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What to do if…
you have heavy postpartum bleeding and feel lightheaded or faint

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat heavy postnatal bleeding with lightheadedness, faintness, dizziness, or a pounding heart as urgent. Call 999 now, or ask someone beside you to call, and ask for an ambulance.

Do not do these things

  • Do not drive yourself to hospital.
  • Do not stand, walk around, shower, or “push through” the dizziness.
  • Do not stay alone if you feel faint, dizzy, weak, or as if you might pass out.
  • Do not hold the baby while you feel faint.
  • Do not use tampons, menstrual cups, or anything internal right now.
  • Do not take aspirin for pain relief unless a doctor or midwife has told you to.
  • Do not suddenly stop prescribed aspirin, blood-thinning tablets, or blood-thinning injections; tell 999 and the clinicians exactly what you take.
  • Do not assume it is normal lochia if the bleeding is sudden, very heavy, getting heavier, or you feel unwell.

What to do now

  1. Put the baby down safely before you do anything else. Use a cot, Moses basket, pram carrycot, or the floor on a clear blanket away from hazards, and keep the baby warm.
  2. Lie down where you are least likely to fall. If lying flat feels uncomfortable or you might vomit, lie on your side. Keep your phone within reach.
  3. Call 999 now, or ask someone beside you to call. Say: “I have recently given birth. My bleeding is heavier than expected and I feel lightheaded, faint, or dizzy.”
  4. Tell 999 anything that makes this more urgent: sudden very heavy bleeding, bright red blood flowing constantly, pads or clothes soaking, clots, a pounding or racing heart, tummy pain, fever, shivering, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, or feeling very unwell.
  5. If another adult is with you, ask them to stay with you, look after the baby, and phone your maternity triage, postnatal ward, or community midwife number from your discharge paperwork while you are waiting. Do not delay the 999 call to do this.
  6. Use a maternity pad or sanitary towel, not an internal product. If it is easy and hygienic, leave used pads where clinicians can see them, and note roughly when the heavier bleeding started.
  7. Help the ambulance crew find you if you can do this without standing for long. Unlock the door, turn on lights, put pets away, and keep your discharge notes, medicines, injections, allergy details, and maternity paperwork nearby.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out exactly how much blood you have lost.
  • You do not need to decide whether this is normal lochia, a period, or postpartum haemorrhage.
  • You do not need to search online, compare photos, or phone several services for reassurance.
  • You do not need to pack a full hospital bag before getting help.
  • You do not need to tidy up or clean yourself before clinicians arrive.

Important reassurance

Heavy bleeding with lightheadedness after birth is frightening, and it is enough reason to get emergency help. Calling 999 is a protective first step; you are not expected to judge the cause or manage this at home.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next few minutes while you get urgent help. Later decisions, checks, treatment, feeding support, and follow-up may need maternity, emergency, or specialist medical care.

Important note

This guide is general information only. It is not medical diagnosis or personalised medical advice; heavy bleeding with faintness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or a pounding heart after birth needs immediate medical help.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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