Common health problems after birth

After having your baby, some new mums may experience health problems. Take a look at some of the most common health problems experienced after birth alongside the help and support you can get from your midwife.

Not being able to pass urine within 6 hours of birth

What this could mean: Urine infection or retention

What might your midwife do to help?: Advise you to take a warm bath or shower. If this does not work, they may need to insert a catheter.

Backache

What this could mean: Muscular/skeletal problem

What might your midwife do to help?: Give general advice on posture and lifting techniques. You may be offered pain relief.

Pain, bad smell, discomfort or stinging in the vaginal or surrounding area (perineum)

What this could mean: Infection

What might your midwife do to help?: Check your perineum and check for signs of infection or problems with healing. Advise use of ice/cooling packs and paracetamol. If needed, refer for further tests.

Headache

What this could mean: Tiredness and or dehydration. Complication following epidural. Raised blood pressure

What might your midwife do to help?: Advise you to increase your fluid intake. Advise you if you had epidural/spinal anaesthesia to report a severe headache. Check your blood pressure. For tension/migraine headaches, offer you advice on relaxation and avoiding factors linked with headaches.

Low mood, anxiety, restlessness, tearfulness and tiredness (fatigue)

What this could mean: Baby blues, postnatal depression

What might your midwife do to help?: Encourage you to take gentle exercise. Take time to rest. Get help with caring for your baby and talk to someone. Make sure you have access to support networks. If there is no improvement after 10 to 14 days, you may need further professional assessment.

Persistent tiredness

What this could mean: Anaemia

What might your midwife do to help?: Ask about your general well-being and offer advice on diet and exercise. Check for an underlying cause. Measure iron levels and, if low, think about prescribing iron supplements.

Not being able to control when you pass urine

What this could mean: Urinary incontinence

What might your midwife do to help?: Advise how to do pelvic floor exercises. If symptoms do not improve, refer you for further treatment

Difficulty passing poo

What might your midwife do to help?: Assess diet and fluid intake. If change in diet does not work, advise use of a laxative

Rectal pain or bleeding

What might your midwife do to help?: Offer to check rectal area. Offer treatments and further assessment if needed. Advise increase in fluid intake and fibre in your diet to avoid constipation

Not being able to control passing poo

What might your midwife do to help?: Assess severity, duration and frequency of problem. If symptoms continue reassess and, if needed, refer you for medical advice

Discomfort/pain during sexual intercourse

What might your midwife do to help?: Offer to check your perineum. Advise use of water-based lubricant. If problem persists, consider further assessment

Potentially serious health conditions

Sudden or very heavy blood loss, or blood loss and signs/symptoms of shock, including faintness, dizziness, aware of your heart beating fast (tachycardia) and change in consciousness

What this could mean: Haemorrhage

What should happen: Call 999

Offensive/excessive vaginal bleeding or discharge, tender tummy (abdomen) or fever

What this could mean: Haemorrhage or infection

What should happen: Contact Maternity Assessment Unit

Fever, shivering, tummy (abdominal) pain and/or offensive vaginal bleeding or discharge

What this could mean: Infection- Take your temperature and if it is more than 38°C, contact the Maternity Assessment Unit

What should happen: Contact Maternity Assessment Unit

Severe or persistent headache and/or one or more of changes in your vision/feeling sick (nausea)/being sick (vomiting)

What this could mean: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia- Your blood pressure needs to be checked urgently. You may need further tests and treatment

What should happen: Contact Maternity Assessment Unit

Shortness of breath or chest pain

What this could mean: Pulmonary embolism (blood clot)

What should happen: Call 999

Pain, redness or swelling in one of your legs

What this could mean: Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)

What should happen: Contact Maternity Assessment Unit