Your last check-up with your obstetrician will be about six weeks after giving birth. If you have a C-section, you may have an appointment sooner to make sure you’re healing well after surgery.
Write down all your questions beforehand especially if having a baby is new for you. Remember that there are no stupid questions. This is a good opportunity to discuss birth control options for the future too. It's just on old wives' tale that you can't become pregnant because you are breastfeeding and not menstruating.
The doctor may check your breasts for lumps and any abnormal discharge. If you are breastfeeding, the doctor may make sure that the milk ducts aren’t clogged and that you don’t have an infection. They will check your abdomen for muscle tone. A pelvic exam will be done to see if the uterus is back to its pre-pregnancy size and that the cervix is closed. They will also check how well an episiotomy or any lacerations have healed. You may have your smear test at this appointment, if the timing is right. If your period arrives days before your appointment, it is worth changing the appointment date to ensure you can get your smear test done.
Your doctor may also check your weight, blood pressure and inquire about how your life is with baby during this visit. Any necessary laboratory tests will also be taken, such as a blood count, especially if you lost a lot of blood during birth.
Write down all your questions beforehand especially if having a baby is new for you. Remember that there are no stupid questions. This is a good opportunity to discuss birth control options for the future too. It's just on old wives' tale that you can't become pregnant because you are breastfeeding and not menstruating.
The doctor may check your breasts for lumps and any abnormal discharge. If you are breastfeeding, the doctor may make sure that the milk ducts aren’t clogged and that you don’t have an infection. They will check your abdomen for muscle tone. A pelvic exam will be done to see if the uterus is back to its pre-pregnancy size and that the cervix is closed. They will also check how well an episiotomy or any lacerations have healed. You may have your smear test at this appointment, if the timing is right. If your period arrives days before your appointment, it is worth changing the appointment date to ensure you can get your smear test done.
Your doctor may also check your weight, blood pressure and inquire about how your life is with baby during this visit. Any necessary laboratory tests will also be taken, such as a blood count, especially if you lost a lot of blood during birth.
It may be the last time you see your doctor for sometime, so ask all of the questions you need to at that stage.
