4 postpartum warning signs black women should watch for 

Black women have a higher risk of dangerous complications after giving birth than other new parents. Here’s what to watch for and when to seek help. 

You’ve done the hard work: You were pregnant for many months. You’ve made it through delivery and brought your baby home. Congratulations! Now you’ll want to have a trouble-free postpartum experience.  

Postpartum means “after giving birth.” It’s the time when your body recovers from pregnancy and childbirth. Most changes happen in the days, weeks, and months after your baby is born. But it’s safer and healthier to think about the whole first year after childbirth as your postpartum healing period.  

Mostly it’s all good. But sometimes problems can crop up. And Black moms may be at higher risk. 

Knowing what to expect can help you spot problems early and get the care you need. Read on to learn the warning signs for common postpartum health issues.  

One thing’s for sure: New moms can expect a lot of changes during this time. Here are some common ones: 

Many of these changes are normal. But Black moms have a higher chance of other, more serious issues after childbirth. These include excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) and blood clots. Black women are 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than other moms.  

And more than 8 out of 10 pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented, says Ndidamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, MPH. She’s the director of the Tufts University Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice. 

Be alert for the following signs. And reach out for help right away if you notice any of them. 

Preeclampsia is a serious blood condition. It happens most often during pregnancy. But some women develop it for the first time in the days or weeks after they give birth.  

Black moms are 60% more likely to have preeclampsia than other groups. And they’re more likely to develop a severe version of the condition. Plus, Black women have higher rates of diseases like diabetes and chronic high blood pressure that can cause preeclampsia.  

Watch out for these symptoms: 

One of the biggest warning signs is high blood pressure. If you have a history of high blood pressure, your doctor may want you to monitor it at home. Or you may need to go into a doctor’s office for regular blood pressure checks. 

Bleeding after delivering a baby is normal. But little by little it should get lighter. It usually stops within a few weeks. If you’re bleeding a lot, though, that can mean you have a hemorrhage. Black women have twice the risk of hemorrhage after giving birth than other moms. 

It can happen because your uterus isn’t contracting the way it should. Or it might be due to tears in your uterus or vagina. 

So, look out for these signs: 

This heart condition can happen in the months after you have your baby. It’s a kind of weakness of your heart muscle. It lowers the amount of blood that your heart pumps to the rest of your body.  

It can be dangerous. Recent data suggests that Black women are 5 times more likely than other groups to die from postpartum cardiomyopathy, says Amutah-Onukagha.  

Signs to look out for: 

Most new moms have a couple of weepy days with the baby blues. They may cry for seemingly no reason or have trouble sleeping. And they may worry that they won’t be able to handle taking care of their baby. The baby blues usually go away within a few days.  

But postpartum depression is more serious and lasts for a longer time. “Postpartum mental health conditions are responsible for nearly 1 out of 4 maternal deaths in the United States,” says Amutah-Onukagha.“And among Black women, it’s even higher.” 

It can be hard to know if the emotional changes in a new mother are normal baby blues or something more serious. Symptoms that last for more than 2 weeks could be a sign of postpartum depression. They can include: 

Reach out to your doctor, nurse, or midwife. Talk to your family and friends. Find a new-mom support group. Don’t ignore your mental health. 

Black women are less likely to seek treatment for depression. In fact, nearly half of all postpartum depression cases are never reported. But getting support and treatment is key. “Treat your health like a life-or-death situation. Because it is,” says Amutah-Onukagha. 

Sources: 
 
[1] “How Can We Solve the Black Maternal Health Crisis?” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, May 12, 2023. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/solving-the-black-maternal-health-crisis 

[2] “Working together to reduce Black maternal mortality.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 8, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/womens-health/features/maternal-mortality.html 

[3] “Postpartum.” Cleveland Clinic, February 27, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/postpartum 

[4] “Postpartum Depression.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health, October 17, 2023. https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression 

[5] “Peripartum Cardiomyopathy.” American Heart Association, May 28, 2024. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/peripartum-cardiomyopathy-ppcm 

[6] “Mental Health Matters for Moms.” March of Dimes, May 30, 2022. https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/mental-health-matters-moms