When should I contact a healthcare professional?

If in the first couple of weeks following the birth of your baby if you experience any of the following symptoms, please immediately contact your Midwife, maternity unit (via their Triage/Assessment unit) or GP.

  • Your stitches or tummy have become more painful, and the pain is not being relieved by Paracetamol or Ibuprofen
  • Your stitches have become smelly, more swollen or red.
  • Your stitches have come undone and wound reopened (wound breakdown)
  • Increased bleeding from your vagina, after it had settled
  • Passing blood clots (larger than a golf ball)
  • Pain or swelling in your leg, shortness of breath or chest pain
  • You do not have normal full bladder sensation. You may also be passing small amounts of urine, be unable to empty your bladder or have minimal control. Try to pass urine every 2-3 hours until you get your appointment
  • Signs of a urinary tract infection including pain or a burning sensation when urinating, urine that looks cloudy, darker or stronger smelling than usual
  • You pass faeces through your vagina
  • You have bowel accidents with a formed stool

The following do not require immediate medical attention, but should be reviewed by a healthcare professional as soon as possible:

  • Your wound has not healed, and the pain is not improving
  • Your wound remains painful at your 6-8 week check-up
  • You have pain during sex
  • You have problems controlling my bowels or wind
  • You leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, jump, or move
  • You leak urine if you cannot get to the toilet quickly
  • You feel a heaviness, dragging or bulging in your vagina

Please use the self-assessment and self-referral form to access our services

For immediate care:

If you are pregnant or in the weeks following birth contact your maternity triage/assessment unit (open 24/7):

Plymouth: 01752 430200 (over 20 weeks pregnant & until 4 weeks post birth)

Torbay: 01803 656588 (over 12 weeks pregnant & until 4 weeks post birth)

Exeter: 01392 406616 (over 12 weeks pregnant & until 6 weeks post birth)

North Devon: 01392 406616 (over 16 weeks pregnant & until 6 weeks post birth)

OR

If you are outside of these maternity time frames, please contact your

111 NHS or your local GP.

Ring 999 if you feel you are in a life threatening situation.