Monitoring your health after your baby’s delivery

The time after your baby is born is known as the postpartum period. This period lasts for up to 12 months after delivery. During this time, you can expect that your body will change as it returns to its non-pregnant condition. 

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Common postpartum concerns

Postpartum changes are different for each person. For example, if you had heartburn while you were pregnant, it may go away after delivery. But other symptoms, such as hemorrhoids, could still cause problems after your baby is born.

Many minor postpartum problems can be managed at home. For example, home treatment is usually all that's needed to relieve mild discomfort from hemorrhoids or constipation. If you have a problem and your doctor gives you specific instructions to follow, be sure to follow those instructions.

It's common to need some time to get back to your normal activities. It's important to focus on your healing for the first six weeks. Start other activities slowly as you feel stronger. Ask your doctor when it's okay for you to have vaginal sex again. If you had any problems during your pregnancy or during labor or delivery, your doctor may give you more specific instructions about activities.

When to seek help

It's likely you won't have serious health problems after giving birth. However, if you have any of the symptoms  below, you should talk to your doctor or midwife about them.

Blood clots

The risk of blood clots increases during and after pregnancy. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain or swelling in your arm or leg. Or you may have warmth or redness or any change in color in your arm or leg. These are symptoms of a blood clot in your arm or leg (deep vein thrombosis).
  • Sudden chest pain, trouble breathing, and coughing up blood. These are symptoms of a blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism).
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding. This means that you are soaking through one or more pads in an hour. Or you pass blood clots bigger than an egg.
  • Feeling very tired or dizzy and lightheaded.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.
Postpartum hemorrhage

This is severe bleeding from childbirth or bleeding that causes other symptoms of too much blood loss. Symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage may include:

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding. This means that you are soaking through one or more pads in an hour. Or you pass blood clots bigger than an egg.
  • Feeling very tired or dizzy and lightheaded.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.
Infection

Symptoms may include:

  • Fever.
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness from an incision or wound.
  • New or worse pain in your belly.
  • Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
  • Urinary problems, such as frequent or painful urination or blood in your urine.
Preeclampsia

This usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and goes away after the baby is born. But in rare cases, preeclampsia may not show up until after childbirth. Symptoms of preeclampsia may include:

  • Sudden swelling in your face, hands, or feet.
  • Rapid weight gain—more than 2 lb (0.9 kg) a week.
  • A severe headache.
  • Vision problems such as blurred or double vision.
  • Pain in the upper right belly.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy

This problem may occur during late pregnancy or after childbirth. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, or feeling very tired.

Postpartum mood disorders

If you are tearful, sad, or anxious, or if you have big mood swings, talk to your doctor or midwife. You can also call the Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 right away.