Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
After having a baby, it’s just as important to care for your own health and wellbeing as it is to care for your baby.
After giving birth, it’s natural to focus all your energy on your baby—but your own health matters too. While most women recover well, some may experience complications that may need medical attention. Knowing what’s normal—and what’s not—can make all the difference in keeping you safe and well during this important time.
Is It Something Serious?
Most women recover well after birth, but some symptoms can be a sign of a more serious health issue. This page outlines what to look out for and when to get help. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and speak to a healthcare professional.
- Call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re feeling unwell or unsure.
- Call 999 if you or your baby need emergency medical help.
Symptoms That Need Medical Attention
Heavy Bleeding (Haemorrhage)
- Sudden or very heavy blood loss
- Pain in your tummy, pelvis or vaginal area
- Feeling faint or dizzy
Fast heartbeat Possible Infection
- High temperature (above 38°C)
- Shivering or chills
- Pain in your tummy, pelvis or vaginal area
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding that smells unusual
Pre-eclampsia Warning Signs
- Persistent headache
- Changes in vision (e.g. blurred or flashing lights)
- Feeling sick or vomiting
Signs of Sepsis
- Fast heartbeat
- Breathing quickly or feeling short of breath
- Feeling confused or not making sense
- Slurred speech
- Not passing urine for 12–18 hours
- Rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it
- Pale, blotchy, or blue-grey skin (on Brown or Black skin, check palms or soles)
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) You’re more at risk of DVT in the first 6 weeks after birth. Watch for:
- Pain, swelling or tenderness in one leg (often the calf)
- Warm or red skin in the painful area
- Swollen veins that feel hard or sore
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) If you have DVT symptoms and also experience:
- Sudden breathlessness
- Chest pain
Call 999 immediately. These could be signs of a blood clot in the lungs.
Not Sure? If you’re ever unsure, it’s always okay to ask. Speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP or call NHS 111. Getting help early can make all the difference.
For more information about your post delivery body, take a look at these websites;
Your body after the birth – NHS
Your body after the birth (the first 6 weeks) | Tommy’s
Your Mental Health After Birth
It’s completely normal to feel emotional in the days after having a baby. Many new mums experience the ‘baby blues’—feeling tearful, anxious, low or irritable without a clear reason. These feelings usually pass within a few days.
Looking after your own wellbeing is just as important as caring for your baby. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, reach out for support. And if you think you might be experiencing postnatal depression, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP as soon as you can.
Mental health challenges affect up to 1 in 5 people after birth, and 1 in 8 partners too. You’re not alone, and help is available—please don’t struggle in silence.
For more information you might also like to look at;
Having a baby can affect your emotional and mental health | For You | Health for Under 5s
Your emotional health after those early days | Baby | Health for Under 5s
How you feel about your body after birth;
It’s common to have distressing or overwhelming feelings about your body after giving birth, and these feelings can be especially severe for people with pre-existing body image concerns or body dysmorphic disorder during the perinatal period.
Many people experience negative feelings about their post-baby body and feel pressure to “bounce back” or look as if they’ve never been pregnant. Most bodies change after childbirth. Over time some people come to see those changes as a mark of what their body has achieved. Focus on how you feel in the present and on your health and your baby’s needs, because caring for yourself and your newborn is the most important priority right now.
If you’re struggling
If thoughts about your appearance are intense, persistent, or interfering with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, seek help. It is okay and important to ask for professional support when body image problems affect your wellbeing or daily life.
Contact your GP
NHS talking therapies NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression – NHS
Wednesdays child, if you have concerns around an eating disorder. Who & Why – Wednesday’s Child–
