You spent nine months preparing for your darling baby. Labor and delivery ended. Your 6-week postpartum checkup is now. After delivery, you may forget to take care of yourself. This is why new moms need postpartum OBGYN appointments.
Ask these questions at your 6-week postpartum appointment. Your provider may cover most of these subjects. Use this to remember to question anything they didn’t cover.
Your 6-Week Postpartum Appointment
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Any Advice for Future Pregnancies?
Your provider may suggest future pregnancies based on how easy or difficult your pregnancy and delivery were. If you have premature labor, your doctor may recommend progesterone supplementation, cervical length ultrasounds, and cerclage installation in future pregnancies. They may suggest baby aspirin for gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
Your provider may have discussed these before or during delivery. In the excitement and bustle of the birth, you may have forgotten much of what they said. Therefore, discuss this again at your postpartum consultation when distractions are lower. Ask your provider what caused your issues and how you can prevent them in the future.
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Is Bleeding Normal?
Lochia—postpartum bleeding and discharge—is normal. Three weeks postpartum, most bleeding will stop. Most women pass lochia till 6-8 weeks postpartum. Some days you’ll bleed like a period, others just spot. Discuss your bleeding with your doctor. Your doctor will check your pelvis for typical bleeding. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, your cycles won’t return until you wean.
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Do I Need Drugs, Immunizations, or Blood Tests?
If you are rubella-nonimmune, your doctor may recommend the MMR vaccine. At your 6-week appointment, your clinician may recommend continuing, modifying, or stopping blood pressure or thyroid medications started during pregnancy. If you had gestational diabetes, you’ll need postpartum testing because you’re still at risk of diabetes. This dialogue improves your general well-being and future health.
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How to Treat Vaginal Dryness?
Postpartum dryness is frequent. Breastfeeding ladies especially. Many women neglect to discuss this with their doctors. Over-the-counter lubricants sometimes fail. Your doctor may recommend hyaluronic acid or estrogen cream to improve your problems while breastfeeding.
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How Do I Diagnose Postpartum Depression?
Your 6-week postpartum checkup should screen for postpartum depression. Postpartum blues affect 70% of women, so distinguishing between them and depression is crucial. Both experience anxiety, depression, sobbing, and newborn care instability. Symptom severity and timing identify them. Discussing your ideas and feelings with your provider is crucial for proper care. Your provider may prescribe counseling, lifestyle changes, or drugs for initial treatment.
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Birth Control Options
Ask about birth control during your 6-week postpartum checkup. Breastfeeding women have several possibilities! Reversible options include condoms, tablets, implants, and IUDs. Discussing with your provider can help you choose a method as each has pros and cons. They’ll think about pre-existing conditions and family planning.
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How Can I Prevent Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pregnancy and vaginal birth are major risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse. After menopause, most women have pelvic discomfort, vaginal bulging, urine incontinence, and trouble voiding. Prevent it now! Kegel exercises are most recommended. Without coaching, many women cannot achieve this. Learn Kegel exercises from your doctor. Ask about pelvic floor physical therapy consultations. Avoid constipation, keep a healthy weight, and quit smoking for prevention.
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Can I Regain My Pre-Pregnancy Body?
First, admire your postpartum physique. Your body changes symbolize the miracle of existence. Scars, stretch marks, and pounds are worth life’s beauty. Permanent alterations should be welcomed as a sign of your body’s accomplishment. Diastases recti, abdominal muscle separation, can be treated with physical therapy. Breastfeeding speeds up weight loss. Ask when you can workout again. Your 6-week postpartum exam usually clears you to exercise.
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How Long Before I Should Become Pregnant Again?
This may be your last question, but it’s crucial! Short pregnancies, especially under six months, have been linked to poor outcomes. After 18 months, danger increases. Anemia, preterm labor, premature membrane rupture, and placental abruption are possible consequences. Your provider may change the timing depending on your delivery.
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When to Schedule More Appointments?
You probably know your doctor by the end of your pregnancy. At the end of pregnancy, seeing them weekly can be bittersweet. Your provider and office personnel probably agree! Ask about your next well-woman checkup and Pap smear. A yearly pelvic, breast, blood, and STI exam is advised. Your next appointment will depend on lab findings, pre-existing ailments, and age.
These questions should help you brainstorm themes for your 6-week postpartum checkup with Dr. Ahmadinia. No query is ridiculous, and your provider will gladly help.