Key points
- If you experience an urgent maternal warning sign during or in the year after pregnancy, get medical care immediately.
- If you experience something that seems unusual or is worrying you, talk to your health care provider.
Share Your Concerns
Remember
If you are pregnant or gave birth within the last year, it is important to talk to your health care provider about anything that doesn't feel right.
Changes may be physical, but may also include feelings of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that make it hard to complete daily care activities for yourself, your baby, or others.
You know your body best. If something seems unusual or is worrying you, don't ignore it. Talk to your health care provider.
During pregnancy
Discuss your health history with your doctor during your pregnancy. Make a plan for managing any problems that may arise based on your risk factors.
After pregnancy
While your new baby needs a lot of attention and care, it's important to remain aware of your own body and take care of yourself, too. You may feel tired and have some pain, particularly in the first few weeks after having a baby, but there are some symptoms that could be signs of more serious problems.
Talk to your health care provider
When discussing concerns with your health care provider, it's important to say you are pregnant or were pregnant in the past year. Describe any other health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, along with any complications you experienced with your pregnancy or delivery. If you can, bring a friend or family member with you for support and to help you ask the questions you need answered.
Starting the Conversation
Here is a guide to help you start the conversation:
- Thank you for seeing me. I am/I was recently pregnant. The date of my last period/delivery was ________ and I'm having serious concerns about my health that I'd like to talk to you about.
- I have been having __________ (insert symptoms) that feel like __________ (describe in detail) and have been lasting _________ (number of hours/days).
Review the urgent maternal warning signs and how to describe them.
Sample questions to ask your doctor:
- What could these symptoms mean?
- Is there a test I can have to rule out a serious problem?
- At what point should I consider going to the emergency room or calling 911?
Tips
- Bring this conversation starter and any additional questions you want to ask to your provider.
- Be sure to tell them that you are pregnant or have been pregnant within a year.
- Tell your provider what medication you are currently taking or have recently taken.
- Take notes and ask follow-up questions. Clarify anything you didn't understand.
Be sure your provider schedules you for postpartum checkups after delivery. Although there’s no sure way to avoid postpartum complications, staying in touch with your doctor and completing follow-up appointments can help protect your health.