The time after pregnancy can bring many physical and emotional changes. While many postpartum symptoms are part of normal recovery, some warning signs may indicate a serious health concern that requires urgent medical attention.
Certain postpartum complications can develop days, weeks or even up to 12 months after pregnancy and may be life-threatening if not recognized early. Understanding the signs and symptoms to watch for can help individuals, families and healthcare providers know when to seek care, support timely assessment, and reduce the risk of severe maternal illness and death related to postpartum complications.
Postpartum Warning Signs Information Sheets for Patients and Providers
These information sheets support early recognition and response to postpartum warning signs for both patients and healthcare providers. They were developed with contributions from clinicians, patients with lived experience, and subject matter experts.
- Patient Information Sheet: Designed for individuals who have been pregnant, experienced a pregnancy loss, or given birth in the past 12 months. The resource helps people recognize concerning symptoms and understand when to seek medical care.
Available in: English, French (Français), Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), Arabic (عربى), Italian (Italiano), Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ), Spanish (Español) - Provider resource: Designed to support healthcare providers in identifying potential postpartum complications, reinforcing the importance of considering recent pregnancy in clinical assessment, and supporting timely escalation of care.
Available in: English, French (Français)
We encourage you to share these resources widely with postpartum individuals, families, healthcare teams, and community partners.
Note that the information provided on this page is not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your healthcare provider to speak about how best to care for yourself, your family and your community. You can also call 811 to connect to healthcare support 24/7, where you can receive secure and confidential health advice.
