What's meant to happen in a post natal check up?

[Kaedsmum]

I just went for one and she said there's not really any need for them nowadays.

She shouted at me for missing an appointment the other day, but the baby was poorly and I forgot.

Then she said was I ok in myself and I said I'd been a bit down... she didn't say anything about that.

That was all.

[meemar]

They usually take your blood pressure, and with DS1 I had an internal exam.

They ask you about your health generally.

If you have a new baby and told your GP that you have been down, then she should have asked you about it.

If you are feeling low, go and see your HV if the GP is not helpful.

I don't know why she said there is no need for them - I've not heard anything like that.

[dinkystinky]

Hmm, your midwife/GP sounds a bit useless to be honest. At 6 week check up with GP after having DS, doctor was concerned to check how breastfeeding was going, how I was feeling in myself (is a check for PND), how my stitches were healing, if I had any aches and pains or any questions about baby or myself post-birth.

[meemar]

They also ask you if your periods have returned and talk to you about contraception.

With DS2 I had my cs scar checked too.

[Kaedsmum]

Hmm she did none of this stuff.

And they didn't schedule me an appointment until 11 weeks. My stitches have healed but I have a weird tag hanging off. My periods havn't returned. Should they have done by now?

[margoandjerry]

They vary hugely. My private post natal check-up was literally a 5 second examination of scar and then dismissed. My NHS GP took about 30 minutes to do a detailed examination and to ask lots of questions. Also a few minutes to wipe off the breast milk that I squirted in her eye by accident

[margoandjerry]

kaedsmum sorry, just read your first post properly.

Were you hoping she would pick up on the fact that you are feeling down? She should have done. Perhaps ask for an appointment with another GP and go expressly to tell them you are feeling low.

[meemar]

If you are breastfeeding then they won't have returned, but she still should have mentioned contraception as many people believe that bfing can stop you getting pg again.

She should have asked you about if your post-birth bleeding has stopped too.

She sounds terrible tbh.

[Kaedsmum]

I'm not breastfeeding..so should they have returned? Breast feeding didn't work out for me .

[MandMand]

At my NHS post-natal check six weeks after the birth, the doctor just checked over the baby, she didn't examine me at all, or ask me any questions about how I was feeling. I had to fill in a questionnaire while I was sat in reception about whether or not I was feeling depressed, but I handed it back to the receptionist rather than to the doctor. It was a complete waste of time.

[meemar]

I don't know kaedsmum - I may be completely guessing but I though once the postnatal bleeding stopped, periods pretty much returned to normal if you aren't bfing. Hopefully someone will be able to tell you for sure.

I'm sorry your dr was so useless - she should have been able to tell you about this.

[dinkystinky]

Kaedsmum - make a new appointment with a different GP. Explain you're feeling down after the birth (please dont be sad about breastfeeding not working - it doesnt work for lots of people and as long as your baby is happy and fed, all is good) and about the tag down below and that you didnt feel that your previous postnatal appointment addressed any of these concerns. Also ask about when you might be able to expect your periods to return to normal.

[ChezzaB]

There is a list of things they should check with baby in your red book. At mine she checked DS and asked me loads of questions bout BF and AF and about the pill!
Your dr sounds likea waste of space especially at such a stressful time! I would make another apt with a different dr and just tell them why you feel you have to do this! I especially think this if you have been feeling down as this should have been addressed imediately!
I hope you feel happier soon! X