A few weeks after giving birth, you should visit the gynecologist. Perform the necessary post-pregnancy examinations: perineal examination, cytology and post-cesarean section evaluation. What can you expect during such a visit?
In the first days and weeks after the birth of the baby, a young mother focuses primarily on her baby - she worries about whether the baby eats, falls asleep, whether his navel is healing well, etc. However, you must not forget about your own he alth and condition. Whenpuerperiumis normal, at the beginning it is enough to contact the he alth visitor, who should be booked for a home visit. She will assess if the incisionperineumor the wound aftercaesarean sectionis healing well, advises you on how to care for it and tells you what measures can be taken to reduce pain.
Examination in puerperium - when to see a doctor?
But even when everything heals sensationally, and you feel great, you cannot ignore a follow-up visit to the gynecologist. Only a doctor can tell if everything is okay. When to go there? Soon after the end of the puerperium, that is, between the 6th and 8th week after giving birth. By this time, the postpartum faeces should disappear, and the wounds after a crack or incision of the perineum will heal, which will allow for a gynecological examination. The date of the first visit is the same regardless of whether the delivery was natural, surgical or surgical (caesarean section).
Postpartum examinations - what does the visit look like?
In the beginning, your doctor will talk to you about your labor and puerperium, as well as how you are managing breastfeeding. He will then perform a gynecological examination to see if there is anything disturbing in your reproductive organs, or if there is inflammation of your cervix or vagina. At this time, the vaginal mucosa is still very thin and sensitive to chafing, but the examination does not have to be any more painful than before the birth, and it usually is not. The doctor assesses the scar after an episiotomy or cesarean surgery, checking that the places have healed well and that there are no so-called Keloids. By touching the abdomen with his hands, he will also check that the uterus has contracted properly and has returned to its normal size. During this visit, the gynecologist should measure your blood pressure, check your weight and examine your breasts, especially if you are breastfeeding.checking for lumps or cysts. A few days before this visit, it would be good if you did some basic tests - blood count and urine analysis. Then you could go to the doctor with the results ready,
and only on this basis he will be able to say one hundred percent whether your body has returned to normal. If you don't have these tests, your doctor may ask you to do them. This is especially true for those women who, during pregnancy, had urinary tract infections (then urine tests must be performed) or anemia (blood tests must be performed). Be sure to tell your doctor about any problems you have, for example if you have been ill recently or still feel weak. In such situations, he or she may recommend a blood count or thyroid hormone test.
The first visit to the gynecologist after delivery coincides with the possibility of starting a normal sexual relationship. Make sure you can actually go back to sex and talk to your doctor about contraception.
Postpartum examination - what about cytology?
A Pap smear should be performed during pregnancy. If everything was fine then (i.e. you had the group
I or II marked on your result), you can come for another cytology only 4-6 months after giving birth. There is no need to do it in advance, especially as the result may be unreliable shortly after giving birth. However, if for some reason you did not have a Pap test during pregnancy, then you should get the material for this test as soon as possible, i.e. during the first postpartum visit to the gynecologist.
Disturbing symptoms in puerperium
Don't delay your visit if you notice disturbing symptoms that could include hemorrhage or inflammation. Report to the gynecologist as soon as possible when they occur:
- severe lower abdominal pain
- bright red, heavy bleeding (when you use more than one sanitary napkin an hour), still present one week after giving birth
- discharge with an unpleasant, putrid smell
- large blood clots (lemon size or larger)