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After Delivery: When to Call the Healthcare Provider

Health problems may happen for you or your baby after delivery. Call a healthcare provider if you see any of these signs.  

Watch your baby for these signs

Call your baby’s healthcare provider if your baby has any of these:

  • A rectal or forehead temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by the provider

  • Fewer than 6 heavy, wet diapers a day

  • Skin or whites of the eyes that look yellow

  • Blue lips, tongue, or mouth

  • Skin that is pale, grayish, or bluish

  • Crying for a long time

  • Crying that seems caused by pain

  • Diarrhea

  • Refusing 2 feedings in a row

  • Is inactive or listless

  • Vomiting

  • Blood in the stool or vomit

  • A rash

  • Fluid coming from an ear

  • Trouble breathing

  • A seizure

  • Will not wake up

  • Redness, swelling, or fluid (pus) at the umbilical cord

  • A circumcision that isn't healing or that bleeds

Trust your instincts. Newborns need a lot of care. Call your baby's healthcare provider if you are worried.

Watch your own health for these signs

Call your own healthcare provider if you have any of these:

  • Burning feeling or pain in your breasts

  • Red streaks or hard lumpy areas in your breasts

  • Problems with breastfeeding

  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your healthcare provider

  • Extreme tiredness or body aches, as if you have the flu

  • Pain, fluid, or bleeding from a cesarean incision

  • Feelings of being very sad or anxious

  • Feeling that you don’t want to be with your baby

  • Belly (abdominal) pain that isn’t eased with medicine

  • Fluid from your vagina that has a bad smell

  • Vaginal bleeding that soaks more than 1 pad per hour

  • Seizures

  • Severe headache

  • Swelling in your face or limbs

Online Medical Reviewer: Amy Finke RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC
Online Medical Reviewer: Liora C Adler MD
Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2022
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