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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Living well
    4. Birth to five
    5. After the birth of your child
    6. The first weeks after birth

    Your postnatal check

    You should have your postnatal check about six weeks after your baby’s birth to make sure that you are recovering from the birth. You may be offered an appointment to go back to the hospital or midwifery unit where you gave birth, or you should see your GP.

    Contents

    Skip table of contents
    • What usually happens at your post natal check
    • Things to tell your doctor
    • Your baby’s check

    What usually happens at your post natal check

    Your post natal check is a good opportunity to ask any questions and sort out any problems that are troubling you.

    You may like to make a list of questions to take along with you so that you don’t forget what you want to ask.

    During your postnatal check:

    • you will be weighed and get weight loss advice if you need it
    • you should be asked how you are feeling
    • your urine will be tested to make sure your kidneys are working properly and there is no infection
    • your blood pressure will be checked
    • you will be offered an examination to make sure your stitches have healed (if you had any), your uterus is back to its normal size and all the muscles used during labour are returning to normal
    • your breasts are unlikely to be examined unless you have a particular concern
    • a cervical smear test might be discussed if you have not had one in the last three years, this will usually be carried out three months after delivery
    • if you are not immune to rubella and received your first immunisation before leaving hospital, you will be offered your second one now, if you didn’t receive it in hospital, you will need two doses now
    • you will be asked if you still have any vaginal discharge and whether you have had a period yet

    Things to tell your doctor

    You should tell your doctor if:

    • you are having trouble holding in urine or wind or you are soiling yourself
    • intercourse is painful
    • you are feeling very tired, have a low mood or you are depressed
    • you are worried about anything

    You can also take the opportunity to ask your doctor about contraception. You may wish to choose a different method to the one you had previously used, especially if your pregnancy was not planned.

    The doctor or nurse can help you decide which method is right for you now.

    • Your local doctor (GP)

    Your baby’s check

    You will need to arrange separately for your baby’s six-week check. Remember to bring your child's Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), also known as the Red Book.

    More useful links

    • Recovering after giving birth
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    The first weeks after birth

    • Caring for your baby in their first weeks
    • Changing your baby
    • Getting to know your baby
    • Recovering after giving birth
    • Registering and naming your baby
    • Washing and bathing your baby
    • Your postnatal check
    • Your wellbeing after pregnancy

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