Before I became a doula, I had my first baby. I had an unplanned and difficult cesarean with her after a 36 hour induction and if I’m being completely honest, I don’t remember a whole lot of those initial days and weeks postpartum. I attribute that to just being so overwhelmed and exhausted in that time period, so much so that my brain didn’t even hold the memories of it very well. What I do remember clearly, though, was feeling like there was so much that I didn’t know about the postpartum period, specifically what was normal and what were postpartum red flags. I had no idea what to look out for or what things might help my recovery. As a result, I spent a lot of time going down the dangerous Google rabbit hole. This blog is to hopefully help you avoid doing just that during your own postpartum experience.
What’s Normal for Postpartum?
First, let’s talk about the basics. Some things are just part of the postpartum process. It’s completely normal to experience:
–Bleeding: Known as lochia, this will likely continue for a few weeks. It starts heavy and red, then lightens to pink and eventually fades to yellowish-white. It’s also common and normal for there to be clots, sometimes as big as a golf ball.
–Cramps: As your uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size, you may feel cramps, especially while breastfeeding.
–Emotional ups and downs: The “baby blues” hit many parents in the first couple of weeks. Hormones, sleep deprivation, and adjusting to new responsibilities can all contribute to mood swings.
What are Postpartum Red Flags?
Now, let’s address what you shouldn’t ignore. These postpartum red flags require medical attention:
–Heavy bleeding: If you’re soaking through more than one pad an hour or passing large blood clots larger than a golf ball, contact your healthcare provider.
–Severe pain: Persistent pain in the pelvic region, chest, or legs could indicate an infection, blood clot, or other complications.
–Fever: A fever over 100.4°F, especially with chills, may signal an infection, whether from your stitches, mastitis, or another area.
–Mental health: Feelings of deep sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness that worsen or just don’t improve may indicate postpartum depression and/or anxiety. Please reach out to a healthcare provider if this sounds familiar.
Postpartum recovery can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to second-guess every symptom. But knowing what’s normal and what’s not can help reduce unnecessary stress. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t rely on Dr. Google—reach out to a professional who can guide you with confidence. Give yourself grace, ask questions, and seek support (from a Doulas of Utah Postpartum Doula, for instance!) when you need it.
