The Six-Week Postnatal Check: Looking After Mother and Baby
The six-week postnatal check is not just a quick look at the baby. It is a chance to check how the mother is recovering physically and emotionally, how feeding is going, whether the baby is growing and developing as expected, and what support is needed for the next stage.
Why this matters
Many parents spend the first weeks focused completely on the baby and quietly put their own symptoms aside. Pain, bleeding, wound problems, pelvic floor symptoms, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep deprivation, anxiety, low mood and relationship stress are all valid reasons to ask for help. A GP can also talk through contraception, return to exercise, immunisations and follow-up after pregnancy complications.
A few helpful terms
· Postnatal check: A review after birth that should consider both the mother and baby.
· Pelvic floor: Muscles that support bladder, bowel and sexual function and can be affected by pregnancy and birth.
· Postnatal contraception: Contraception planning after birth, including during breastfeeding.
Common reasons to book a GP appointment
· You or your baby are due for a postnatal review.
· You had a caesarean, tear, difficult birth, high blood pressure, diabetes in pregnancy or significant blood loss.
· Feeding is painful, stressful or not going as planned.
· You feel low, anxious, overwhelmed, numb or unlike yourself.
· You want to discuss contraception, sex, pelvic floor symptoms or return to exercise.
What we can talk through together
For the mother, the appointment may cover bleeding, pain, stitches, caesarean wound healing, pelvic floor, bladder and bowel symptoms, breasts, feeding, sleep, mood, contraception, blood pressure, iron, diabetes follow-up and future pregnancy planning. For the baby, it may cover feeding, weight, growth, jaundice, skin, hips, eyes, heart, development, sleep, unsettled behaviour and immunisations.
What to expect at the appointment
The check can be emotional. Many parents feel they should be coping better than they are. A GP appointment is a safe place to say the honest version. Depending on your needs, your GP may examine you, check the baby, arrange blood tests, refer to a lactation consultant, physiotherapist, psychologist, paediatrician or hospital service, and plan follow-up rather than expecting one visit to solve everything.
How to prepare
Bring the baby's blue book, discharge papers, medication list, questions, and any feeding or weight information you have. If you are worried about mood, write down what has changed, when it started, and whether you ever feel unsafe or unable to care for yourself or the baby.
Care close to home in Maroubra and the Eastern Suburbs
Dr Amanda Henderson is a GP consulting at GP Maroubra, 14 Meagher Ave, South Maroubra NSW 2035. At GP Maroubra, she provides family-focused general practice care across pregnancy and pre-pregnancy health, shared antenatal care, women's health, contraception, paediatrics, skin checks, lifestyle medicine, travel medicine, men's health and preventive care. Patients commonly look for local care from Maroubra, South Maroubra, Coogee, Randwick, Malabar, Matraville, Pagewood and nearby parts of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
Choosing a GP is personal. It is reasonable to consider location, appointment availability, communication style, continuity and whether the services offered fit the reason you are booking. The aim is to help you feel prepared for a useful appointment and to know when a concern needs more urgent attention.
For postnatal care, her pregnancy and paediatric focus makes this a natural continuation of care after birth.
When to seek urgent help
Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, fever, severe abdominal pain, worsening wound redness or discharge, chest pain, shortness of breath, calf swelling, severe headache, thoughts of self-harm, thoughts of harming the baby, or a baby who is floppy, blue, very difficult to wake, not feeding, dehydrated or having breathing difficulty.
Common questions
Is the six-week check for the mother, baby or both?
It should consider both. It is reasonable to book enough time and mention at the start that you need both maternal and baby concerns addressed.
Can I talk about mental health at the postnatal check?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts and feeling overwhelmed are common and treatable. You do not need to wait until you are in crisis.
When should contraception be discussed?
At the postnatal check or earlier if needed. Fertility can return before periods restart, including during breastfeeding for some people.
What if feeding is not going well?
Ask early. Pain, low supply worries, oversupply, mastitis, bottle feeding questions and mixed feeding all deserve practical support.
Further reading from trusted Australian sources
· PANDA - perinatal anxiety and depression support
Practical next step
If this sounds like the help you need, book a GP appointment with Dr Amanda Henderson at GP Maroubra. A longer appointment is usually best if the issue is complex, emotional, involves paperwork, or includes more than one concern. Appointments can be made online or by calling GP Maroubra on (02) 9311 9311 during practice opening hours.
General information only: This information is general and does not replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. Health advice can change, and your own risks may be different. In an emergency, call 000.