6 week check up

[Aurora94]

My baby is 4 weeks old and next week we have a midwife discharge appointment (should have been done earlier but was put back due to complications with different midwife districts) everything was fine at 5 day check up and we also had health visitor at 12 days.

I haven’t yet had chance to register baby with my GP but I will be doing that next week after the midwife appointment we have.

we also have an appointment for a 6 week check up the week after arranged by the health visitor however this is at the local medical centre and not my usual doctors. My question is do I need to also book a 6 week appointment at the gp or is this the same thing as the one arranged by the health visitor. I don’t have any concerns about me or baby but obviously don’t want to not book an appointment if it is usual to have 2.

No you do also need to book a 6-8 week appointment with the GP for you and baby, this is in addition to the midwife and health visitor appointments. Also they normally say to register baby with GP asap after birth so I wouldn’t wait till you’ve had your midwife appointment. She will probably ask if you have done it and tell you to get on with it asap!

I had a double appointment booked. Technically the Postnatal mum check (6 week) and newborn Dr appointment (8 week). Mine were at the same time (8 weeks) while they normally do, but maybe with the different locations you are having them separate.

The norm at 6 weeks is

health visitor check which includes weight, head circumference etc and more of a social focus

plus

GP check of mum and baby (6-8 weeks) - varies as to whether this appointment done separately or together , sometimes mum check done by the practice nurse
The GP will do the 6-8 week physical examination of baby which is similar to the check done by the NIPE trained doctor or midwife done in baby’s first 72 hours and often follows up any minor issues from that first check that needed reviewing
The mother’s check involves things such as looking at when you had your last smear and getting you booked in for that (information your midwife or health visitor wouldn’t necessarily have access to) and prescribing any contraceptives or other medications you may want or need (midwives and health visitors don’t prescribe)

The health visitor and GP checks of baby at this stage are completely different and definitely need to have both