Guide
Postpartum warning signs: when to see a doctor
Last updated: July 2026
Most recoveries are uncomfortable but normal. Some are not. Knowing the difference, and trusting yourself when something feels wrong, can keep you and your baby safe. This is a plain list of the signs that mean get help now, not later. When in doubt, always call. No one will mind.
For you: call a doctor now if you have
- Heavy bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour, or large clots
- A fever, or feeling shivery and unwell
- Severe pain, or pain that is getting worse instead of better
- A bad headache, changes in your vision, or swelling in your face and hands
- Chest pain, trouble breathing, or a hot, painful, swollen area on your leg
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- A red, hot, painful area on your breast with flu-like feelings
- Trouble passing urine, or leaking that does not improve
This is an emergency
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or you feel you cannot cope, this is urgent and you are not alone. Tell someone you trust and contact a health professional or emergency service today. Postnatal depression and anxiety are common and treatable.
For your baby: seek care if they
- Are feeding much less than usual, or are hard to wake for feeds
- Have a fever, or feel unusually cold
- Have far fewer wet or dirty nappies than normal
- Are breathing fast, grunting, or struggling to breathe
- Are more yellow in the skin or eyes, or very pale
- Are floppy, unusually still, or crying in a way that is not like them
You know your baby better than anyone. If your instinct says something is wrong, act on it. It is always better to be checked and reassured than to wait.
Common questions
What are the warning signs after giving birth?
When should I take my newborn to a doctor?
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