Thrombosis and embolism
During pregnancy and in the puerperium the probability of getting a leg vein thrombosis is significantly increased. The cause lies in the changes in the circulatory system during pregnancy to adapt to the birth.
Postpartum fever
Postpartum fever, also known as puerperal fever, is caused by an inflammation in the woman’s genital area after birth. During childbirth, small injuries occur in the birth canal, providing an easy entry point for bacteria. The cervix, which is still wide after birth, also supports the ascent of bacteria from the outer vagina towards the uterus.
Mostly it is bacteria of the groups staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli or Neisseria gonorrhoea that are responsible for postpartum fever. If an infection is present, postpartum fever is usually caused by fever, a poor general condition, pain in the lower abdomen and a foul-smelling postpartum flow. Bleeding and nausea or vomiting may also occur.
Shock symptoms are often present, which means that there is low blood pressure in addition to a fast heart rate and accelerated breathing. Postpartum fever should be treated quickly with antibiotics, as the inflammation can spread to the peritoneum. Then there is a high risk of developing blood poisoning.
The so-called Sheehan Syndrome occurs when there is a major loss of blood during or after birth, which leads to a reduced supply (ischemia) of blood to the pituitary gland (anterior lobe of the pituitary gland = adenohypophysis). This leads to necrosis (tissue death) of the anterior pituitary gland and, as a result, to a reduced production or a lack of production of the hormones produced there. A deficiency of the hormone prolactin leads to a lack of milk production (lactation) and breastfeeding becomes impossible.A deficiency of the hormones FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) causes an insufficient release of sex hormones.
A lack of sex hormones leads to the absence of menstrual bleeding (secondary amenorrhea), to a certain degree to the regression of breast development (hypotrophy of the mammae) and the uterus (supervolutio uterii) and partly to the loss of secondary hair (pubic and axillary hair (pubes and axillary hair). In addition, a disinterest in sexual intercourse can occur (loss of libido). A deficiency of the hormone TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) leads to an underfunction of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
Reduced concentrations of the hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) in the blood lead to an adrenal cortex hypofunction. Symptoms of this are low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia), low blood pressure (hypotension) and inertia (adynamia). Nowadays all missing hormones can be produced and replaced (substituted).
