Postpartum Warning Signs Every New Mom Should Know

Throughout pregnancy, you are taken care of so well. You have frequent OB visits, you’re getting check-ins constantly, and then you deliver your baby. In the hospital, you’ll be checked on frequently (most hospitals have hourly rounding policies). But once you get home you don’t get seen again until 6 weeks postpartum. Your baby will then be the one who is getting checked on frequently. Since you will not be getting frequent checks you should know what to look out for in case of an emergency. Here are postpartum warning signs you need to know before you leave the hospital.

Your body goes through a lot of changes after having a baby and for a new mom, it is hard to know what is normal and what is not. Knowing the postpartum warning signs can help save your life if any of them occur. If you notice any of these symptoms you can either call 911, go to the hospital, or notify your OB/GYN immediately.

A lot of new moms don’t realize you can still have problems from your pregnancy and delivery once you get home. So I have compiled a list of postpartum warning signs every new mom should know. 

DISCLAIMER: this is not meant to be medical advice. I am a nurse but I am not your nurse. Always consult with your OB/GYN for any medical questions or concerns you may have. This blog post is for educational purposes only.

Who Am I?

I’m Courtney, a postpartum and newborn nurse. I have a passion for educating my patients while at work and saw a need for educating new moms on postpartum and mom life. Many moms are educated about pregnancy, labor, and delivery but not educated to prepare for postpartum as well. 

Don’t forget to follow @lifewithcourtneyrn on Instagram for more postpartum, newborn, and mom life education and behind-the-scenes fun!

If you’re currently pregnant and interested in breastfeeding check out these blog posts: Breastfeeding Essentials You Can’t Live Without and 8 Breastfeeding Positions all New Moms Should Know.

What Are The Most Common Postpartum Warning Signs?

These are signs that are necessary for new moms to know. Some of the disorders associated with these signs can be deadly if not treated, so always notify your doctor immediately or go to the hospital if you notice any of these warning signs.

Chest Pain

If you have any kind of chest pain postpartum you need to immediately be seen. Chest pain is a scary symptom at any time and should always be checked out by a provider.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath again is a symptom that needs to be addressed whether you are postpartum or not. If you are having trouble breathing go straight to the ED or call 911. If you are coughing up blood that is also concerning especially if with shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is a symptom of a pulmonary embolism and postpartum women have an increased risk for blood clots.

Seizures

Seizures can occur in the disorder Eclampsia. This is a pregnancy disorder but can also occur postpartum. Eclampsia is very dangerous and symptoms include seizures which is why a seizure postpartum needs to be seen right away. You can develop eclampsia after preeclampsia which is when you have high blood pressure and/or elevated protein in your urine. If you have a seizure make sure your family knows to call 911 immediately.

Thoughts of Hurting Yourself or Someone Else

Postpartum blues are normal and typically last 1-2 weeks. This is a time when you may feel sad, overwhelmed, or cry. If it lasts longer than 2 weeks, you notice you’re more sad than happy, or begin having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, call 911, go to the hospital, or call your doctor immediately. 

If you begin to feel like you are having depression and not the baby blues, call in reinforcements. Tell your family, your partner, and your doctor about these feelings before you begin having thoughts of harm. And if you begin having thoughts of harming the baby lay the baby in a safe place like their crib and call 911 immediately.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Bleeding is very normal after you have a baby, whether it is a c-section or vaginal delivery. It typically lasts 2-6 weeks. This is not concerning. What is concerning and warrants immediate attention is increased bleeding. 

If you are soaking a pad in 1 hour or less or passing blood clots the size of an egg or bigger that could be a sign of a hemorrhage (excessive bleeding). Call your OB or go straight to the hospital. 

Other signs of losing too much blood could include having heart palpitations, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, passing out, and having pale skin. 

Hemorrhaging can occur weeks after your delivery so continue to watch your bleeding and wear only pads, not tampons.

Incision That is Not Healing or Opens Up

You will want to monitor your c-section incision daily when you get home from the hospital. If you notice it is getting red, warm to the touch, or draining fluids that is concerning for an infection. You’ll want to call your doctor to be seen. 

An open c-section incision warrants being seen as soon as possible.

If you had a vaginal delivery and had a tear or episiotomy, you will want to pay close attention to that as it heals as well to monitor for infection or the wound opening up. If you notice that your postpartum tears are not healing or showing signs of infection notify your OB/GYN.

Signs of a Blood Clot

This is a postpartum warning sign that needs to be evaluated immediately. Postpartum women are at an increased risk of developing blood clots. Especially if you are not moving around as much and remaining in bed or on the couch. Postpartum moms are at risk for a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). That is a blood clot that occurs in a large vein, usually, it is in the leg. 

Signs of a blood clot include 

• Redness, swelling, pain, and warmth in your leg. 
• This typically occurs in just one leg at a time which will be a red flag. 

Blood clots can break off and travel to other areas of the body such as the lungs, heart, or brain. A blood clot in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism. 

Signs of a blood clot in your lungs:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing (may include coughing up blood)
• Chest pain especially when breathing in
• Lightheadedness 

A blood clot in your brain could cause a stroke. Because pregnancy increases your risk for blood clots you want to be aware of stroke symptoms as well. 

Signs of a stroke:

• Facial weakness/drooping
• Weakness/numbness in your arms and legs (can be localized to one side)
• Slurred speech 
• Vision changes 
• Difficulty walking

Fever

Fever of 100.4 or greater is a sign of postpartum infection and when you’re it needs to be evaluated immediately. Call your OB and tell them you have a fever and notify them of any other symptoms you may be having. 

Here are some infections that can cause fevers postpartum:

• Mastitis: this is when you get an infection in your breast tissue and it can cause flu-like symptoms including a fever
• C-section incision infection 
• Uterus infection: this occurs when you get an infection in your uterus. Symptoms include increased abdominal pain, fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Preeclampsia Signs Postpartum

Preeclampsia can occur even after you deliver your baby. It is an emergency and needs to be treated as soon as possible. These are the symptoms you need to look out for postpartum:

• Severe headache that does not go away even after taking medication 
• Vision changes 
• Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet 
• Upper abdominal pain on the right side 
• Blood pressure of 160/110 or greater (The blood pressure parameters the hospital I delivered at goes by).

Preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia if you have a seizure. Most doctors will admit you to the hospital to put you on a magnesium sulfate infusion to help prevent seizures with your preeclampsia.

What Do I Say When I Call For Help for Postpartum Warning Signs?

Whether you call your OB, 911, or go to the emergency room you always want to let them know you recently had a baby. You can say “I had my baby on ____ and I am currently having these symptoms ____.” That way they know you are postpartum and can evaluate you appropriately.

Postpartum Warning Signs

At the time of discharge from the hospital you get a lot of information and education. When you get home you’re in a little bubble with your baby and focusing solely on learning how to care for this new human. Don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. You know your body better than anyone else, if something is off or concerning, notify your doctor right away. Always trust your instincts. If you have any of the postpartum warning signs listed above be sure to seek help immediately. 

As always if you have any medical questions consult with your OB/GYN.

You can download the AWHONN post-birth warning signs flyer here.

As you are preparing to go to the hospital and give birth check out the posts The Ultimate Labor and Delivery Hospital Bag Checklist and the Postpartum Essentials You’ll Regret Not Having for Mom and Baby.

You’ll need to monitor yourself for these symptoms postpartum, but you should remember to enjoy your time with your sweet baby too! Know these things can happen and be conscious of how you are feeling and snuggle that sweet newborn as much as you can. Newborns don’t keep. Congratulations to you mama!