How Will You Know When to Call the Doctor? Information For Newborns and New Moms
Having a baby is both the happiest and scariest time for most new parents. I remember walking out of the hospital with my first baby thinking,
Wait a minute- you’re going to let me take her home now?
Like, I had no idea what I was doing! And when you take home your newborn, you probably won’t either.
But worry not, new mama!
Although there are many reasons to call the doctor, these are the most common. Nobody expects you to know everything that’s going on with your postpartum body or your brand new baby, so don’t hesitate to call the doctor if you’re not sure.
When Should I Call the Doctor? (For New Mom)
-Bright red vaginal bleeding, large vaginal clots, a significant increase in bleeding or if you ever soak a pad in an hour less.
-If you have a temperature over 38 degrees Celcius (102 F) or uncontrollable shivering.
-If your vaginal discharge smells bad.
-If it hurts to pee, if you are going more than normal or if you can’t go at all.
-Any trouble with breathing or chest pain.
-If you are in a lot of pain that isn’t controlled well with the medications you have.
-If you feel faint, dizzy or shortness of breath.
-If your incision is painful, leaking or red.
When Should I Call the Doctor? (For Newborn)
-If your baby isn’t peeing and/or pooping the minimum amount according to her age.
-If your baby isn’t feeding well at least 6 times in 24 hours (breast or bottle).
-If the whites of your baby’s eyes or her skin turn yellow.
-If your baby has blue (even pale) lips. If your baby’s mouth or inside of her mouth (mucous membranes) are blue or pale.
If your baby has dark skin, check inside her mouth- this should be pink.
-If your baby won’t stop crying.
-If your baby is too sleepy to feed well or is not waking up for feedings on her own.
-If your baby feels hot.
-If you think the baby has diarrhea. (For breastfed babies that would be more than 10 bowel movements in 24 hours, for bottle-fed babies that would be more than 6 watery bowel movements in 24 hours).
-If the area around the baby’s umbilical cord is very red or has a strong odour or discharge.
* If your baby makes any sudden, jerky movements (like a seizure), call 911 immediately.
When you call the doctor's office and tell them your symptoms and they can decide how quickly they will need to see you or your baby.
And if you're not sure if this is a good reason to call the doctor, call. Until you get really comfy with your new baby, nobody expects you to have all the answers!
If you're curious about what else you’ll need to know before you leave the hospital with your new bundle of joy, I've got you covered!
Download this freebie- Heading Home Bingo – and make sure you’ve got all the information you need to make your postpartum journey a little easier.
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Hey there, I’m Joanne.
I’ve spent about 20 years serving women as a nurse, doula and Lamaze educator. I have 4 kids and I know firsthand how lonely and isolating motherhood can be, so I created MamaSoup. I'm mostly known for my love of red wine, spontaneously singing and my confidence in being my true self on social media. When I’m not busy building women up, you can catch me taking Instagram stories of my bulldog Ruby, watching The Handmaid’s Tale, playing MUber (Mom Uber) to my kids or vacationing in my favourite town: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
I love serving the world by providing a space for moms to connect and support each other. In my opinion, moms are the backbone of communities because they are (literally) raising the future!
As the founder and CEO of MamaSoup, I’ve been featured on CHEX TV Morning Show, KawarthaNOW, Economic Development- The City of Kawartha Lakes and MyKawartha.
Still with me? Join me over at MamaSoup to keep the conversation going!
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