The postnatal symptoms you should never ignore
Juliet Blank
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Just as there are things to be on alert for during your pregnancy, the same goes for once you give birth. So if you're heading towards your due date or have just given birth (congrats!), here are some key postnatal symptoms every new parent should be aware of ...
During your pregnancy you're carefully monitored at each and every midwife appointment.
From having your wee dipsticked what feels like every five minutes to your blood pressure checked, it's also drummed into you to count those kicks, particularly in the third trimester. Warning signs and symptoms are very much part of every conversation – and rightly so!
Once you've had your baby, it can all feel like a bit of a whirlwind. Before you know it you're discharged from hospital and in sole charge of a tiny, wriggly, wailing little newborn. Eek.
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Your focus is very much on him or her ... but don't forget to look after yourself, too.
After all, a human being has come out of you somehow – and although there are a whole host of 'normal' postnatal symptoms to be experiencing (bleeding, aches and pains, discomfort down there), there are some things that could mean you need medical help.
Netmums' official midwife, Leah Hazard, agrees:
'The postnatal period can be a confusing time. When exhaustion, bleeding and soreness become the new normal, it can be tricky to tell if you’re experiencing a sign of illness or infection that needs immediate attention.
'As always, if you’re concerned or you feel like something just isn’t right with your health, contact your midwife or GP as soon as possible.'
In the meantime, here’s a rundown of a few of the things Leah says you should NEVER ignore ...
1. A fever
'In most healthy women, a normal body temperature is between 36.0 and 37.5 degrees,' says Leah.
'But, if your temperature is outside this range, and especially if you are feeling hot and cold, chilled, shivery or shaky, you should seek medical advice,' she says.
Although not always the case, a fever could be a sign of sepsis – an infection that's spreading round your body from one area, fast. It needs antibiotics and quick diagnosis.
2. Constant pain
If you've had a caesarean section, forceps birth or stitches, it can be normal to feel some pain at the surgical site for the first few postnatal days.
'Your midwife or doctor can advise you about which painkillers are safest to take during that time,' says Leah.
Regardless of how you gave birth, you may also experience ‘afterpains’ – crampy feelings in your abdomen, often worse when you're breastfeeding. This is your uterus’s way of contracting back down to its pre-pregnancy size and is also normal, explains Leah.
'However, if you experience constant abdominal pain that does not ease, seek help,' she says.
'Likewise, if your stitches don’t begin to feel better after a few days, or if they suddenly feel much more tender and painful after a period of improvement, contact your midwife or GP.'
3. Headache
Exhaustion and dehydration can often cause a mild headache in postnatal women.
'However, if you have a sudden, strong or persistent headache that does not ease despite drinking lots of fluids and taking simple painkillers, you should consult your midwife or GP,' says Leah.
'Particularly if this is accompanied by visual disturbances, fever, flu-like symptoms or tingling or numbness along one side of your face or body.'
Causes can range from high blood pressure and post-anaesthetic complications to viral or bacterial infections, but regardless of the origin, something that you consider as a severe headache should always be reviewed by a medical professional.
4. A change in your bleeding (that worries you)
After giving birth it's normal to bleed, explains Leah: 'Usually, bleeding is heavier and fresher for the first few days; it may change from bright red to dark red, and be like a heavy period that requires you to change pads every few hours.
'You may have very small clotty bits and there should be a normal but not offensive odour.
'Usually, the bleeding gets lighter in amount and darker in colour after the first week, and it can be normal to have a small amount of dark red or brown blood on and off for a month or so,' says Leah.
However, seek help if you experience any of the following, she says:
- Sudden rush of heavy, fresh bleeding that does not stop. In this case, dial 999.
- Clots that are, roughly speaking, larger than a 50 pence coin, especially if they can’t be easily broken up and appear to contain solid tissue or bits of amniotic membrane.
- Bleeding that has a foul smell.
- Bleeding that gets much heavier for no apparent reason when it had previously been getting lighter. Trust your own judgment: if you’re worried, seek advice.
5. Constantly low mood or thoughts of harming your baby
We've all heard about the baby blues kicking in as hormones and tiredness come into play a few days after giving birth.
'However, if you feel constantly down, anxious or hopeless, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, do seek help from your GP, midwife or health visitor,' says Leah.
'They can listen to your concerns and may refer you to a specialist perinatal mental health team for further support if needed.'
6. Signs of mastitis
If you’re breastfeeding, you may feel tender and engorged at times, especially when your milk supply establishes itself after the first few postnatal days.
'However, if your breasts have areas that are hot, red, hard and painful to touch, you should seek help,' says Leah.
'Especially if this is accompanied by a fever or generally feeling unwell. You may have mastitis, an infection that requires antibiotic treatment.'
There are also over-the-counter remedies that can help to soothe the symptoms such as warming or cooling pad that can be applied to the breast. We like Lansinoh's Therapearl 3-in-1 treatment, you can buy it here at Amazon for around £9.95.
Learn more about what you can expect from your newborn baby here.
Do bear in mind that the above points are a quick guide to some of the more concerning signs and symptoms postnatal women can experience.
It’s a start, but it’s not a comprehensive list of all of the problems that might be encountered in the first days and weeks after birth.
If you think something isn’t right with your health or your baby’s health, trust your intuition and seek help straight away – it’s always better to be cautious than to miss something that needs attention and might even be easily treated.
There's also always help and support waiting in our Drop-In Clinic, see below ...
Need advice?
Our health visitors and nursery nurses are on line Monday to Friday evenings to answer your queries on feeding, sleep and child health.
And let us know how you're getting on as a new mum, too. Have you experienced any odd things since giving birth? Join in the new mum chat below ...
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