Welcoming a new baby can be one of your most joyful and memorable experiences. But the days and weeks after can be overwhelming as you learn how to care for your new infant and juggle your new role alongside many other responsibilities.

With everything going on, it can be tempting to skip the postpartum visit.

“But that’s not a good idea,” says Nebraska Medicine obstetrician and gynecologist Carly Jennings, MD. “Getting a global picture of your experience and how it may affect your care moving forward is essential to your ongoing, overall health. Keeping the postpartum appointment is important because it’s a time to address your recovery and get caught up on things. This visit allows you to ask questions and discuss important issues or needs that developed during or after pregnancy.”

10 reasons not to skip your postpartum visit

There are many reasons why you shouldn’t skip your postpartum visit. Dr. Jennings discusses the top 10 reasons below.

1. You may need continued monitoring of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure condition that can develop in some women during pregnancy. It can linger two to four weeks after delivery. “Your blood pressure should be checked within a week after delivery with close monitoring until your blood pressure returns to normal,” says Dr. Jennings. “If your blood pressure is high and it’s not monitored, you could risk a stroke or heart attack. This appointment helps us stay on top of it and ensure your blood pressure is properly managed.”
    
2. You may need help with postpartum depression. Postpartum depression usually develops within four weeks of childbirth but can develop anytime within the first year. Your doctor will assess your mental and emotional status at this visit. If you are experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or depression, your doctor can prescribe medications that are safe to use, even if you are breastfeeding. They may also refer you to a mental health specialist for ongoing care. 
    
3. You may have lingering or excessive bleeding. Most women are done bleeding by two to four weeks after childbirth, but light bleeding or spotting can linger for six to eight weeks. If bleeding continues past eight weeks or is excessive, it can be addressed at the postpartum visit. “The return of your period is going to be specific to you and should be something you discuss at this appointment,” says Dr. Jennings. “But if bleeding continues or is excessive, you could have an infection, or there’s a chance you could still have a piece of placenta inside your uterus that may need to be removed. Coming in will help us determine what is causing it and if further intervention is needed.”
    
4. You have developed an infection in the uterus. Your doctor will do a physical examination to make sure you have not developed any infections. Pain in the uterus and continued bleeding could be a symptom of an infection, which can be treated with an oral antibiotic. More intense abdominal pain, combined with fever, chills or bleeding, can indicate a more acute infection in the uterus, which may require intravenous antibiotics to resolve.
    
5. Your incision is not healing as expected. If you had a cesarean section, you might have closure strips or adhesive on top of your incision that typically fall off within seven to 10 days, which you can peel off at the two-week mark in the shower. But your doctor will want to check the incision to ensure it is healing correctly and ensure there is no skin breakdown or infection.
    
6. You have developed mastitis. Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue. While mastitis is more common among breastfeeding women, it can develop in non-breastfeeding women as well. Mastitis can cause inflammation, breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. You may also develop fever and chills. Simple mastitis, without an abscess, can be treated with oral antibiotics. If the infection persists, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for intravenous antibiotics. If an abscess is present, it will need to be drained.
    
7. Get current on your Pap smear. A Pap smear is done to check for any precancerous or cancerous cells on your cervix. You may be due for your next Pap smear by your postpartum visit. A test can easily be forgotten for a year or more if you miss your postpartum visit.
    
8. You may need to manage ongoing diabetes problems. If you develop gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, you have up to a 50% risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at some time in your life. “Your doctor would screen you for Type 2 diabetes at your postpartum visit if you had gestational diabetes with a glucose test,” adds Dr. Jennings. “We can also discuss lifestyle modifications to help prevent Type 2 diabetes and help manage any ongoing elevated glucose problems.”
    
9. To discuss other postpartum concerns, such as postnatal nutrition, headaches, hemorrhoids, and thyroid concerns. “While headaches and hemorrhoids may be fairly common postpartum, thyroiditis isn’t,” notes Dr. Jennings. “But if you are experiencing significant changes to hair and skin, cold intolerance or unexplained weight gain, we can screen for thyroiditis.”
    
10. To talk about postpartum contraception. Ask about the wide variety of hormonal and nonhormonal birth control methods available that may fit your current needs. This appointment is an excellent time to discuss your goals and the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision.

When should I schedule my postpartum visit?

If you had a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, the postpartum visit typically is scheduled six weeks after delivery. If you experienced any complications during your pregnancy or childbirth, your postpartum visit may need to occur sooner. Discuss when to schedule your follow-up with your provider.

Remember, if you are experiencing any physical or emotional issues that need more immediate attention, don’t hesitate to call your doctor to schedule an appointment sooner, recommends Dr. Jennings.

“The postpartum visit is an important time to put closure to your delivery,” says Dr. Jennings. “We like to discuss the events of your labor and delivery, explore what you felt went well or that you may change in the future. If you encountered problems, we can discuss those to help make the delivery go smoother next time. It’s also a time for your doctor to help you adjust to the physical and lifestyle changes that come with being a new mom.”