Your Postpartum Checkup After A C-section and What To Expect

What are your expectations with the upcoming postpartum checkup after delivering via C-section? Do you have any pressing concerns before your appointment? Preparing for your postpartum appointment and knowing what to expect is beneficial for you.

Before leaving the birth hospital, you will receive all your home care instructions to bring home. In addition, your nurses will remind you of your doctor’s appointment and reiterate to follow your Postpartum C-section care plan. 

The day has finally arrived for you to see your doctor and get all the necessary postpartum exams and health screenings you need.

It’s also good to check beforehand to bring your baby with you if you don’t have someone to leave the baby with at home. Most often than not, the clinic will allow this request. 

This time with the covid pandemic, there may be limitations. So it’s always better to check first.

At my first C-section checkup, I went alone and left my son with my husband. Then my second C-section doctor visit, I also went without my baby – she was in the NICU being a 28-weeker preemie baby.

If you’re a first-time mom or this is your first C-section birth, I’m hoping you’ll gain a better understanding of what to expect in a postpartum doctor visit after a C-section.

What is a postpartum checkup?

It’s a routine medical checkup on moms who had just delivered their babies either vaginally or through a C-section.

As a new mom or newly postpartum mom, you are at risk for any severe complications in days or weeks after your C-section; any life-threatening complications can occur as well.

It’s crucial to be on top of everything concerning your health, and getting this medical checkup when appointed is essential. 

When will you have to go? 

After your C-section, your nurse must have set up your postpartum checkup at two weeks. Or the nurse instructed you to arrange your checkup at two weeks when you get home. 

Although, in general, moms who have given birth may see their doctor at six weeks or so; having gone through a major surgery like a C-section; you will need to show up at the clinic earlier or around the two-week mark.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG’s revised postpartum care recommendations in 2021 – “To optimize the health of women and infants, postpartum care should become an ongoing process, rather than a single encounter, with services and support tailored to each woman’s individual needs.”

“It is recommended that all women have contact with their obstetrician-gynecologists or other obstetric care providers within the first three weeks postpartum. This initial assessment should be followed up with ongoing care as needed, concluding with a comprehensive postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks after birth.”

You can read the more detailed information on their website. 

Why shouldn’t you skip this necessary follow-up? 

Making sure you are recovering well.

Your doctor will be assessing you and your recovery in this first visit. In addition, it will serve as a baseline for your postpartum health status.

This postpartum doctor visit isn’t just a regular checkup; instead, it’ll be a comprehensive one. There will be lots of questions and also bodily exams.

There will be consecutive spaced-out visits after this first one until you are cleared by your doctor- most likely in 12 weeks.

Checking your C-section Incision and healing.

As you care for your C-section wound at home, this will be the time for your doctor to check on the surgical wound area.

Any changes to the wound and the surrounding skin will be all noted in your medical record. 

The doctor will take a closer look at your wound to find out if the healing is progressing. Again, watching for any signs of infections.

Following up on any C-section Complications in this postpartum checkup.

During your surgery and immediate recovery in the hospital, you may have experienced untoward signs and symptoms.

For example, severe bleeding, severe nausea, extreme drowsiness, allergic reactions, or uncontrolled pain; anything that occurred post-surgery/recovery.

You’ll be informed of what happened, what interventions were done, and what caused them.

If you had pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and others, your doctor would explain the recovery and what you can do.

It would be best if you took notes of these particular instructions. Your doctor will give a postpartum care summary to you for reference. 

Addressing any concerns you have: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health

You will be asked and assessed in terms of your overall wellbeing. 

Initially, your doctor will focus on your physical recovery and recommend any appropriate measures to follow at home.

Next will be your mental health. You can tell how your thoughts have been ever since coming home with your newborn.

The probing questions will also be based upon your postpartum mental health screenings.

Then last will be how you have been feeling these days. With regards to yourself, your baby, your spouse, and others. Do you talk to someone about your emotions, worries, concerns?

Receiving instructions on what you can do now at two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks.

At this time, your doctor will discuss necessary postpartum guidelines in connection with your length of recovery.

You may expect these instructions; however, if any complications occur or any underlying health problems are present, you may need additional information to remember.

Discussing future reproductive plans (birth control, new pregnancy, etc.

Well, you must be thinking – how on earth would we talk about getting pregnant again when I just gave birth. So hold up, let me say this.

There’s a chance you might become pregnant as early as six weeks after giving birth, and it can happen.

You never know – if there haven’t been any conception barriers used when sex happened during these times, you can get pregnant again.

Another pregnancy right after a C-section can be risky for you and your baby; this can be especially true if you are a high-risk mama. In general, your doctor will tell you to wait for a year and a half to recover and heal fully.

You can discuss the preferred birth control you want to be placed on with your doctor. If you decided to go natural family planning, then let your doctor know as well.

Getting referrals to other health care providers.

What do I mean by this? When you had your baby and had underlying medical conditions, you will be referred back to your health specialist or primary care doctor. 

If you have a heart problem, diabetes, lung problems, or other medical issues, you need to coordinate follow-ups with these doctors.

Additionally, if you had been diagnosed by your doctor with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or postpartum psychosis, your doctor will refer you to other health care providers to facilitate treatment.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) “SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.”

For Mamas who lost their babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, and others, you are still a postpartum mom recovering from delivery either through natural or surgical.

This time is difficult for you. I’m sorry for your loss.

There aren’t enough words to mend your broken heart at this moment. I don’t know how you feel right now. But, please know, I’m here to extend my support. Reach out to me if you ever need someone.

I’ve experienced a miscarriage and the heartbreaking time of going home not pregnant. Then, seeing my doctor for my postpartum checkup at one week and a half was gut-wrenching.

Having a doctor you can trust, who is compassionate, and someone you can be honest with your innermost pain is helpful. So it was a consolation when I saw her again at my post-miscarriage checkup. 

You will need to follow up with your doctor. They will have to perform all the necessary exams and screenings with you.

Know that you can get help for anything that makes this postpartum period much harder to recover from. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself time to heal.

What to Expect at your postpartum appointment after your C-section?

Physical Exam: 

• Vital signs: Blood pressure, Heart rate, Respiration Rate, Temperature and Pain
• C-section Wound
• Pelvic Exam
• Breast Exam
• Any Health Conditions

Mental Health Screenings: 

• Your feelings and any concerns with this new transition
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
• Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale

Other Important Instructions to Remember:

• Referrals to other specialists
• Family Support 
• Newborn care at home
• Other emergency matters – call 911.

What common questions your doctor may ask you?

• How are you feeling?
• Hours of sleep when the baby sleeps?
• Any pain?
• How’s your wound?
• Any more bleeding?
• How’s breastfeeding going? Any problems?
• Are you eating okay?
• How’s the baby?
• Any other concerns?

What common questions do you have for your doctor?

(Make sure before you visit your doctor to write all your questions down.)

• When will the C-section Wound completely heal?
• When can I exercise? Have sex?
• Is it safe to take a bath tub soak? Swim?
• At what week can I resume driving a car?
• What should I continue to watch out for?
• What to do in case of complications occur?
• When should I call for help with my emotions/thoughts?

Your doctor will also remind you what to watch out for in the following weeks to come.

Signs and Symptoms To Monitor at Home After Your C-section

• Heavy Bleeding
• Uncontrolled Pain
• Severe Abdominal Pain
• Sudden Chest Pain
• Sudden Shortness of Breath
• Unexplained pain on one or both legs
• High Fevers or Chills
• Severe Headache and Visual Changes
• Hallucinations and Suicidal Thoughts

Be sure to call 911 for an emergency. Contact your doctor by phone to let them know of your condition.

The postpartum checkup after your C-section Delivery

Your postpartum recovery begins as soon as you gave birth in the operating room. However, your recovery doesn’t end when you see your doctor for your first postpartum checkup after a c-section delivery.

Your body will continue to adjust in the coming months to a year. However, after delivery, your mental health will be vulnerable for up to two years or so. 

Take preventative actions on your part, be mindful of your overall health, not just physically but also mentally/emotionally. 

Remember to keep open communication with your doctor at all times during this postpartum period. Also, get your spouse in the loop of your postpartum health, so he may be able to assist and support you better. Finally, reach out to anyone you trust and if you prefer, keep them updated.

Attending your postpartum checkup is a top priority for all postpartum moms. You’ll feel less stressed and prepared when you walk into your appointment now that you know what to anticipate.

RELATED POST: POSTPARTUM KIT FOR A C-SECTION MOM

What was your experience with your first postpartum doctor visit? What did you do to prepare for your checkup? Did you feel supported by your doctor?

Share this article with your family and friends. Pin it for later.