After giving birth, your doctor will likely want to see you on a weekly basis for the first six weeks postpartum to assess your recovery and your baby's development.
Weeks 1-5 Postpartum
The first five weeks of postpartum checkups will include your doctor’s assessment of your blood pressure, your external recovery from birth; either from a c-section or tearing, and your baby’s growth and development.
6 weeks Postpartum
At your six week postpartum checkup, your doctor will perform a complete physical exam and ask you specific questions about your recovery and your baby’s development. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about your long-term recovery process, including postpartum diet and weight loss, postpartum depression, and the ongoing growth and development of your baby.
Your 6 week Postpartum Checklist:
- Weight and Blood Pressure Assessment – your doctor will check your postpartum weight and blood pressure to ensure you are on the right track to recovery.
- Breast and Abdomen Exam – Although your uterus will have returned to pre-pregnancy size by six weeks postpartum, your tummy muscles may still feel a little weak. Your doctor will assess your abdomen for tenderness and your breasts for abnormal lumps and discharge. If you are experiencing any physical discomfort, be sure to highlight it to your doctor at this time.
- Internal and Perineum Exam – If you had an episiotomy or tore during delivery, your doctor will check to ensure you are healing properly. An internal exam will be conducted to ensure any bruising or tears to your cervix or vagina are also healing properly and that your ovaries and vaginal muscle feel normal.
- Postpartum Intercourse and Contraception – Assuming you are no longer experiencing postpartum bleeding or physical discomfort, your doctor will likely give you the green light to resume having intercourse. If you have already started having intercourse again, be sure to let your doctor know if you have experienced any pain or discomfort associated with it. There are a variety of different postpartum contraceptive options for women to consider. Depending on your history, whether or not you are breastfeeding and if you have already started ovulating again, your doctor will help you choose the best contraceptive option to suit your needs.
- Postpartum Depression and the Months Ahead – Although postpartum depression is a relatively common occurrence, it often goes unrecognized due to a wide spectrum of postpartum symptoms that many new moms either ignore or simple do not realize they are experiencing. Postpartum depression can develop at anytime during the first year of your child’s life, so now is a good time to ask questions, seek advice and gather some resources in case you need to use them at a later date.
7 Weeks+ Postpartum
The next 45 weeks and beyond are sure to be some of the most exciting and challenging times of your life. Your child will hit milestone after milestone and turn into a little man or woman right before your eyes. So be sure to enjoy the ride, and cherish all the memories it brings. It all happens very, very fast.
