Warning Signs

Warning Signs

The weeks after giving birth are a time of healing and big changes. Most people recover safely, but sometimes serious problems can happen. Knowing what to watch for helps keep you safe.  

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, or you’re unsure, it’s always okay to call your healthcare provider. You know your body best. 

If you have any of these symptoms after pregnancy, contact your health care Provider and get help right away.  If you can’t reach your Provider, go to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.  Always remember to say you have been pregnant within the last year when getting help.  

  • Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away 

    • You have sharp, stabbing, or cramp-like pain that doesn’t go away 

    • Your belly pain starts suddenly and is severe, or gets worse over time 

    • You have severe chest, shoulder, or back pain 

  • Dizziness 

    • You faint or pass out 

    • You have dizziness and lightheadedness that’s ongoing, or comes and goes over many days 

    • You experience a gap in time of which you have no memory 

  • Fever 

    • You have a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) or higher 

  • Changes in your vision 

    • You see flashes of light or bright spots 

    • You have blind spots or you can’t see at all for a short time 

    • Your vision is blurry, you can’t focus, or you’re seeing double 

  • Headache that won’t go away or gets worse over time 

    • Feels like the worst headache of your life 

    • Lasts even after treatment with medication and fluid intake 

    • Starts suddenly with severe pain – like a clap of thunder  

    • Throbs and is on one side of your head above your ear 

    • Comes with blurred vision or dizziness 

  • Trouble breathing 

    • You feel short of breath suddenly or over time, as if you can’t breathe deeply enough to get enough air in your lungs 

    • Your throat and/or chest feel tight 

    • You have trouble breathing when you’re laying down flat, such as needing to prop your head up with pillows to sleep 

  • Chest pain or fast-beating heart 

    • You have chest pain, such as:  

      • A feeling of tightness or pressure in the center of your chest 

      • Pain that travels to your back, neck, or arm 

    • You have a change in your heartbeat, such as:  

      • A fast heartbeat or a pounding in your chest 

      • An irregular heart rate or skipped heartbeats 

    • You feel dizzy, faint, or disoriented 

    • You have trouble catching your breath (talking and breathing are difficult) 

    • These symptoms can happen at any time and anywhere or may be triggered by a specific event. 

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby 

    • You may think about hurting yourself because you:  

      • Feel very sad, hopeless, or not good enough 

      • Don’t feel that you have control over your life 

      • Feel extremely worried all the time.  

    • You may think about hurting your baby and/or you may have scary thoughts that come when you don’t want or that are hard to get rid of.  If you feel out of touch with reality (you see or hear things other people don’t) or if friends/family are worried about your safety or that you might hurt others – get help now.  Options for getting help include:  

      • Go to the local Emergency room 

      • Call 9-1-1 

      • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8225) for free and confidential emotional support. 

  • Severe nausea and throwing up (not like morning sickness) 

    • You feel severely sick to your stomach (nauseous) beyond the normal queasy feeling and throwing up that many moms have in early pregnancy.  

    • You are unable to drink for more than 8 hours or are unable to eat for more than 24 hours. 

    • You throw up and can’t keep water or other fluids in your stomach 

    • You have 

      • Dry mouth 

      • Headaches 

      • Confusion 

      • Fever 

      • Dizziness or lightheadedness 

  • Swelling, redness, pain of your leg 

    • Up to 6 weeks after birth 

    • You have swelling, pain, or tenderness in your leg – usually in your calf or in one leg.  

      • It may or may not hurt when you touch it 

      • It may hurt when you flex your foot to stand or walk 

      • The painful area can also be red, swollen, and warm to the touch. 

    • You have pain, tenderness, or swelling in your arm, usually on just one side of your body. 

  • Overwhelming tiredness 

    • You are suddenly very tired and weak, not like chronic fatigue 

    • You don’t have enough energy to go about your day 

    • No matter how much you sleep, you don’t feel refreshed 

    • You feel so tired that you don’t get up to take care of your baby 

    • You feel sad after having your baby 

  • Vaginal bleeding 

    • You have heavy bleeding – soaking through one or more pads in an hour. 

    • You pass clots bigger than an egg or you pass tissue. 

    • You have vaginal discharge that smells bad 

  • Concerns about your C-Section incision  

    • The area around the incision is red and feels warm to the touch 

    • You have drainage coming from the incision that may smell bad. 

    • The incision starts to pull apart or bleed. 

 

To learn more, visit the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 

Warning Signs