Your Postnatal Check at Eltham Medical Practice (EMP)

Your Postnatal Check at Eltham Medical Practice (EMP)

Focusing on you

We hope you had a smooth pregnancy and are enjoying life with your new baby. However, we know the postnatal period can be challenging, and your postnatal check is a chance to talk through any concerns you may have.

You will receive a short questionnaire before your appointment. Your answers help us understand what matters most to you, so we can use the appointment time effectively. Thank you for completing this in advance.

How are you feeling?

How are you recovering physically and emotionally? Postnatal mental health problems are common, and we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to tell us how you are coping.

Support services:

Feeding

However you choose to feed your baby, we want to know how it is going.

If you are breastfeeding:

  • Are your breasts comfortable?
  • Does your baby seem settled after feeding?

If you are formula feeding:

  • Are feeds going well?
  • Have your breasts returned to normal?

Breastfeeding mothers should continue taking 10mcg of vitamin D daily.

Your health visitor can support most feeding concerns.

Useful resources:

Physical recovery

How are things feeling physically? If you had a Caesarean or vaginal wound, we can check healing at your appointment if needed.

Pelvic floor health is very important at this stage. The questionnaire asks several questions about this. Please let us know if you are experiencing:

  • Bladder or bowel problems
  • Vaginal discomfort
  • Pain during sex
  • Ongoing bleeding (your bleeding should be settling by this time)

Helpful links:

Existing or pregnancy-related medical conditions

If you had a medical condition before or during pregnancy, we may need to review this. Sometimes an additional appointment or blood tests are required.

Please let us know if you experienced temporary pregnancy-related conditions such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Anaemia

Contraception and family planning

If you need contraception before your postnatal check, please book an appointment or submit an online request for a nurse appointment to review your options.

Some women already know what they want, while others are unsure. If you feel your family is complete, or you want to avoid pregnancy for a while, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) might be suitable—such as the coil, implant or depo-provera injection. These methods are convenient and do not rely on remembering a daily pill.

Link: Contraception after birth

Keeping you and your baby well

Smoking

If you smoke, support is available to help you quit. Second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death. If anyone at home smokes, please encourage them to seek help as well.

Weight and physical activity

It is common to gain weight in pregnancy, and losing it takes time. If you would like support, let us know.

We encourage you to return to physical activity gradually. This is important for pelvic floor recovery. Speak with your health visitor or GP if you need advice.

Link: Keeping fit and healthy with a baby – NHS

Safety at home

Everyone deserves to feel safe at home. Sadly, domestic abuse can increase during pregnancy and after birth. If you have any concerns, please speak to us. Our team is trained and ready to support you.

If you are worried about the safety of your baby or have concerns about female genital mutilation (FGM), it is essential to tell us. We will support you and prioritise your safety.

Smear tests

If you are unsure when your last cervical smear was, we can check. If your test was due during pregnancy, it can be done from 12 weeks after delivery. 

Vaccinations

If your midwife told you that you are not immune to rubella, you will need two doses of MMR. You must avoid pregnancy for six months after the second dose, so please make sure you have chosen suitable contraception first.

If you think you may have missed other vaccines, our nursing team can advise you.

Your baby’s check

After we have reviewed your health, we will carry out your baby’s postnatal check. Your baby will need to be fully undressed, and will be examined head to toe. If available in the right time frame, you may also book an appointment with one of our nurses following this for baby to have their first vaccines.

Some babies get a fever after immunisations. The nurse will explain how to use liquid paracetamol—please ensure you have some at home beforehand.

If you have questions or feel you need more time to think about immunisations, you can book a telephone appointment with a nurse ahead of your visit.

Please remember to bring your red book.