Talk to me about the 6 week check - is there a gap between what is advised and what actually happens?

[BroccoliSpears]

Who should it be with?
What should happen?

On the one hand I have my HV telling me to bring X, Y and Z up at my six week check. On the other hand I have my clinic acting as though I'm talking Martian when I ask about a six week check.

Two years ago I had similar with dd. No one knew what I was talking about and I ended up booking a GP appt to go in and say "yup, I feel okay" and he said "okay then" and I went home again. Not going to bother doing that again.

Am taking ds for 8 week jabs tomorrow. Am certain no one will check us in any way. Shall I just book a gp appt for the couple of minor concerns I have re ds? I guess so.

HV says I really should get my stitches checked as I tore quite badly, particularly as I am keen to start running again. Everything seems fine to me - healed okay, looks okay, feels okay. So, do I make an appointment to see a GP and say "Hi, my fanjo feels fine but could you look at it anyway, just because I enjoy splaying my nethers at strangers?" and he'll say "okay" and I'll go home again?

Am a bit bemused that the MW hasn't been checking your stitches, my MW came weekly (and wouldn't sign me off to see the HV) until they fell out. It was a few years ago.

Fwiw I would get them checked out (your stitches) just in case, an infection could be painful.

6 week check is your check. you make an appt to see GP and say "yup feel fine" but also gives you an opportunity to talk about anything you may be worried about like stitches, or contraception(as if you want to ever go near your partner again )

8 week check is for baby where they check hips, testicles(on boys obviously!), weight, height, head circumference, erm, first jabs....you also should have the opportunity to talk to your HV about any concerns with your LO. There is often a Dr in clinic because of jabs anyway so she may well get the Dr out to speak to you if needs be but she may suggest you make your own appt depending on what your concerns are

Stitches have long disolved ranting. Ds is 8 weeks old now. And my MW didn't know my name, let alone check my stitches!

BDf - when you say "they check hips etc", who is they? A midwife?

oh sorry. At our clinic we see a Dr before we go thru to nurse for jabs. The Dr checks hips etc(all the things in teh list in the red book), then they go thru for Jabs, then the HV does the weight/length/head circumference.