Childbirth is often considered the end of pregnancy-related health risks. Once a baby is delivered, the mother and family naturally focus on recovery and caring for the newborn. But an important fact is often overlooked: some life-threatening complications can develop even after delivery, when the mother appears to be recovering normally.

A recent case from Srinagar highlights why every family must understand the warning signs of a serious condition called postpartum pre-eclampsia.A young woman, just 14 days after a Caesarean delivery, was rushed to our emergency department with extreme breathlessness and a feeling of suffocation. She had a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension, meaning her blood pressure had become high during pregnancy.On arrival, her condition was critical. Her blood pressure was 230/120 mmHg, while her oxygen saturation was only 48 per cent, her heart rate was 142, and her respiratory rate was 30. She was coughing up pink, frothy sputum, a possible sign of fluid accumulating in the lungs.She was diagnosed with delayed postpartum pre-eclampsia complicated by pulmonary oedema and heart failure. She required emergency treatment, breathing support and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Fortunately, following timely intervention, she was taken off the ventilator after approximately eight........

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