What Postpartum Problems Require a Call to my Doctor?

Question: What Postpartum Problems Require a Call to my Doctor?

Answer: You should call your physician, midwife or other health care provider immediately if any of the following occur:

• Chills or Fever of 101 degrees F or greater.
• Difficulty or pain while urinating, or blood present in urine.
• Blurred vision, headaches or dizziness.
• Pain or excessive swelling around the site where your IV was placed.
• Flu-like symptoms with soreness, pain or red streaks appearing on the breasts.
• Persistent abdominal pain.
• Prolonged pain or itching of the perineum.
• Heavy or bright red bleeding (generally if you must change a soaked pad every 1-2 hours) with or without clots.
• Pain in the chest, legs or feet.
• Any sudden drainage from an episiotomy or c-section incision.
• Vomiting.
• Foul-smelling discharge.
• Excessive crying, frustration and anger or feeling overwhelmed and unable to care for yourself or your child.

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