Mental Wellness Warning Signs

Having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby is an indication that something is not right. You need immediate help from a behavioral health professional. For you and your baby’s well-being, please seek immediate help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone trained to help you.

Note: Experiencing these symptoms for 2 weeks or more may indicate a mental wellness concern. It is not unusual for “baby blues” to last up to 14 days. It is best to seek a mental wellness assessment from a behavioral health clinician to address your symptoms early. If you have a primary care provider, they can refer you to a clinician for help as well. You are encouraged to contact Postpartum Support International (PSI) Helpline 1-800-944-4773 for additional support and resources. Options for Black therapists/mental health providers can be found on the following websites:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/african-american

https://www.ABPSI.org

https://TherapyForBlackGirls.com

Medical Warning Signs During Pregnancy and After the Baby

We have compiled the information below from trusted resources. Nothing below should be interpreted as medical advice or an interpretation of signs and symptoms – we are only providing information about signs and symptoms that may indicate that you should seek medical advice and/or make you feel comfortable doing so if you are reluctant or think you might be overreacting.

Warning Signs Early in Pregnancy (34 Weeks or Less):

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor, midwife, or nurse IMMEDIATELY:

• Cramps or severe belly pain

• Spotting that lasts for more than one day

• Bleeding that seems like a period or if you soak a sanitary pad every hour

• Clots, bright red blood, or something that looks like tissue coming from your vagina

• Heavy, smelly vaginal discharge

• Faintness or dizziness

• Painful urination

• Throwing up so much that you cannot keep anything down

• Chills or fever above 100 degrees F

Warning Signs Later in Pregnancy (After 34 Weeks):

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor, midwife, or nurse:

• Cramps or severe belly pain with no relief

• Any vaginal bleeding

• Painful urination

• Chills or fever above 100 degrees F

• Vaginal discharge

• Severe or constant headache

• Faintness or dizziness

• Swelling in the face or hands

• Blurred vision or spots in front of your eyes

• Pressure in your low back, or a feeling that the baby is pushing down

• Mild cramps with or without diarrhea

• Contractions or hardness of your belly, more than four times in an hour, and not always painful

• Less movement from your baby (less than 10 movements in two hours)

• Gush or trickle of water from your vagina (“water breaks”)

• Extreme mood swings that get in the way of your daily life

Cited From Parent Help 123 (2015).  If you want more information click here: https://www.parenthelp123.org/pregnancy/during-pregnancy/warning-signs

Warning Signs Preterm Labor:

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor, midwife, or nurse IMMEDIATELY:

• Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual

• Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down

• Constant low, dull backache

• Belly cramps with or without diarrhea

• Regular or frequent contractions that make your belly tighten like a fist. The contractions may or may not be painful.

• Your Water Breaks

Cited From March Of Dimes “Preterm Labor And Premature Birth (2018).”  If you want more information click here: https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/preterm-labor-and-premature-birth-are-you-at-risk.aspx

Warning Signs Postpartum:

• Were you diagnosed with a high blood pressure/ hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and have a persistent headache, vision changes, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, or swelling in your legs?

• Do you have swelling in one leg that is greater than the other (blood clot)?

• Are you soaking more than two pads in an hour?

• Were you diagnosed with anemia and have a headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue with exertion? 

• Chills or fever above 100 degrees F

Note: This may be an emergency.  Go to the Emergency Room and it’s recommended that you inform your medical provider of your symptoms, on your way.

• Do you have abdominal pain not relieved by post operative medications in addition to foul smelling lochia (the discharge you have after having a baby)?

• Do you have redness or drainage coming from an incision site?

• Do you have a fever of 100.4 or greater? 

  • * Fever associated with cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat/congestion/runny nose are more associated with COVID-19.

Note: If yes to any of these questions, this may be a serious condition.  It’s recommended that you inform your medical provider of your symptoms immediately.

Warning Signs Breastfeeding/Infant Feeding:

• I have swollen breasts, breast or nipple pain when my baby nurses or my baby is having a hard time breast/chestfeeding/bottlefeeding 

• Do you have severe breast pain, hot to the touch, tender, breasts associated with flu-like symptoms (mastitis)?

• Baby has difficulty latching when the trying to breast/chestfeed

Note: If yes to any of these questions, this is a problem that your provider should be supporting you with. It’s recommended that you inform your medical provider of your symptoms immediately.

Warning Signs Breastfeeding/Infant Feeding:

• Does your baby have fewer than 6 wet diapers and 3 dirty diapers, per day, after your baby is 5 days or older? 

• Is your baby sleeping more than 4 hours at a time (Newborn - 2 weeks)

• Is your baby going more than 4 hours at a time without eating (Newborn - 6 weeks, except at night. Please remember that a new baby should be eating 8-12 per day, or as per your pediatricians recommendations) 

• Does your baby have a fever of 100.4 or above? 

Note: If yes to any of these questions, this may be a problem. It’s recommended that you inform your medical provider of these concerns immediately.

• Has your baby demonstrated signs of breathing difficulties such as turning blue, breathing very fast (over 60 breaths a minute) or very slow (less than 30 breaths a minute)? 

Note: This may be an emergency.  Go to the Emergency Room and it’s recommended that you inform your medical provider of your symptoms, on your way.

Warning Signs of Mental Health:

The thought of harming myself or my baby has occurred to me…

• Yes, quite often

• Sometimes

• Hardly ever

• Never 

Note: Having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby is an indication that something is not right.  You need immediate help from a behavioral health professional.  For you and your baby’s well-being please seek immediate help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone trained to help you.