Know the risks
The danger window doesn't end when you leave the hospital.
Most postpartum complications don't happen in the delivery room — they happen days, weeks, or months later, often after everyone's stopped checking in. Here's what to watch for, and exactly what to do.
Chest pain or trouble breathing · Seizure · Heavy bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour or less · Severe headache that won't go away · Vision changes · Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
By condition
Tap a topic to learn the signs
What it is: Dangerously high blood pressure that can develop during pregnancy or up to six weeks (sometimes longer) after delivery — even if your blood pressure was normal throughout pregnancy.
Watch for:
- Severe or persistent headache
- Vision changes — blurriness, spots, light sensitivity
- Swelling in your face, hands, or feet that's sudden or severe
- Upper abdominal pain, especially under the ribs on the right side
- Nausea or vomiting after delivery
- Rapid weight gain in a short period
You have a headache that won't go away with medication, vision changes, or a blood pressure reading at or above 160/110. Call 911 or go to the ER.
If your symptoms are milder but persistent, call your provider the same day — don't wait for your scheduled follow-up. Book a postpartum visit today.
What it is: Excessive bleeding after birth — the leading cause of severe, sudden maternal complications. It can happen right after delivery or show up later, even after you've gone home.
Watch for:
- Soaking through a pad in an hour or less
- Passing blood clots larger than a golf ball
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- A racing heartbeat
- Blurred vision or feeling faint when standing
- Pale, clammy skin
You're soaking a pad in under an hour, passing large clots, or feel faint or your heart is racing. This can escalate quickly — call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Don't drive yourself if you feel faint.
What it is: Infections after birth — from a C-section incision, the uterus, or elsewhere — that can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening body-wide response, if not treated quickly.
Watch for:
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Chills or shaking
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Redness, warmth, swelling, or pus at an incision site
- Confusion or unusual sleepiness
- Fast heartbeat or fast breathing
You have a fever with confusion, fast breathing, or a racing heart — these can be signs of sepsis. Call 911 or go to the ER. A fever alone without those signs still warrants a same-day call to your provider.
What it is: Postpartum depression, anxiety, and other perinatal mood disorders are common, treatable, and not a reflection of you as a parent. They can appear any time in the first year — not just in the "baby blues" weeks.
Watch for:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Intrusive or frightening thoughts
- Feeling disconnected from your baby
- Overwhelming anxiety or panic
- Trouble sleeping even when your baby sleeps
- Withdrawing from people who care about you
You're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7, or call 911.
For non-crisis support, connect with others who understand or talk to a provider.