The 6 week GP check and sign off is often viewed as a green light for all pre pregnancy activities to resume.
Right?
Not so fast….
This check up is often as vague as it gets. Which is why it’s a poor metric for you to be signed off for exercise.
Are you feeling ok?
Is baby feeding ok?
It’s because this check is so vague that your prolapse may have gone unchecked (and many women will have an element of pelvic organ prolapse at this point and not be aware)
It’s because this check is usually a few questions that might have left you wondering “perhaps these sensations ARE normal?”
It’s because we don’t want to bother anyone with symptoms or concerns
It’s because it makes us realise how little we know about our bodies and because our ante natal education barely even mentioned the pelvic floor
Here’s how to rock your 6 week check
Ask to be examined
– Has uterus contracted
– How is your pelvic floor / tummy
– Ask scars and / or stitches to be checked check
– Ask about any symptoms you are feeling / noticed (even if they are not bothering you at that moment)
If you don’t feel comfortable with being checked or would simply like to see a specialist then ask for a referral to a women’s health physio.
A women’s health physio will examine you and also be able to suggest your next steps in returning to exercise, if that’s a question you have.
6 weeks is still so early in your recovery, even if your delivery seems straightforward and you are feeling well. There is still a huge amount of healing to do.
I know COVID has meant that many appointments were not made, or not encouraged to be made or made and not kept but this is your right to see someone post birth.