Navigating Postpartum Complications
The CHRISTUS Children's Center for Midwifery and Women's Health
Pregnancy takes a significant toll on a woman’s body, and while the end result is often a beautiful new addition to the family, postpartum complications can leave a new mom feeling as though her world—body, mind and soul—has been turned upside down.
One common postpartum challenge is the “baby blues”—characterized by mood swings, irritability and bouts of crying (sometimes almost as much as the newborn!). While the baby blues typically resolve on their own, a more serious emotional condition known as postpartum depression (PPD) can develop and may require professional support.
To manage both the baby blues and PPD, Renata Marquez, a certified nurse midwife at CHRISTUS Children’s in San Antonio, recommends “accepting help with baby care so you can rest as much as possible.” She also encourages seeking support from a therapist, explaining that it can “allow you to talk openly about your feelings.”
In some cases, though, postpartum complications extend beyond emotional well-being and require medical intervention. Nadya Amaro knows this reality all too well.
Center for Midwifery and Women's Health
CHRISTUS Children's Midwifery and Women's Health
At CHRISTUS Children's Center for Midwifery and Women’s Health in San Antonio, our hospital-based certified nurse midwives partner closely with OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists to guide your pregnancy with expert, compassionate care. We’re here to ensure every step of your journey, from prenatal visits to labor and delivery, is centered on you and your growing family.
Managing Nadya’s Postpartum Complication
Nadya and her husband, Mario, welcomed Elena Sofia Amaro into the world on Jan. 25, 2025 at CHRISTUS Children’s in San Antonio with the assistance of their nurse midwife, Renata. It was an easy pregnancy, and they were ecstatic about bringing their healthy baby home.
Unfortunately, while baby Elena was thriving, Nadya, a nursing student at UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, wasn’t doing as well. About a week after delivery, Nadya said she was bleeding heavily.
“I went to the Labor and Delivery Emergency Room at CHRISTUS Children's because I thought I might be having a postpartum hemorrhage,” Nadya recalled. “At the ER, I had some tests but they came back inconclusive. I was discharged and called my midwife, Renata, right away.”
Renata, a member of the team at the CHRISTUS Children's Center for Midwifery & Women’s Health, was concerned by what Nadya was describing and asked her to come in for a second ultrasound. An ultrasound is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of organs and tissues inside the body.
Nadya returned for the scan on Monday, Feb. 3, just 10 days after giving birth to her daughter, Elena. She had been experiencing unusual bleeding, prompting concern for delayed postpartum hemorrhage, a condition in which excessive bleeding occurs more than 24 hours after delivery.
The ultrasound showed a thickened endometrium with possible retained tissue or blood clots, findings that can contribute to continued bleeding. “I reviewed Nadya’s ultrasound results with Dr. Florencia Molina , one of the obstetricians in our practice,” said Renata. “We determined that the best course of action was a dilation and curettage, or D&C.”
A D&C is a surgical procedure used to remove tissue from the uterus and can be essential in stopping bleeding and preventing further complications such as infection or anemia.
“We wanted to get everything out as soon as possible to prevent any further problems that might require more extensive interventions,” Renata said.
This worried Nadya; she was concerned about leaving the baby to get the D&C and was also upset about needing the procedure in the first place.
“But it turns out, I had absolutely no reason to worry. The care I received from Renata and Dr. Molina was truly exceptional,” Nadya said. “In fact, every aspect of my care at CHRISTUS was amazing. During labor, they treated me as a whole person—not just a nameless woman giving birth. They monitored me closely and helped manage my pain before delivery. And afterward, the lactation consultant was excellent.”
Every Labor and Delivery nurse that Nadya encountered was so helpful and kind. “They explained everything, step by step. They told me what to expect, and they were right there with me during my labor. I felt so cared for,” Nadya said.
Nadya’s fears were completely normal under the circumstances, Renata said, noting, “I totally understand the emotional component here. She has a newborn to care for, and she is worried about herself. Her emotional reaction is completely understandable.”
Thankfully, Nadya’s D&C procedure went exactly as planned. Results showed she was in the clear. There was no need for further medical intervention. She could return home and enjoy her new baby.
“Nadya’s complication isn’t unheard of—though it’s less common than some other postpartum issues,” Renata explained. “If it does occur, it’s important for the new mother to contact her provider right away. After giving birth, it’s just as important for a mother to care for herself as it is to care for her newborn.”
Common Postpartum Complications and How CHRISTUS Children’s Can Help
The CHRISTUS Children’s Center for Midwifery & Women’s Health is dedicated to walking alongside women through pregnancy, delivery and every stage of postpartum recovery, including complications that can arise after birth. Their team of certified nurse midwives and OB-GYN specialists provides personalized, compassionate care—from prenatal visits and labor support to routine postpartum follow-ups and urgent interventions, helping mothers feel supported physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout their entire maternal journey.
Postpartum recovery can come with both emotional and physical challenges, and new moms should be aware of the wide range of issues that can arise after childbirth. Emotional conditions like the baby blues or postpartum depression are well known, but physical complications—such as the one Nadya experienced—can also occur.
Some vaginal bleeding is normal in the days following delivery, but excessive bleeding or large clots, like in Nadya’s case, are not. In situations like this, seeking immediate medical care is essential. Nadya did exactly the right thing by going to the Labor and Delivery Emergency Room at CHRISTUS Children’s.
Renata outlines several other physical postpartum complications to watch for, along with helpful tips on how to manage them:
Perineal pain (following vaginal delivery): It’s normal to feel sore, especially after a tear or episiotomy. Sitting in warm water, using ice packs and witch hazel cooling pads can provide relief. The pain may last up to two weeks and the stitches will dissolve in time.
Cesarean section recovery: Following a C-Section, it’s normal to have abdominal pain and limited mobility. However, incision site infections and hernias require medical intervention.
Urinary incontinence: After having a baby, a woman’s pelvic floor muscles can become weak. This leads to leaking urine, especially when laughing, coughing or sneezing. Kegel exercises can help strengthen these muscles over time. If the problem becomes a quality-of-life issue, seek medical assistance from a pelvic floor specialist.
Uterine contractions: Often referred to as “after pains,” some women feel contractions after delivery as the uterus shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size. This might be more noticeable during breastfeeding. Uterine contractions are generally normal unless they persist for more than a few days.
Mastitis: Inflammation of breast tissue, which can occur if milk ducts are blocked, is quite painful and may lead to bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. If you experience breast pain, swelling, redness, firmness, or flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider promptly.
In addition to the conditions already mentioned, Renata said achiness, hemorrhoids and constipation postpartum are completely normal and typically resolve with over-the-counter remedies. “If these conditions persist, definitely contact your doctor or midwife,” she said.
Bonding with Baby
For moms who are having difficulty bonding with their newborn, Renata has some advice.
“First, it’s important to know that it’s normal if you don’t feel an immediate connection with your baby. Bonding can take days or even weeks,” the nurse midwife said. “I like to encourage my patients to work through it by making sure they have as much skin-to-skin contact as possible with the baby. Also, talk and sing to your baby and respond to their cues.
“Finally, recognize that having a baby is a major life change and every journey is different. You will get to the exact place you need to be very soon. Give yourself some grace.”
Click here to learn more about the midwifery services offered at CHRISTUS Children’s.
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