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 your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line 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 light-headed.
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
- A fever.
- Redness on your breast.
- Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
- Feeling sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
Write down this information. Share it with emergency services or your doctor.
Date you gave birth:
Date and time your symptoms started:
Symptoms you are having:
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter E565 in the search box to learn more about "Signs of an Emergency After Childbirth: Care Instructions".
Adaptation Date: 12/13/2023
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
