Your Health After Having a Baby

The postpartum period—the weeks following birth—is a joyful and exciting time for mothers. It is a time of transition from pregnancy to motherhood and a critical time for mothers and their babies.

Attending regular checkups and listening to your body during this period is critical for both you and your baby's health. When you take care of yourself, you can better care for your new baby.

What to Expect at Your Postpartum Checkups

Your postpartum visits focus on addressing the physical and mental changes of motherhood and ensuring your long-term health and well-being. Without proper care, preventable complications can become serious health risks. Your postpartum visits include:

• Monitoring your recovery after childbirth
• Addressing any complications that may have occurred during pregnancy
• Chronic disease management
• Nutritional guidance for mothers and baby
• Breastfeeding support
• Mental health screenings and emotional support
• Family planning and reproductive health guidance
• Referrals and supportive services

Urgent Postpartum Warning Signs

If you experience any of these urgent postpartum warning signs, get medical care immediately. These symptoms could be a sign of a life-threatening condition:

• Severe headache that won't go away or gets worse over time
• Dizziness or fainting
• Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
• Extreme swelling of your hands or face
• Fever of over 100.4 F or higher
• Chest pain or fast-beating heart
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or leaking fluid that smells bad after pregnancy
• Severe belly pain that doesn't go away
• Swelling, redness, or pain of your leg
• Trouble breathing
• Severe nausea and throwing up (not like morning sickness)
• Overwhelming tiredness
• Changes in your vision

Hear Personal Stories of Pregnancy-Related Complications

Content for this site is adapted with permission from Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax County, Virginia.