If you're pregnant, your OB appointments are focused on your health and on the health of your unborn baby. However, once you deliver your baby, the focus will be on you. If you're about to deliver your baby, now's the time to plan for your postpartum OB appointments. Your OB will schedule your postpartum appointment for about six weeks after you deliver your baby. If you're not sure how to prepare for your postpartum appointment, read the information provided below. You'll find three topics you should discuss with your OB at your postpartum visit.
Delivery-Related Issues
After you deliver your baby, your OB will stop by to talk to you about the delivery. If this is your first baby, you might not be prepared to answer the questions.
During this visit, your OB will be available to answer any questions you might have about the delivery. This is especially important if you experienced any complications during labor and delivery. Some complications might include excess bleeding, prolonged labor, severe tears, or complications requiring a C-section.
Postpartum Problems
Now that you're nearing the final stages of your pregnancy, it's important that you start preparing for your postpartum OB appointment. One of the benefits of your postpartum appointment is that it gives you the opportunity to discuss any postpartum problems you might experience.
To make sure you take full advantage of that opportunity, create a postpartum journal right now. Your journal will give you the space you need to write down any problems you might experience following the birth of your baby.
Some of those problems might include heavy bleeding, prolonged pain, constipation, or postpartum depression. These are all important issues that should be discussed with your OB at your postpartum appointment.
Birth Control Options
If you're in your last trimester of pregnancy, you're probably not thinking about birth control options, but you should be. In most cases, your OB will recommend that you abstain from intercourse until after your postpartum appointment.
However, if you don't want to get pregnant right away, you'll need to discuss birth control options with your OB, even if you plan to breastfeed. You might not realize this, but it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding, even if you don't menstruate. If you're not sure what type of birth control to use, talk to your OB. They can help you choose an option that will work best for you.
