SIX Weeks in: your postpartum check-up guide

CONGRATULATIONS, mom! You've made it through the whirlwind of the first six weeks.

- GERRY CUPIDO

If youre currently wearing the same trackpants for the third day in a row, surviving on lukewarm tea, and feeling a complex mix of intense joy, exhaustion, and maybe a little fear, you are absolutely normal.

Amid the nappy changes and cuddles, your six-week postpartum checkup is a crucial milestone, marking the official end of your initial recovery period. This appointment is much more than just a quick physical; it’s a comprehensive wellness check.

Your gynaecologist or obstetrician is there to ensure your body has healed well and to support your mental and emotional health.

Here’s a breakdown of the key areas your healthcare provider will focus on:

Physical healing and recovery

Uterine involution: Your doctor will feel your abdomen to check that your uterus has returned to its normal, pre-pregnancy size. After delivery, the uterus begins a shrinking process called involution. By six weeks, it should generally be back in your pelvis.