3 Important Questions To Ask During Your Postpartum Checkup
If you have recently had a baby, it's probably almost time for your postpartum checkup. In the past, it was recommended that women normally see their obstetrician four to six weeks after giving birth. According to new guidelines, however, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that women should see their obstetrician within three weeks of having a baby.
No matter how long you wait after giving birth, here are three important questions you'll definitely want to ask at your postpartum checkup.
1. Why Am I Still Bleeding?
Postpartum bleeding is completely normal. If you are like most women, you will experience heavy vaginal bleeding for up to 10 days after giving birth. After 10 days, the bleeding should become lighter and eventually you will only have some spotting. This spotting can continue for up to six weeks following your labor and delivery.
If your bleeding continues to be heavy or you have large blood clots, this could be cause for concern, and you should definitely bring it up with your obstetrician.
2. Why Am I Still Experiencing Pain?
If you're like most women who have given birth, you can attest to the fact that having a baby is one of the most painful experiences in the world. If you've had a vaginal birth, you can expect to experience pain and discomfort around the perineal area and rectum for up to five weeks after giving birth. If you had a vaginal tear, pain sometimes last more than six weeks.
While having a C-section can be less painful, it is considered an operation, and there is always discomfort following the procedure. Most of the pain will subside 3 to 4 days after the procedure, but some women still experience discomfort for up to six weeks following their C-section.
3. Why Am I Crying So Much?
Pregnancy and birth cause the body to go into hormonal overload. These changes in hormone levels will probably wreak havoc on your emotions. Along with trying to manage your emotions, you're probably also sleep deprived, which can make things especially overwhelming when caring for your newborn. The important thing is to give yourself permission to cry. This can be hard if you are not one to express your emotions, but having a good cry can actually make you feel better.
Along with crying, you might also experience other emotions including anxiety, irritability, and impatience. If you're still crying when it's time for your postpartum checkup, it may be a sign of postpartum depression, which is why it's good to ask your obstetrician about it.
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