Postpartum Unity Discharge (Adult)
First 48 hours after discharge
This handout has resources and information to support you after you leave the hospital after having a baby. Learn what to expect, what to watch for, and when to call for help.
Learn about caring for yourself at home
Healthy Parents, Healthy Children is Alberta’s guide for pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, and child development. Ask your healthcare provider how to get a copy.
Important phone numbers
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Call the New Parent and Newborn Line at 1-833-805-2229 (1-833-805-BABY) anytime day or night for expert postpartum information and information for babies under 2 months old.
- Call Health Link at 811 for other medical concerns or if you need health advice.
- Call or text 988: Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself.
Public health follow-up
A public health nurse or your midwife provider will contact you after you go home from the hospital. You will usually get this phone call within 1 to 2 days after leaving the hospital (after discharge).
If you have not gotten a call from a public health nurse or your midwife provider by 72 hours after discharge, or if you have any concerns before having a public health follow-up, call the New Parent and Newborn Line at 1-833-805-2229 (1-833-805-BABY).
Follow-up care
After leaving the hospital:
- Arrange follow-up appointments for yourself with your family doctor, midwife, or the healthcare provider who delivered the baby.
- Follow the schedule and instructions that you got at discharge (when you left the hospital).
- Help is available at any time, day or night, by calling the New Parent and Newborn Line at 1-833-805-2229 (1-833-805-BABY) or by calling Health Link at 811.
Reach out for support if you have questions or concerns about your health.
When to call for help
Learn the signs of an emergency after childbirth.
Call 911 if you have:
- chest pain or trouble breathing
- sudden, heavy bleeding running down your leg
- loss of consciousness or a seizure
- blood pressure of 160/110 or higher (if you have a blood pressure monitor)
- thoughts of harming yourself or anyone else
Get medical help if you have any of the following:
- soaking a full pad in 1 hour or passing clots larger than an egg
- severe pain in your abdomen (belly), incision (cut), or perineum that doesn’t get better with medicine
- fever, chills, redness that is spreading, not improving, or accompanied by any additional symptoms listed here, pus, or worsening pain
- discharge from your vagina or incision that smells bad
- severe headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling, or belly pain on your right side
- blood pressure higher than 140/90 (if you have a blood pressure monitor). Your doctor may have given you additional information if you have known high blood pressure.
- one leg swollen more than the other
What to expect and what to watch for
Vaginal bleeding and caring for wounds and incisions (cuts)
It is normal to have moderate, menstrual-like bleeding for the first week. You may have some bleeding up to 6 weeks after birth.
Use a peri-bottle (a portable squeeze bottle) to keep the area clean, and change your menstrual pad often. Do not put anything into your vagina for 6 weeks, like a tampon or menstrual cup. Do not douche or have sexual intercourse for 6 weeks after birth.
If you got perineal sutures, they will dissolve on their own. Your pain and swelling should improve each day. Use frozen pads for relief from pain and swelling.
Learn more:
Caesarean section (C-section)
If you had a caesarean section:
- You can normally remove your abdominal dressings (bandages) 7 days after birth. The bandage is waterproof. If you have a specific dressing that requires assistance to be removed (like a PICO dressing), ask your public health nurse about removing it.
- A public health nurse or your maternity care provider will assist with removing staples, if needed.
- Keep your incision clean and dry. Do not soak it in water. It is OK to shower.
- It is recommended not to lift anything heavier than a baby for 6 weeks.
Learn more:
Blood pressure
The following symptoms may show high blood pressure:
- headache
- visual changes
- pain in your upper right belly
- new swelling in your legs or body
If you notice any of these symptoms, check your blood pressure.
Bladder and bowels
After birth, try to pee every 2 to 4 hours. Get help if you can’t empty your bladder.
It is normal to have no bowel movement (no poop) for 2 to 3 days after birth. When having a bowel movement, avoid straining and use a stool softener if needed.
Learn more:
Pain relief
Unless you have been given other instructions by your doctor, you can use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) as needed for postpartum discomfort. Always follow the directions on the medicine label and gradually reduce use as your pain improves.
Learn more:
Mood and mental health
It is normal to feel sad or anxious in the first 1 to 2 weeks after giving birth. If these feelings last more than a few weeks, call Health Link at 811. Help is available.
Call or text 988: Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline anytime, day or night, if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself or anyone else.
Learn more:
Breast care
It is normal to feel breast fullness or swelling (engorgement) on day 3 to 4 after birth. If you have breast swelling or discomfort associated with engorgement, use cold compresses and gentle massage towards your armpit after feeding.
Get help from your healthcare provider if you have pain, redness that is spreading, not improving, or accompanied by any additional symptoms listed here, fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms.
Learn more:
More information
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_postpartum_discharge_adult_inst.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: August 27, 2026
Author: Provincial Perinatal Group, Women’s Health
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
