7 Things to Talk About at a Postpartum Care Visit

Postpartum visits are more than just physical checkups. They’re also a time for you and your provider to discuss all concerns related to your overall well‑being and your ability to care for your new baby.

Here’s what you may not have known that you can (and should) talk to your medical providers about during your postpartum care visits.

1. Physical Health and Healing

During your postpartum visits, you can expect your doctor to do a pelvic exam to check in on how you’re healing after your vaginal birth or cesarean section. They can help you with pain, bleeding, fatigue, and sleep issues while giving you more information about specific ways to help your body heal. They’ll also let you know when certain physical restrictions after birth no longer apply (such as when you can take a bath, exercise, and have sex).

2. Mental Health Needs

The postpartum visits are a time to share any difficult emotions you may be having. Your doctor will likely screen you for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. They can provide useful information for getting support, like helping you find a mental health therapist. Your provider may also make sure you’re following up on mental health appointments if you have a preexisting mental health condition.

3. Newborn Care and Feeding

Tell your doctor or midwife how caring for your infant is going, including any troubles or pain with chest/breastfeeding. Discuss any issues you have adjusting to caring for your baby.

For example, fatigue and sleep disturbances are common when you have an infant. Your provider can help you find ways to cope so you can rest and recover.

Other topics you might want to discuss include finding a pediatrician and childcare, or how you’re managing chores, transportation, and meals. Your provider will be able to offer guidance on how to navigate any difficulties and point you to resources if you need them.

4. Pelvic Floor Health

Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on your pelvic floor. As a result, many people have problems like:

• Urine leaks
• Fecal incontinence
• Pain in the pelvic area or at the opening of the vagina
• Ongoing constipation or difficulty passing stool
• Gas
• Pain during sex
• Diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles)

Help is available if you’re having any of these issues after you’ve had a baby.

Don’t be shy about discussing bladder issues or other pelvic floor health problems with your doctor so that they can help you.

5. Financial Needs

If you’re feeling the financial strain of having a baby, you’re not alone. More than half of peripartum women say that they do. Your doctor or midwife can connect you with programs and resources that may help you pay for things that can keep you and your baby safe and healthy. You may be able to receive funding for the following:

• Food and groceries
• Diapers
• Home utility bills

6. Sexual Wellness

Talking to your doctor or midwife about sex is important, whether you’re eager to be sexually active again or don’t have interest yet. Your healthcare provider can help you understand when it’s safe to have sex again, what to do about any potential pain, and what to do about low sex drive if it bothers you.

You can also discuss what birth control method may be right for you in the postpartum period. It’s important to keep your provider up to date about your plans for having any more babies. They can advise you on the optimal amount of time between pregnancies.

7. Other Questions

Let your provider know about any remaining thoughts or questions you have about:

• Your pregnancy
• How the delivery went
• What health concerns you should be looking out for post-pregnancy

If you experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, or other difficulties, your provider can tell you about what that means for your current and future health.