From the Research
Management of Severe Edema in the Immediate Postpartum Period
The management approach for severe edema in the immediate postpartum period involves various techniques, including:
- Compression therapy (CT) with physical exercise adapted to the severity of venous disease and edema, as seen in a case report where a woman in the thirty-third week of pregnancy experienced lower limb edema and was treated with CT, including compressive bandaging (CB) and compression garments (CG) 1
- Areolar compression (AC) to reduce nipple and areola edema, allowing for successful latching onto the breast for breastfeeding, as described in a case study of a mother with severe generalized fluid retention during labor and early postpartum 2
- Light compression to prevent chronic venous disease, edema, and discomfort in women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as assessed in a prospective randomized study where compression class 1 (ccl1=18-21 mmHg) was used in lower limb edema and CVD prevention in pregnant and postpartum women 3
- Treatment of underlying conditions, such as postpartum hypertension, which can cause edema, with fast-acting antihypertension medication, such as labetalol, hydralazine, and nifedipine, and long-acting antihypertensive agents for persistent postpartum hypertension 4
Types of Edema
Different types of edema can occur in the postpartum period, including:
- Lower limb edema, which can be treated with compression therapy and physical exercise 1, 3
- Pulmonary edema, which is a serious emergency that requires immediate treatment, as described in a case report of a woman who developed acute pulmonary edema after cesarean section 5
- Breast edema, which can interfere with breastfeeding and can be treated with areolar compression 2