Signs of an Emergency After Childbirth: Care Instructions

If you have any of these symptoms after childbirth, it could be a sign of an emergency. Call emergency services or your doctor right away.

Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms.

• Thoughts of harming yourself, your baby, or another person.

• Passing out.

• Chest pain.

• Shortness of breath.

• Coughing up blood.

• A seizure.

Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Call your doctor or midwife now if you have any of these symptoms.

• Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.

• New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).

• A severe headache.

• Heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking through one or more pads in an hour, or passing blood clots bigger than an egg).

• A fast or irregular heartbeat.

• New or worse belly pain.

• Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

• Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.

• Swelling in your leg or groin.

• A color change on the leg or groin.

• A fever.

• Redness on your breast.

• Vaginal discharge that smells bad.

• Frequent or painful urination or blood in your urine.

• Feeling sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.

Write down this information. Share it with emergency services or your doctor.

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.