Most postpartum changes are part of recovery, but some symptoms need professional assessment. You do not need to wait for a scheduled postpartum visit if something feels wrong.
Contact a healthcare professional promptly for symptoms that are severe, worsening, or concerning. Seek emergency care for chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, seizures, very heavy bleeding, signs of a blood clot, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly
- Fever or feeling acutely unwell.
- Worsening abdominal, pelvic, breast, perineal or incision pain.
- Redness, warmth, swelling, oozing or other signs of wound infection.
- Heavy or increasing bleeding, large clots, or foul-smelling discharge.
- Pain, swelling or redness in a calf, thigh or groin.
- Painful urination, difficulty urinating or persistent bladder symptoms.
- Persistent or severe mood symptoms, anxiety or intrusive thoughts.
Seek emergency care
Chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizures, fainting, severe bleeding, suspected blood clots, postpartum psychosis symptoms, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby require urgent or emergency care.
This page summarizes general public-health guidance. It is not a diagnosis or a personalized treatment plan.
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