When to Call Your Doctor: New Mom Services at UPMC Magee-Womens in Central Pa.

After giving birth, you will experience many physical and emotional changes. Although most changes will be normal, it is important to recognize signs or symptoms that require medical attention.

You should contact your physician immediately if you have any symptoms that cause concern, including:

• Bleeding that soaks a pad every hour for two hours.
• A foul odor coming from your vagina.
• A fever of 100.4° F or higher.
• Severe abdominal pain or pain at your incision site if you had a cesarean section.
• Swelling, redness, discharge or bleeding from your cesarean incision or episiotomy site.
• An incision that begins to separate.
• Problems urinating, including inability to urinate, burning while urinating or extremely dark urine.
• No bowel movement within four days of giving birth.
• Any type of vision problem.
• Severe headache.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Pain or redness in one or both of your breasts.
• Pain, warmth, tenderness or swelling in your legs, especially the calf area.
• Frequent nausea and vomiting.
• Signs of postpartum depression.

Note: If you are experiencing chest pain or having trouble breathing, call 911. If you are having a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency department.

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It is normal to experience the “baby blues” after giving birth. Learn more about postpartum depression or call your doctor for more information.