The Recovery
They will not let me see her. I had a fever after the cesarean which meant some type of infection and the doctor did not want her exposed. Recovering after delivery, cesarean or vaginal has its complications. The woman’s body after delivery is susceptible to many ailments; it is frail and as such requires monitoring.
The Hospital Visit
After the cesarean, I don’t recall how I got into the hospital room. I awoke to voices and just then the nurse came in and announced to me it’s a girl. She then asked if I want to see her. I dutifully said yes. God knows I did not want to. When they wheeled her in and place her in my arms, I glanced down at her resentfully but when I looked into those big ebony eyes, it was love at first sight. It is a point in my life when I recognized a new reality, a new purpose that changed the value and quality of life. I called her Grace, because it was by grace that she came and that we survived.
Precautionary Care
I sat on my bed, the next morning anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Grace. But after waiting about 2 hours, a pressed the call button and inquired as to why my Grace was not brought to me. The nurse gently explained that when my temperature was taken early morning, it was too high to expose baby to whatever infection I may have. Your temperature, she said, most go down before Grace can be in your presence. We don’t want her getting whatever infection you have. I meekly agreed and laid back on the pillow with tear filled eyes.
Painful Recovery
The temperature went down on the third day, and Grace and I became inseparable. We shared gazes and kisses in the hospital and beyond. But, my recovery hindered our bonding time, it was not a smooth recovery. I was in pain when I laughed, cough or sneeze. The morning nurse was very sympathetic. The middle shift nurse, not so much. She insisted that I cough and blow into this contraption even after I complained about the pain. Her response was, coughing eases the pain and helps you heal. So, as she loomed over me, I coughed enough to warrant her to walk away. I laid back on the bed and rolled my eyes and realized that the pain was not bad after the third cough. I coughed enough thereafter and was released the seventh day after delivery.
Monitoring Recovery
My condition in recovery, even though it prevented me from bonding with my Grace an initial two days, was not too serious. A raise in temperature is an expected symptom of cesarean delivery. It is easily treated with IV fluids and or antibiotics. After birth, a woman is monitor for complications that delay complete recovery. A delay in recovery influences how well a single parent can care for her child. Below is a short list of possible complications.
Excessive Bleeding
Postpartum Hemorrhage, as termed in the medical field, is a serious type of infection that should be addressed immediately. Postpartum Hemorrhage is heavy and extensive bleeding after vaginal or cesarean birth. It can result from uterus problems, tearing of the genital area, and other organs associated with the delivery of the infant. Pre-existing fibroid can also be a culprit of Postpartum Hemorrhage.
A State Of Depression
Postpartum depression is a disorder that might appear while a woman recovers from giving birth. After delivery a woman experience what is termed “baby blues”. If this psychological condition persist after ten days the patient is said to be suffering from postpartum depression. The patient is unable to sleep, is anxious, refuse to eat and cries constantly. Some factors that bring on postpartum depression are high spike in hormones as a result of delivery, lack of family support, and pre-existing mental problem. In this mental state mother can become harmful to herself and baby.
An infection
Puerperal Endometritis another illness that influences mother’s recovery time. It is a painful infection of the abdomen that causes high fever, uterine problems and odious discharge. It is brought about by cesarean or vaginal delivery.
More Infection
Pyelonephritis also shows up in the recovery after delivery. It invades the bladder at pre-birth and extents postpartum. Recovering mother will have a high fever and can experience pain during urinating. Mastitis is another ailment, and contaminates mother’s breast. The infection, inflames the breast and causes fever. Mother’s breast is swollen and very tender.
Twisted Uterus
While in recovery a mother might develop an inverted uterus. This condition occurs when the umbilical cord, placenta, or uterus receive excess pressure. The “inverted” uterus can be adjusted with pressure to the “fundus”.
The above are just a few of the many conditions that can impinge a woman’s recovery. As a single woman recovering from delivery, it is important not to ignore any irregularities of the body, spirit or mind. Consult with your physician for preventive care, your baby needs you healthy and fully recovered.
