What to Expect at Your 6-Week Postpartum Appointment (And How to Advocate for What You Really Need)

If you’re approaching your 6-week postpartum appointment, you might be wondering:

“What’s even going to happen there?

“Am I supposed to ask about birth control or pelvic pain or sleep deprivation or... everything?

“What if I’m not okay, but I don’t know how to say that out loud?”

Let’s be real, this visit often gets framed as a simple sign-off. A medical checkbox. A “you’re cleared” moment.

But for many new parents, the 6-week postpartum appointment is one of the only opportunities to have their healing, questions, and mental state taken seriously by a provider.

This post will walk you through what’s actually covered at the 6-week checkup, what often gets skipped, and how to advocate for what your whole self really needs.

What Is the 6-Week Postpartum Appointment?

The 6-week postpartum visit (also called the postnatal checkup) is a standard follow-up after birth, typically scheduled with your OB-GYN or midwife. It marks the end of your “fourth trimester” in medical terms, even though your healing and adjustment may still be very much in progress.

What’s Typically Included:

• Pelvic exam (checking stitches, uterine shrinking (making sure its returning back to it pregnancy size), or signs of infection)

• Birth control discussion (and sometimes, pressure to choose one)

• Clearance for sex or exercise

• A brief mental health screening (like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale)

• Basic physical check-in (blood pressure, weight, etc.)

Sounds straightforward, right?

But here's the thing: this appointment was not built for nuance. And you deserve more than a 10-minute once-over.

What Often Gets Missed

Despite best intentions, many providers:

• Skip in-depth emotional check-ins

• Gloss over trauma processing

• Normalize discomfort that shouldn’t be normal (painful sex, pelvic heaviness, etc.)

• Forget to ask about feeding challenges or identity shifts

• Rush the visit due to time constraints

That leaves many parents feeling confused, dismissed, or like their postpartum experience isn’t valid enough to mention.

If you feel physically "cleared" but emotionally wrecked, you are not the only one.

How to Advocate for Your Needs at This Appointment

You are allowed to take up space in this room.

Here are ways to make the most of your 6-week postpartum visit and gently advocate for yourself:

1. Come With a List

You’re exhausted. Writing down your questions ahead of time ensures your concerns don’t slip through the cracks. Some ideas:

• What’s normal vs. not with bleeding or discharge?

• What if sex still sounds terrifying?

• Can I be referred to pelvic floor therapy?

• How do I know if this sadness is postpartum depression?

• Why am I still leaking urine when I laugh?

2. Be Honest, Even If It Feels Uncomfortable

Your provider can’t support what you hide. If something feels off, emotionally or physically, say so. Even if it feels small. Even if you’re not sure how to explain it.

3. Ask for Referrals

If your provider doesn’t offer support beyond their scope, ask. You might benefit from:

• A pelvic floor therapist

• A lactation consultant

• A postpartum mental health specialist

• A doula or peer support group

4. Say No to the “Cleared for Sex” Default

You are not a machine being signed back into use. You do not need to feel "ready" at six weeks. It's okay to:

• Say no

• Ask more questions

• Delay intimacy until your body and mind feel safe again

If You Feel Rushed or Dismissed

Here’s what to remember:

You’re not being dramatic. You’re being responsible.

If your provider brushes something off or leaves you with more questions than answers, that’s not a personal failure. It’s a systemic one. You can:

• Request a follow-up

• Ask for a second opinion

• Bring a partner or support person to help advocate

You are not "too much." You are just asking for enough.

Gentle Power Starts Here

Your 6-week checkup isn’t just a medical visit. It’s a chance to honor what your body has been through, and how your heart is doing now.

You deserve care that sees all of you, not just your stitches.

If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and want grounded, judgment-free postpartum support from someone who actually asks how you are (and stays long enough to hear the real answer), I offer in-home postpartum doula care focused on emotional recovery and nervous system repair.

Explore postpartum doula services to feel held as you heal.