When to call the doctor – First six weeks after birth

You are bound to feel somewhat under the weather in the days following the birth of your baby. Your body has been through a lot and has healing to do. However the following symptoms are NOT normal and you should contact your doctor immediately:

• No bleeding or discharge at all during first weeks after birth
• Excessive bleeding (more than one pad saturated in an hour)
• Excessive bleeding which is bright red
• Vaginal discharge which smells bad or has large clots
• Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
• Breasts that become painful and swollen again after engorgement has passed.
• Abdominal pain as opposed to discomfort
• Fevers after the second day. (Engorgement may be accompanied by mild fever which should pass quickly)
• Discharge from caesarean wound
• Sharp body pains, especially in chest or legs, which could indicate a blood clot
• Severe depression