Your medical provider considers the first 4-6 weeks after you give birth to be the “fourth trimester”, or the postpartum period. Just as your body went through many changes during your pregnancy, it must also undergo many changes to return to normal after the birth of your baby.
You probably saw your provider frequently during the last month of your pregnancy yet in our current model of care, you may not see your physician, midwife or nurse practitioner for an entire 6 weeks after the baby is born. There are some very important warning signs that you should be aware of, especially during the first two weeks postpartum. It is advisable to contact your provider for guidance if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden onset of headaches that do not improve with rest, hydration and Tylenol
- Visual changes like seeing spots or blurred vision
- Bright red vaginal bleeding or an increase in discharge or strong odor to your vaginal discharge
- Increased drainage from a cesarean section wound, redness around the site, or odor to the drainage
- A fever over 100.4
- Severe or persistent pain in your belly, pelvis or the lips of your vagina
- Pain or soreness where your episiotomy or tear was repaired that is getting worse instead of better
- Pain, tenderness, warmth, swelling or redness in your legs
- Persistent vomiting, diarrhea or constipation
- Redness or swelling over the site of where an IV was inserted
- You have pain, tenderness or streaking of an area on your breast that is not relieved by warm soaks and nursing
- Flu-like symptoms
- Problems being able to pee,dark urine even if you are drinking enough water each day, or pain when you pass urine (a stinging sensation when urine passes over areas of abrasion or laceration is normal)
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Author
Dr. Cheryl Sharp, Chief Content Officer
Cheryl is a midwife and women's health nurse practitioner who has been caring for women, newborns, and families more than 30 years. She views the opportunity to journey with women through their pregnancy and beyond as a sacred privilege.