Warning signs and symptoms

Many postpartum complications can be successfully treated if they're identified early.

Seek emergency help if you have:

• Chest pain
• Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Bleeding and soaking through more than one pad an hour or blood clots the size of an egg or bigger
• An incision that isn't healing
• A red or swollen leg that's painful or warm to the touch
• A temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher
• A headache that doesn't get better, even after taking medication, or a bad headache with vision changes