Shortly after giving birth, it is common practice to have a ‘postnatal check-up’, during which your doctor will see how you are healing and give the necessary clearance to resume exercise and physical activity. A postnatal checkup is usually done around 6 weeks after a vaginal birth and 8 weeks after a caesarean birth. Despite the fact that we have just gone through such a major physical and life change, this control is usually quite cursory. While there are certainly exceptions, most medical providers do a very brief 5- to 10-minute checkup to ensure that the bleeding has stopped and that any lacerations or stitches have healed, and then they “clear” you for exercise.
Many postpartum women say they leave their appointments without even getting screened for the common core issues diastasis recti the pelvic floor dysfunction, nor has specific guidance been given on where or how to begin a return to exercise. We want to make sure you feel well informed when you go in for your first checkup so you can get the most out of your time with your doctor. So that will be the focus of this article.
1. Ask your provider for an earlier visit
While 6 weeks is standard, there is no hard and fast rule that you can’t show up earlier if your provider agrees to it. In fact, many providers see their postpartum patients at 2-3 weeks AND later at 6-8 weeks. It may be helpful to be assessed earlier to address any issues that may have arisen from the birth and to be cleared to begin some physical activity (if desired). Many providers will accommodate this request, so be sure to check soon after birth for your provider’s availability.
2. Check-in before checking out
Your postpartum visit is a helpful way to get an outside look at how your body is healing from childbirth. However, it is helpful if you are taking an inventory of your body, as a form of ‘check-in’ to first note how YOU feel.
Exhausted might be the first and most obvious answer. But go deeper.
- Do you have trouble sleeping when you actually have time to rest?
- Do you notice pain in your ______ (back, neck, hip, pelvic area) during certain movements?
- Has the bleeding stopped?
- Do you experience any involuntary leakage (incontinence) or a feeling of pressure in the groin during certain activities?
- If you had a C-section, do you have pain (redness or swelling) at or near the incision site?
- Do you have any concerns about your psychological health (sudden crying, apathy towards the baby, indifference to care, etc.)?
Jot down your answers, which you can even write down to bring to your date (because “mom brain” is real). That way, you’ll be an informed participant in your postpartum healing journey.
3. Ask your provider three important questions
Often, providers will ask how you’re doing, and this is the time to tell them (and don’t dismiss your concerns). Note any notable findings from your self-assessment before your appointment. In addition to highlighting any specific issues, you can ask a few more questions:
- I have Diastasis Recti?
- Note: Your doctor may not know how to test (accurately) for DR. See this post for guidance how to check for DR. You can always do a self-assessment as well.
- Does my pelvic floor look healed? This includes any stitches you may need from the delivery. Learn more about its signs pelvic floor dysfunction and ask your provider for a pelvic floor physical therapist referral if you experience symptoms.
- Note: even if you don’t think you have a dysfunction, seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist is incredibly beneficial if you have access to one.
- What recommendations do you recommend as I return to exercise?
- Note: If your provider doesn’t provide much guidance here, it’s important to start with recovery tasks. You can find some tips here core recovery after childbirth.
4. Be your own advocate
When you’re newly postpartum, it can feel like you’re a stranger in your own body. And to be fair, that is true to an extent. Your body has undergone so many changes over the course of nine months that it’s bound to feel a bit foreign. However, it is important to take the time to get to know the new YOU to determine if something that seems unfamiliar to you is problematic. It’s a fine distinction, but it can determine whether you need further care.
If something isn’t right, bring it to your provider. If he tries to downplay your concerns, you may need to find someone who takes them seriously. This applies to physical and psychological issues, which may not be obvious immediately after childbirth.
Beyond Check-Up
Postpartum care is not a “one and done” experience. You are on a healing journey and this process is not always linear. So try to stay as integrated as you can while you navigate life as a babysitter. It’s easy to suppress or ignore your own needs during the first weeks and months after giving birth, but neglected issues can manifest in discomfort or pain, which can disrupt your ability to be an effective caregiver.
Want additional resources?
For additional resources to help you recover, get stronger, and get back to doing what you love, explore our Postpartum training programs. Or, for a more personalized approach, visit our Find a coach page to find an expert trainer who can design and guide you through a customized training program.
Finally, if you had a C-section, you may find this Cesarean section guide ancillary. It gives you many strategies to support healing — from scar massage, rehabilitation exercises, movement adjustments and more.
Are you a health and fitness professional?
If you’re a health and fitness professional interested in coaching prenatal and postpartum clients, explore us ProNatal Training & Certification.
