Your postpartum recovery is critical to your overall health and wellbeing, so keeping an eye on how you feel and how your body responds is essential. That includes any symptoms you may be experiencing that may indicate a postpartum complication. Black women and birthing people are at higher risk for complications after childbirth, compared to other racial and ethnic groups. It’s important to know the warning signs to prevent serious health issues like postpartum preeclampsia, which affects Black women 2-4 times more often than other groups. Early detection is particularly important for Black birthing people in the following groups :
- Age 35 or older
- Previous pregnancy or birth problems
- Chronic conditions like high blood pressure
Signs of Postpartum Complications
Let’s review some of the signs and symptoms of postpartum complications. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your provider or seek emergency care immediately.
- Severe pain: Pain in your stomach or pelvic area that does not improve with medication can be a sign of complications such as infections or excessive bleeding.
- Heavy bleeding: Soaking through one or more pads in an hour, passing clots larger than the size of an egg, or passing tissue could be a sign of a postpartum hemorrhage.
- Signs of an infection, including:
- A fever over 100.4°F
- Chills
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Painful, red areas on the breasts (a sign of mastitis)
- Drainage, redness and swelling, or C-section site pain
- Leg pain and swelling: Increased swelling, redness, and leg pain can signal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires emergency care.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain could signal a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs), which requires immediate emergency care.
- High blood pressure: A reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered outside of the normal range and can signal postpartum preeclampsia.
- Persistent headaches: Intense, constant headaches and vision changes may also be caused by postpartum preeclampsia.
Prioritizing your postpartum care
Your postpartum recovery is a critical part of your overall health and wellbeing. Attending postpartum visits is a significant step in the healing process. New guidelines recommend seeing your prenatal provider within three weeks of giving birth. Contact your provider before your three-week checkup if you have any concerns or symptoms. You may be scheduled for a visit earlier than three weeks if you’ve had any complications during the labor and birth, such as preeclampsia. Getting help early can help prevent other health issues. Check out our article on the latest guidelines for postpartum care to learn more!
Share Your Postpartum Recovery Plan
Ask trusted family and friends to help watch for warning signs you might miss. Create a postpartum recovery plan and share it with people you trust so they can help if needed. Include:
- Key details about your pregnancy and birth (including any new diagnoses or complications)
- Your healthcare providers’ names and contact information
- Dates of upcoming checkups
- Nearest hospital and urgent care locations and contact details
Be your own advocate
You are your health’s first line of defense. Listen to your body and talk to your provider if something feels wrong or if you’re unsure about any symptoms. If you feel you aren’t being heard, ask a trusted friend or family member for their support. Being your own health advocate can help you stay on top of your postpartum care and ensure you heal and recover.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Care Team
Sources
- Signs and Symptoms of Urgent Maternal Warnings, Center for Disease Control, CDC, May 15, 2024 https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html
