Wondering what to expect in your 6 week postpartum visit? Navigating the early postpartum days after your baby is born can be overwhelming. Between sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and physical changes to your body, even brushing your teeth can feel like a win!
This 6 week postpartum checkup is more than just a routine appointment — it’s your opportunity to check in with your OB-GYN, both physically and emotionally, and ensure you’re healing well after delivery. It’s also a great time to ask questions, screen for mental health concerns like postpartum depression, and make plans for future pregnancies (or not!).
What to expect at your 6-week postpartum visit
At this visit, your obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN) will assess how you are recovering from birth. They may ask questions about:
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Incision healing (if you had a C-section or perineal tear)
- Breastfeeding or feeding your baby
- Sleep and energy levels
- Mood and mental well-being
- Return to physical activity and sex
- Birth control options
- Chronic health conditions like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes
You may also have a physical exam, including a pelvic exam and possibly a pap smear if you’re due. If you had complications or specific symptoms like prolonged bleeding or pain, this visit helps rule out anything serious.
Does the 6-week postpartum exam hurt?
This is a common concern, especially if this is your first birth. The truth is, it depends. Some people find the pelvic exam or cervical swab (if you’re due for a pap smear) mildly uncomfortable, especially if they’re still healing. If you’re having pain, dryness, or tightness, let your provider know right away. They can adjust the exam, apply more lubricant, or even delay certain parts of the exam until you’re more comfortable.
Also, emotional discomfort is just as valid. If you’re feeling anxious, vulnerable, or overwhelmed, speak up. Your provider’s there to support you both physically and emotionally.
Why is the 6-week postpartum checkup important?
The 6-week postpartum visit marks a key milestone in postpartum care. While babies usually have multiple checkups in their first months, most birthing people will have just this one. That’s why it’s important to come prepared with a list of questions to ask at your 6-week postpartum visit. (Don’t worry — we included some suggestions below!)
By this time, most of your major physical wound healing — whether from a vaginal or cesarean birth — has happened, making it a really good time for your OB-GYN or obstetric healthcare provider to check that your recovery is on track. This visit gives you a chance to review your experiences during labor and delivery, as any lingering questions, and make sure you’re healing properly — both internally and externally. It’s also when most people will get that much-anticipated “all clear” for things like sex and exercise.
Equally important, your OB-GYN will check in on your mental and emotional health, screening for postpartum depression and other mood disorders. If you have ongoing or new symptoms that came up in the weeks after delivery — like pelvic pain, incontinence, or signs of diastasis recti — this appointment is the perfect time to bring them up.
Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends that postpartum care be an ongoing process rather than a single visit, the 6-week checkup remains a cornerstone. It lays groundwork for your long-term physical and emotional health as you transition into life after pregnancy.
What will they do at my 6-week postpartum visit?
Here’s a closer look at what typically happens at your 6-week postpartum visit.
Review your labor and birth
Your 6-week postpartum checkup is the time to revisit your labor and birth experience. You may have lingering questions or concerns you didn’t get to ask right after your delivery. Usually, labor doesn’t go exactly as planned. This can be hard to process emotionally and physically. Talking through what happened — including any interventions you weren’t anticipating (like forceps for example) and how they may impact future pregnancies — can be incredibly helpful. Write down your questions ahead of time to make sure you get the answers you need.
Discuss persistent symptoms
This visit is also a chance to check in on your healing and address any lingering physical symptoms. Pregnancy and childbirth bring major changes to your body, and it’s normal to wonder what’s typical. If you have any concerns about issues like diastasis recti, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, or incontinence, bring them up now. Your provider can assess your recovery and refer you to a pelvic floor PT if needed.
Get a mental health check-in
The postpartum period is known for emotional ups and downs, but it’s important to understand the difference between common baby blues and more serious postpartum depression or anxiety. Your OB-GYN may ask questions about your mood and coping skills — be honest. Early support makes a big difference. Some signs that may suggest you need further support include intense sadness, severe anxiety, trouble bonding with your baby, or thoughts of self-harm.
Discuss future issues/concerns
Your 6-week postpartum visit is also the time to plan ahead for your health. If you had gestational diabetes, your provider may check your blood sugar to make sure it has normalized. Routine tests like a Pap smear, blood work, or additional follow-up appointments might be recommended based on your needs.
You’ll also discuss birth control options and when it’s safe to have sex again. If you’re thinking about future pregnancies, now’s a good time to ask how long your provider recommends waiting and if there are any specific considerations for your health.
Your 6-week postpartum visit at a glance
Here’s a recap if you want a quick checklist:
- Physical assessment of your abdomen, incision, and perineum
- Pelvic exam to check uterus size, healing, and any pelvic floor issues
- Blood pressure check, especially if you had high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Mental health screening to differentiate between baby blues and postpartum depression
- Review of any lab work if needed, especially if you had gestational diabetes
- Discussion of birth control options and when it’s safe to have sex again
- Opportunity to talk about your delivery experience and ask questions
Should I see a pelvic floor physical therapist postpartum?
Absolutely. While OBs may check for general healing, they often don’t assess pelvic floor strength, coordination, or function in much detail. No matter how you gave birth (vaginal or cesarean) a pelvic floor physical therapist (PT) can help to address:
- Urinary or fecal leakage
- Pelvic pressure and tissue laxity (this could mean pelvic organ prolapse)
- Diastasis recti
- Pain with sex
- Postpartum abdominal weakness
- Low back, hip, abdominal, or pelvic pain
- Constipation
- Difficulties fully emptying your bladder
In some countries, postpartum pelvic PT is standard. We believe it should be here, too. Fortunately, pelvic PT is becoming much more accessible. In most states, you can get a postpartum evaluation without a prescription. And if you have any symptoms or issues that you are concerned about, you can safely get support from a PT as soon as you are discharged from the hospital! Otherwise, we recommend booking with a pelvic PT between 4 and 6 weeks postpartum or starting an online postpartum recovery program like the V-Hive.
Questions to ask at your 6-week postpartum visit
Whether you’re speaking with your OB-GYN or a PT, here are some great questions to bring along to your 6-week postpartum checkup:
- How is my abdominal wall? Do I have diastasis recti?
- Can you assess my pelvic floor strength and coordination?
- How has my scar (perineal or cesarean) healing? Is the tissue moving like you would expect? Can you show me how to massage around the area?
- Do I have a pelvic organ prolapse? What are signs of pelvic organ prolapse I should watch for?
- Is it normal to feel pain during sex or exams?
- How do I deal with vaginal dryness?
- What’s a safe way to resume exercise (or sex)?
- What unusual symptoms should I look for to report to you right away?
- When should I schedule my next visit?
The bottom line
Your 6-week postpartum checkup is your opportunity to take back your health and voice after birth. Your baby is important — but so are you. In the U.S., where postpartum care is minimal, this visit can make a huge difference in your healing journey. Use this time to ask questions, advocate for your needs, and plan your path forward — physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Whether you’re navigating pelvic floor symptoms, rebuilding strength, or simply figuring out what’s normal after birth — we’ve got you. Start your 7-day free trial in the V-Hive now and get instant access to the pelvic health education and exercises you need to heal and recover in the postpartum.
