Learn these Post-Birth Warning Signs

Did you know more than half of maternal deaths in the U.S. happen after birth?

An increasing number of women are dying from pregnancy and birth-related problems. While some women may be at higher risk, all women are potentially at risk of developing complications after delivery!

This may seem scary, but it is important to know to help save lives.

One of the best things mom can do for her baby is to take care of herself post-birth.

Families need healthy moms.  Often friends and family ask "how is the baby?" and don't always ask "how are you doing, mom?"  Parents often are so concerned with caring for a new baby, they may not take care of their own physical and emotional health.

Would you know how to recognize a health issue once you were at home with baby after birth?  

What if your leg started hurting, or it was hard to breathe? Would you dismiss them as nothing, or hope they went away? 

Knowing how to recognize and respond to these specific signs and symptoms may help save your life!

Trust your instincts. If you feel something is not quite right, always call your health care provider, just to make sure. 

The acronym POSTBIRTH is a way for all of us — moms, partners, friends, grandparents, nurses — to remember the warning signs and know which steps to take.

• Pain in chest
• Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
• Bleeding, soaking through one pad/hour, or blood clots the size of an egg or bigger
• Incision that is not healing
• Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch
• Temperature of 100.4°F or higher
• Headache that does not get better, even after taking medicine, or bad headache with vision changes

If you see a sign in the POST section, call 911.

If you see a sign in the BIRTH section, call your healthcare provider.

If you can't reach them, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Inform anyone you call — 911, emergency room, urgent-care provider, or your healthcare provider--that you have given birth in the last year.

Have a friend who has just given birth?

Ask her how she's doing, and share #POSTBIRTH!