Severe bleeding and infection can occur after vaginal or caesarean birth, including after discharge. This list cannot cover every complication. If you rapidly feel weaker, very unwell, or strongly sense that something is wrong, contact emergency care and state that you recently gave birth, even if you are unsure whether the symptom is severe enough.
Key takeaways
- 01
Postnatal and emergency numbers and entrance
- 02
Pads and change times
- 03
Working thermometer
1. Bleeding: measure it with practical observations
Use pads to observe flow and record change times. Seek emergency care now if one or more pads are soaked in an hour, clots are larger than an egg, blood gushes or keeps flowing, or bleeding comes with dizziness, fainting, a racing heart, breathing difficulty, cold pale skin, or overwhelming weakness. Do not wait for the next pad to improve and do not drive yourself.
- Sit or lie safely while help is coming
- Bring used pads only if the facility asks
2. Infection: look beyond the wound
Temperature of 38°C or higher, chills, foul vaginal discharge, increasing abdominal or pelvic pain, a red, hot, swollen, open, or draining wound or perineum, painful urination, fast heartbeat, confusion, or feeling severely ill requires urgent assessment. Infection can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening emergency. Do not use leftover antibiotics or mask symptoms with self-bought medicines.
- Record temperature and time without delaying care
- Report procedures, surgery, and medicines
3. Make the emergency plan before it is needed
Before discharge, save the postnatal ward number, emergency entrance, and local emergency service; ask who to call after hours. Another adult should know the birth date and mode, hospital, blood group if known, current medicines, and where records are kept. Arrange backup baby care for a hospital trip; do not delay treatment while packing for the baby.
- Prepare the opening line: I gave birth on…
- Identify the nearest hospital with obstetric emergency care
Practical checklist
- Postnatal and emergency numbers and entrance
- Pads and change times
- Working thermometer
- Birth date, mode, and current medicines
- Emergency transport person
- Backup baby caregiver
How NIMO built this guide
NIMO writes and localizes each guide for Vietnamese families, then checks key facts against the official references below. The links support the guide; they are not the guide itself.
Edited by NIMOVietnamese expert review pending
Fact-check references
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. For severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, or unusual unresponsiveness, contact a local medical facility or emergency service immediately.