How you’re feeling

You can discuss how you’re feeling, any worries and your mental health and wellbeing. Your Midwife or Consultant might consider your risk of postnatal depression and anxiety, including whether you’ve had any mental health concerns before.

Research shows that half of postnatal mental illness isn’t picked up, so if you have any concerns at all about your mental health, please do mention it. The earlier problems can be identified, the better, so try to bring up any worries you have, no matter how small you might think they are.

They might ask about your lifestyle too, such as what support you have at home or how well you’re sleeping.

Bleeding after birth

After birth, you will experience some vaginal bleeding and your Midwife or Consultant will normally ask about this. They’ll also ask whether you’ve had a period since the birth.

If you had an episotomy, they might offer to check your stitches or ask how they’re feeling. If you have discomfort around your perineum (the area between your bottom and vagina), your Midwife or should check to make sure it’s healing well.

Your tummy

Your Midwife or Consultant might feel your tummy to make sure your uterus has gone back into its old position. If you had a caesarean birth, your Midwife or Consultant might offer to check your scar.

Sex and contraception

At this point, it may well be the furthest thing from your mind but you can ask about sex after birth, if you’d like to.

Your Midwife or Consultant will also probably ask you what you now plan to use, since you can get pregnant again pretty soon after birth. They can outline your options and give you a prescription if needed.

Going to the toilet

Your Midwife or Consultant might ask you about your toilet habits and if you are leaking urine when you cough or laugh. Don’t be embarrassed or worried if you do; incontinence after childbirth is common.

Pelvic floor exercises can really help with incontinence so ask your Midwife or Consultant about them if you need information or tips.

Some women also find they fart or poo when they don’t mean to after giving birth. Embarrassing as it may feel to talk to the Midwife or Consultant about this if you’re experiencing it, do make sure you mention it to them.

Your breasts and feeding

Your Midwife or Consultant might ask you about how breastfeeding is going and whether you have any symptoms of anything like mastitis. They might be able to give you details about feeding support if you need any and might examine you if there’s a problem with pain.

Legs

Your Midwife or Consultant might ask about any varicose veins, swelling or any symptoms you’re having with your legs that might suggest a blood clot.

Weight

If your BMI is 30 or more, your Midwife or Consultant might ask to weigh you. They can advise you on healthy eating and postnatal too.

Medical problems

If you had a medical problem when you were pregnant or if a previous issue got worse, your Midwife or Consultant might give you a check-up to see how things are going. For example, your Midwife or Consultant will normally check your blood pressure if you had problems during pregnancy or right after the birth. They will also do blood tests if needed, for example to check for anaemia.

Rescheduling a smear test

If your smear test was due while you were pregnant, it can be rearranged for 12 weeks after you gave birth.