discomfort and distress. Dealing with these difficulties can help to rectify them quickly and prevent further problems.

Perineal Pain

The perineum is the area between the vagina and the rectum. It commonly experiences a lot of stretching, bruising and sometimes tearing during delivery. In some situations, it may be necessary to perform an episiotomy which is a small cut of the perineum. This can also cause soreness and discomfort.

With any of these conditions, pain and difficulty sitting are common for a little while, however, if it continues you should consult your doctor.

Haemorrhoids and Constipation

During pregnancy, there can be pressure on the organs, including the bowel. This can cause constipation and in some cases cause haemorrhoids to form. They can be very painful and cause blood to discharge along with defecation.

In most cases, the haemorrhoids should disappear a few weeks after birth, however, sometimes they persist and need to be treated. You can get medicines over the counter at a pharmacy that can treat haemorrhoids. However, if this does not help, you should see your doctor for advice.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Some women will suffer from pelvic organ prolapse as a result of giving birth. This is a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles that allows organs such as the bowel or bladder to protrude through.

Performing Kegel exercises before and after birth can help to prevent this condition, but if there is a problem, it might need surgical intervention. Procedures can include a rubber pessary to hold everything in place, a repair to the tissue or the use of transvaginal mesh (TVM).

It is important to note that some women have sought advice from a tvm lawyer due to complications as a result of the transvaginal mesh, so think carefully on this option if it is offered.

Uterus Infection

In some cases, parts of the placenta do not separate from the uterus after childbirth. This can cause an infection to take hold which causes flu-like symptoms and tenderness in the abdomen.

It is important that you seek the advice of your doctor so that antibiotics can be given, otherwise there could be a risk of toxic shock syndrome developing.

Postpartum Depression

Probably one of the most common problems after birth, postpartum depression or PND can cause severe depression and anxiety as defined here in more detail. It may not always be apparent to the person suffering that they have a problem, but friends and family may notice the signs. These can include anger, feeling overwhelmed, unhappiness and frequent and intense low mood.

It is important that you realize you are not alone and seek help from your doctor who can prescribe medication and counselling to help with the symptoms.

These are a few of the complications that can occur after birth. However, most women will find no problems after birth.