Signs of Infection or Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) in the Early Postpartum Period
In the early days after birth, it can be hard to know what’s normal and what isn’t.
Many parents expect to feel sore, emotional, exhausted and uncomfortable — and while tenderness and fatigue are common, feeling unwell is not something you should ignore. I often find parents assume they’re meant to “feel like shit” after birth, and as a result, delay seeking help.
Knowing the signs of infection or postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is important. While these complications are not extremely common, early assessment and treatment makes a big difference and reduces the impact on your body.
If your gut instinct tells you something isn’t right, listen to it. You are not overreacting.
Where You Can Get Help
Your local maternity hospital A&E (24 hours a day)
Your maternity care provider (midwife or obstetrician)
Your GP
💕 If you need assessment, you can keep your baby with you. In many cases, treatment may be as simple as antibiotics, rest, and good hydration. Breastfeeding can usually continue — just let your doctor know you are breastfeeding so appropriate medication can be prescribed.
General Signs of Infection or PPH Postpartum
Contact your care provider urgently if you experience any of the following:
High temperature or chills
Feeling dizzy, faint, or lightheaded
Feeling generally unwell or flu-like
Rapid heartbeat
Increasing pain rather than gradual improvement
Sudden increase in bleeding
Passing large clots (larger than a golf ball)
Bleeding that soaks a maternity pad within an hour
A foul or offensive smell from vaginal bleeding
Abdominal pain or uterine tenderness
Intuition that something is wrong
Prompt treatment reduces recovery time and prevents more serious complications.
Vaginal Bleeding (Lochia): What’s Normal and What’s Not
After birth, vaginal bleeding (lochia) is normal for all birthing parents — whether you had a vaginal or caesarean birth.
Normal lochia typically:
Is like a heavy period for up to 7–10 days
Gradually changes from bright red → dark red → pink → brown → yellowish-white
Slowly reduces over several weeks
Call your care provider if:
Bleeding becomes heavier instead of lighter
You soak a pad in under an hour
You pass large clots
The bleeding has a strong, unpleasant smell
These can be signs of infection or postpartum haemorrhage.
Signs of Infection After a Caesarean Birth
If you have had a caesarean birth, it’s important to check your incision daily.
Seek medical advice if you notice:
Redness spreading around the incision
Increased pain or swelling
Discharge, pus, or a bad smell
The wound feeling hot to touch
Fever or flu-like symptoms
Some tenderness and tightness are normal, especially with movement or tight clothing. Numbness around the scar is also common and may fade over time — or may not.
Pain medication is usually required for the first 7–10 days. If you are still needing regular pain relief at six weeks postpartum, speak to your care provider.
Vaginal Birth, Stitches & Perineal Healing
After a vaginal birth, vaginal and perineal tenderness is normal — particularly if you had stitches or an instrumental birth.
Normal care includes:
Changing maternity pads regularly
Daily showers or sitz baths (no soap on the perineum)
Gentle movement and avoiding heavy lifting for 6 weeks
Contact your care provider if you notice:
Increasing pain
A foul smell
Excessive bleeding
Redness, swelling, or discharge around stitches
Breast Infections (Mastitis)
Regardless of how you are feeding your baby, your milk will come in. This means breast infections can occur.
Signs to watch for include:
Red, sore, or hot areas on the breast
Flu-like symptoms
Fever or chills
Breast pain that worsens rather than improves
Early treatment is important and often allows you to continue breastfeeding comfortably.
Trust Yourself
Postpartum recovery is not meant to feel easy — but it also isn’t meant to feel dangerous, overwhelming, or like something is “very wrong.”
If something doesn’t feel right:
Trust your instincts
Ask for assessment
Seek help early
You deserve care, support, and reassurance during this vulnerable time. Getting checked does not mean you’ve failed — it means you’re looking after yourself so you can recover well and care for your baby.
If you ever feel unsure, reach out. You are not wasting anyone’s time.
Jen x
