6 Week Postpartm Visit-What to Ask/Expect

You’ve birthed your baby, Congrats! As the weeks roll by you’ll get more accustomed to your new ‘normal’ & you’ll more than likely be anxious wondering what exactly you should ask at your 6 week postpartum check up.

There is SO much hype about this appointment, yet not enough is typically covered. Here are some great guideline questions to think about and be sure to bring up to your provider if he does not bring them up without prompting.

What to expect:

Depending on how your baby was birthed, vaginal or ceaserean, the degree of interventions needed & how your immediate recovery was in the hospital will determine how your 6 week post baby appointment will go.

Unfortunetly there is a lot of grey area and each provider is different.

Most times they will check you in, weigh you, ask if about medication changes, how you have been feeling, if you are still bleeding, nursing, bottle feeding or combination and how you have been feeling.

Some providers will do an internal check, some will not. Some will check you for diastasis, some will not. This is something that NEEDS to be more regulated across the board.

Questions to Ask Your Provider:

1. Keep in Mind, NO QUESTION IS A SILLY QUESTION! First and foremost ANY question or concern you may have should be asked first! Regarding how your birth went, recovery etc. It’s OK to write things down so you don’t forget. You have every right to ask anything you’d like, no question is too silly.

2. Ask to be referred to a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

This SHOULD be standard, but it’s NOT. (Read this post to learn about your PF) If you have leaking, pain, heaviness ANYTHING down there bring that to your providers attention. Inquire that you would like to see a specialist to address concerns and eliminate any other dysfunction. If you don’t have any of the above symptoms do not think they won’t present later on down the road. It is ideal that every women has her pelvic floor looked at after childbirth. Our pelvic floor withstands SO much during pregnancy/birth, it needs special care!

3. Supplements.

Ask your provider if they can write you perscription for a postnatal (or you can use this one) a DHA and Vitamin D. Balancing your hormones and postnatal depletion is a REAL thing. DHA, Vitamin D and B vitamins are the 3 anchors every mother needs after giving birth. It is always good to ask for doctor clearance first. You can also inquire about Thyroid Testing at your 6 week check up, but typically this is not done until at minimum 6 months PP.

4. Therapy/Counseling.

It is protocoal for Doctor’s to ask about your mental health during this time; it might feel very cold but they are doing their job in an odd way. You have every right to request a referral for someone to talk too or help you navigate the overwhelm of motherhood.

5. Diastasis Recti

You can ask them to check you for a Diastasis, they may tell you to check with the PT when you see them, however every Doctor will be different with this! It’s good to address & see if you have an injury component of diastsis or not.

6. All Clear to Exercise?!

Many moms are eager and anxious to ‘get back to their routine’. As healthy as a movement plan is essential keep in mind you will benefit 110% from donig a core rehab program BEFORE jumping into it when your Doc says you are good to go. There are mutiple layers to postpartm healing and usually doc’s do not help you to navigate this percious period of time.