Postpartum Health
Discussing your pregnancy, birth and postpartum health will help identify and treat any issues as soon as possible, before they become chronic.
Postpartum Health with Jersey Women’s Health Hub
The aim of a postpartum check is to review your physical and mental health after having a baby, and prove support where it’s needed.
Anyone who has concerns surrounding their birth or postpartum health, no matter how small the issue might seem, should consider a postpartum check up.
The Details
Why arrange a postpartum check?
The aim of a postpartum check is to review your physical and mental health after having a baby, providing support where you need it or answering any questions you may have.
We will discuss any health issues you may have had during pregnancy, as well as the events of your birth and any complications arising from this.
We will also arrange any tests or ongoing treatment required, and discuss family planning for the future.
What will be covered during the postpartum check?
We will discuss various topics at your postpartum check, including: reviewing any wounds you may have and check their healing; we will review your abdomen and advise whether you need physio; enquiring as to whether you are breastfeeding or formula feeding and how it is going, offering any advice if needed; discussing your bowel function and if you have ongoing constipation, faecal incontinence or haemorrhoids; checking your bladder function–leaking small amounts of urine when coughing or sneezing is normal, but if symptoms are severe or persist, we will assess whether further treatment is needed; discussing any vaginal bleeding if it has not stopped by six weeks, or if it is purulent.
We may also discuss your mood and explore issues such as postnatal depression, as well as your experience of birth and arrange a debrief with your midwife or obstetrician if necessary.
Sexual intercourse and contraception
You can have sexual intercourse again when you feel emotionally and physically ready. Usually, it takes a few weeks for any perineal stitches to heal, and it may take longer for you to feel interested in resuming sexual intercourse. If intercourse is painful, a lubricant may help. If you are still having issues, then this is a good opportunity to discuss this.
If you wish to avoid pregnancy, you should be using contraception–even if you aren’t having periods. We can discuss the best options for you, taking into account how soon you may want another baby.
Other services
It’s often difficult to feel heard when speaking about issues related to women’s health. That’s why—at Jersey Women’s Health Hub—we’re here for you every step of the way. From fertility issues to menopause, we’ve got you covered.