I recently heard that birth itself isn't the life-threatening part, but rather the 2ish weeks post-birth. Can you shed some light on the issue?

What did you hear and where did you hear it?

@Rarebear Exactly what I posted, from a professor in regards to women dying after giving birth before the advent of antibiotics.

@noelleptc Wow, they had to stitch you back up? That’s too painful to think about.

So are you talking now or a hundred years ago?

I had a very scary birthing incident my last pregnancy. Both my daughter and I were in danger when I was in labor. My husband made me promise we would have no more kids because of this, it scared him that bad. :/

It was because infections picked up during delivery take time to get a hold and then kill the poor mother. Given how dangerous birth used to be for women (still is in some countries) it’s a wonder any of us are here at all.

@NyNewtBoobs check out episiotomy if you want to wince…

Are you speaking of puerperal fever?

@MyNewtBoobs You don’t want to hear this. I was on public aid when my second son was born. The doctor asked if it would be ok for a student doctor (help me here @Rarebear, what are student doctors called?) to do the episiotomy. I said it would be fine. When he went to cut me he said “oops”. He cut too far. I needed stitches, then had to return two weeks later because I developed an abscess along the incision. Worst pain I ever had to deal with in my life. I’d rather give vaginal birth to twins.

@Rarebear Now in some countries, or 100+ years ago. Either/or.

@Jeruba Quite possibly.

@jonsblond O.O

@meiosis Tell me more about these infections.

@MyNewtBoobs I’m no medic, but endometriosis, mastitis and urinary tract infections are fairly common.

I had a c-section with my oldest and got a horrible infection in the wound. I was in the hospital for a couple weeks on IV antibiotics and had two surgeries to get rid of the infection. I’d have died for sure if it had been 100 years ago.

Infections, yes.

Also excessive bleeding or clotting are common. Your clotting factors can go haywire after birth causing either scenario.

The bloodstream is basically open to the outside after giving birth for a whle. Anytime that happens, infection can set in. Not only do women bleed is there’s a tear in the perineum, they bleed from the site where the placenta was attached and anywhere else along the way that might have suffered a tear, major or minor, as the baby was making its way out (Know how easy it is to puncture or scratch the inside of your cheek? Babies come with fully formed finger and toenails, imagine what those can do to fragile mucous membrane on the vaginal wall). Women can bleed for a few days, depending on how long it takes the uterus to contract and cut off bleeding (or for it to be stopped by other means depending on the site), but will continue to appear to be bleeding for up to weeks as all the crap in her uterus makes its way out. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream, especially if the area where the women is giving birth is less than sterile, as it was never back in the day.

Its as simple as open wound>bacteria>infection>sickness>death. :)

Probably hemorrhaging.