Birth Partner | For Everyone at the Birth

When to Call Your Provider

Most postpartum symptoms are normal parts of recovery, but some need immediate medical attention. Call your provider if you experience heavy bleeding that soaks one pad per hour or passing large clots, a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headache that does not improve with rest or medication, vision changes like blurring or spots, pain or redness in the leg that is swollen or warm to the touch, pain or burning with urination, or red and swollen areas on the breast accompanied by fever.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Heavy bleeding after birth is the most common postpartum emergency. Some bleeding is normal, but soaking through one pad per hour or passing clots larger than an egg is not. The most common cause is the uterus not contracting firmly after delivery. Treatment may include medication to help the uterus contract, uterine massage, or in rare cases surgical intervention. If you experience heavy bleeding, call your provider immediately or go to the emergency room.

Infection

Infections after birth can occur in the uterus, the incision site, the perineum, or the urinary tract. Signs include fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge, increasing pain rather than improving pain, and redness or warmth around an incision. Postpartum infections are treatable with antibiotics, but they need prompt attention. Do not wait to see if a fever goes away on its own.

Blood Clots

The risk of blood clots in the legs increases during pregnancy and remains elevated for several weeks after birth. Signs include pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in one leg, most commonly the calf. If you notice these signs, call your provider immediately. A blood clot that travels to the lungs can be life-threatening. Walking early after birth reduces your risk.

Mental Health Emergencies

Postpartum depression is common and treatable, but some symptoms require urgent attention. Call your provider or go to the emergency room if you have thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, if you are unable to sleep when the baby sleeps, if you hear voices or see things that are not there, or if you feel completely disconnected from reality. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988.