6 week post natal check up covid

[5aside1]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has had their 6 week post natal check up since Covid? If so was it in person and with a GP? My GPs are only offering telephone consultations and so wondered if this was the norm. I was particularly hoping for an in person check as I had a third degree tear which is still painful and causing issues and also have been suffering with thrush for about a month and am unsure whether it’s clearing at all on my breasts. Interested to know if others think a telephone consultation seems sufficient.

Thanks

(Reposting here hopefully for more traffic)

I haven't had my 6 week check yet but I would be ringing or doing an online consult and asking to be seen face to face for those issues. GPs are seeing people in person who need it. All the best xxx

Just to manage expectations, GPs never actually do anything or look at you at your 6 week check up. Maybe if you ask they do but I just got asked whether I had an urine loss problems, no, ok bye then!

I was told by my doctors they weren't doing them and also the baby 6-8 week checks weren't happening. Wasn't so bothered about my own check but chased up baby check repeatedly and kept getting told to ring in a few weeks, wait for a phone call with an appointment or that they still weren't happening depending who I spoke to. He's now 6 months and I've given up!

I had a baby in May ( during first lockdown). I’m not in uk though, but have had all checks on me and baby as usual even though stricter lockdown here than uk.
It’s terrible they aren’t doing face to face for these important checks.

I haven't had a baby during COVID, but in my experience with my pre-COVID babies, the post natal check doesn't usually involve a physical examination, so it makes sense that they are doing them by phone to minimise the risk to you and baby.

If you are having issues though, you can raise these with them and they can assess if you need a face-to-face examination (for example, to check the tear healing). For the thrush, they'll probably just go based on symptoms. Did you finish the course of treatment for you and baby? If so, and you are still having symptoms, they can probably prescribe you another course, but that can be done over the phone. There are tests for thrush but they aren't very effective and usually I just told them I had thrush and they gave me treatment.

I have my 6 week check this week. It was meant to be over the phone but I had a c section which then got infected so I said I want someone to look over it and now I have a face to face appointment. If you want your tear looked at OP, I’d ring and push for it. Be forceful if you need to.

I actually had a good experience, they combined baby’s first jabs with my check up and the doctor was really thorough and checked my stitches had healed and examined my cervix to check everything was going back to normal there (DD born mid August so this would have been start of October I think?) So GPs are able to do physical check ups 🤷🏻‍♀️ There’s so much inconsistency...

Mine was over the phone but you should definitely ask for an in person consultation if you require it, which it sounds like you do.

Just to manage expectations, GPs never actually do anything or look at you at your 6 week check up. Maybe if you ask they do but I just got asked whether I had an urine loss problems, no, ok bye then!

This wasn't my experience after I had my first (only had phone consult after my second and didn't request anything else as the birth was pretty straightforward). Sounds like you have a rubbish GP.

Just to offer another counterpoint to some of the above posts, I also had a really useful 6 week check after a 3rd degree tear where my GP checked the healing and also sent me for some follow up blood tests (because I had PPH). I would push to be seen in person, you have clear justification.

I had mine during the first lockdown; we had a phone call for the stuff that could be talked about and then a short appointment in person to check baby and check my c section stitches.
I dont think a telephone call is enough particularly as the health visitor 6 week check is also over the phone. I had pnd and I could keep it together over the phone but not so well in person which was a more realistic portrayal of how I was.

My baby was born in September. I did have a face-to-face appointment but it was at 8 weeks (not 6) so baby could have her vaccinations at the same visit. GP checked baby and we discussed baby and myself, the GP didn't examine me but could have done if needed.

Ring your GP and ask, it sounds as if you need to be seen whether it's a 6 week check or not. They might do a phone consultation and ask you to send photos or just let you physically go in.

Also are you still under the midwives or have you been discharged by them?

Mine was combined with baby checks and jabs at 8 weeks. Doctor was rubbish and didn't ask me anything about myself. I had things I wanted to discuss but didn't get the chance as the whole thing was so rushed and my baby got so upset with the checks. I'd urge you to bring up any concerns before they begin your baby's checks.

Thanks all I did manage to get through today and pushed the point and it was agreed I should have an in person appointment. Its really embarrassing bug I’m still experiencing incontinence issues so really want my stitches checked. The appointment will be at 8 weeks rather than 6 but il take that in the current climate... I didn’t mention above but today was the 5th time if requested an appointment (all the other requests had been ignored) so I feel very relieved now and glad I took the advice to keep pressing the point

I can't believe you had to ask FIVE times! Disgraceful Anyway, well done for persevering. Hope GP is helpful when you do see them.

Baby born in June. Six week check combined with the eight weeks jabs for baby, and whilst she was checking over baby she asked me questions about my mental health and healing etc. I had an issue with my vulva that I didn't think was quite right following a graze, and she said she would book me a proper apt. Got a text on leaving the surgery with the apt time and date, and she was very thorough when I saw her!

Had my baby a week before the first lockdown in March and we both got our 6 weeks check. They did it instead at 8 weeks so as to coincide with baby’s first jabs and limit the amount of times I had to go in. Full check for baby with GP and mine was the usual questions- she did offer to check my stitches but I was happy with them. I also had my smear about 3 months post partum so face to face appointments are definitely running where needed. I’d be insisting you got your 6 week check if I were you especially as you have concerns.

Had my 6 week check postponed to 8 weeks and done the same fine as babys first vaccinations xx

I had my first baby in April no 6 week check. It was fine at 8 week jab appointment. Insist they look properly at your scar especially if your still in pain by then. I had a third degree tear and know how hard the recovery was. Insist you see someone at the appointment. It just baby