Postpartum Care and Seeing Your Doctor After Giving Birth

What is postpartum care?

Postpartum care refers to the support and medical care you receive after giving birth. In the United States, a standard postpartum checkup usually happens about four to six weeks after giving birth. However, you may need to be seen sooner if you had:

• a high-risk pregnancy (such as preeclampsia or high blood pressure)
• a complicated delivery (including surgical procedures or significant tears)
• a higher risk for postpartum depression or anxiety

What happens at a postpartum visit?

At your postpartum visit, your healthcare provider (a doctor or midwife) will check on how you're healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally. They'll talk with you about:

• vaginal bleeding and physical recovery
• how you're feeling emotionally
• chest- or breastfeeding, if you're nursing
• your plans for birth control of future pregnancies
• resources to support you during this period

These resources might include:

• Lactation consultants
• postpartum support groups
• mental health professionals
• parenting support centers
• doulas
• physical therapists
• nutritionists

A physical exam may also be done to ensure your body is healing well. 

Postpartum signs and symptoms to watch for

There are some things a new mother should keep an eye on after giving birth.

Bleeding

Some bleeding, called lochia, is normal for up to six to eight weeks. Most people bleed heavily for about two weeks, then may have lighter spotting. This is your body's way of shedding the lining of the uterus. 

Call your doctor right away if: 

• You're soaking through a large pad every hour for more than two hours.
• You're passing large blood clots.
• The bleeding suddenly gets heavier or doesn't slow down. 

These could be signs that some pregnancy tissue is still inside the uterus and may require treatment.

Mood and mental health

Emotional changes after birth are common. Many new parents experience what's known as the "baby blues"—feeling weepy, overwhelmed, or anxious. These feelings usually pass within two weeks.

However, about one in seven people experience a more serious condition called perinatal depression, which can begin during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. This can include both depression and anxiety, and it's very treatable with the right support. 

Reach out to your healthcare provider right away if you:

• feel persistently sad, anxious, or overwhelmed
• have trouble sleeping (not related to your baby's schedule)
• lose interest in things you used to enjoy
• have panic attacks or intrusive thoughts
• think about harming yourself or your baby

If you're in crisis, call 911 or reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).

Other symptoms to report to your healthcare provider

Let your provider know right away if you have any of the following:

• a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celcius)
• a headache that does not improve with medicine, or changes in vision (like seeing spots)
• chest pain, shortness of breath, heart racing or leg pain
• breast pain with redness, swelling, fever, or body aches (could be mastitis)
• severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• foul-smelling or unusual vaginal discharge

Taking care of yourself

When you come home with your baby, it's easy for all the focus to be on them. But your recovery matters, too. You've just gone through an intense physical and emotional experience, and your body and mind need time to heal. 

In many cultures, the postpartum period is a time when family and community step in to care for both the new baby and the person who gave birth. If you don't have that kind of support nearby, try to ask for help from friends, family, or your care team.

Your well-being matters—not just for you, but also for your baby and your family. You are still a whole person with needs, and those don't disappear just because you're now caring for someone new.

Make time for self care

Taking even small moments for yourself can make a big difference in your healing. Consider:

• resting whenever you can
• getting fresh air and gentle movement
• eating nourishing foods
• doing things that bring you joy (reading a favorite book, watching a moving, having a phone call with a friend)
• light exercise when cleared by your doctor

For more information or support with postpartum care, please visit our website or contact your healthcare provider. You're not alone—and you deserve care, compassion, and support every step of the way.

Reviewed by Dr. Nwamaka Onwugbenu, June 2025