What to Expect at Your 6 Week Postpartum Check-Up
Written by Alyssa Carter, PT, DPT, OCS
Reviewed by Anna McMaster, PT, DPT, PRPC
It's time for your first check-up! We are going to review all the things you can expect and some questions to ask your medical provider.
Overview
Most women will have their follow-up with their medical provider around the 6 week postpartum mark. This is the standard of care recommended by ACOG and the WHO, and allows your body time to heal — especially if you required any stitches — and allows your provider to assess your healing and clear you from pelvic rest and to return to gentle activity.
A note on pelvic rest: this means avoiding anything entering the vagina — including intercourse, tampons, and menstrual cups — until your provider clears you. It's not a restriction on all movement, just on internal pelvic activity while tissues are healing.
What to Expect
They will ask you how you are feeling
They might ask about breastfeeding
They will ask how you are sleeping and eating
They might ask about your decided methods for birth control for when you decide to return to sexual activity
They will want to look at your vulva, especially any sites of tearing
They will likely perform a pelvic exam and might ask you to perform a kegel or pelvic floor contraction to assess for pelvic floor strength
If you had a cesarean, they might take a look at how the scar is healing
They will let you know if you are cleared for exercise and sexual activity
Questions to Ask
Here are some questions or things to ask your provider while at your follow-up appointment:
How many tears did you have? What was the location of the tears and the degree of tearing (1st-4th degree)?
If you had any tears or lacerations, how are they healing? Are they fully healed?
Do they see any hypergranulation tissue? (This is an overgrowth of tissue that occurs at the spot of healing and can be painful, bleed easily, and prevent proper healing of the tissue)
If you experienced any tearing, are you able to start postpartum perineal massage to prevent scar tissue?
Do they see a prolapse?
If you are breastfeeding or pumping, do they see any signs of low estrogen in your vulva or vaginal tissues? If so, what are the options for treating?
Are you cleared to start gentle activity?
Are you cleared for sexual activity?
Were there complications from your labor and delivery?
Is there anything that could complicate future pregnancies or deliveries?
Birth control options?
Remember to write down any questions you have for your doctor so you don't forget!
A Note on Returning to Exercise
This check-up may seem like a clearance for all activities, but it's important to know that being cleared at 6 weeks does not mean your body is fully ready for everything. Research shows that high-impact exercise increases the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction nearly five-fold compared to low-impact exercise. It is strongly recommended that you wait at least 12 weeks before participating in impact activities — think running, jumping, and HIIT workouts — regardless of your pre-pregnancy fitness level and type of delivery. This applies to both vaginal and cesarean births.
For personalized guidance through your fourth trimester and postpartum journey, Amie offers programs designed by pelvic floor PTs for every stage of your recovery.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018). Optimizing Postpartum Care. Committee Opinion No. 736. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 131(5), e140-e150.
World Health Organization. (2022). WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience. WHO Press.
Groom T., Donnelly G., Brockwell E. (2019). Returning to running postnatal: guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals managing this population. Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy, 124, 10-17.
Deering R.E., et al. (2022). Maximizing recovery in the postpartum period: a timeline for rehabilitation from pregnancy through return to sport. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 17(6), 1170-1182.