The 6-week postnatal check is one of the most significant appointments in the postpartum period and one of the most underused. Many parents arrive unprepared and leave with the same questions they walked in with, partly because the appointment is short and partly because the format varies widely by GP.
Here's what it's meant to cover, what it often skips, and what you should raise regardless of whether you're asked.
What the check covers
The 6-week check is actually two separate reviews that often happen together: one for you (the parent who gave birth) and one for your baby. Some practices split these, some combine them.
For you:
- Emotional wellbeing, including screening for postnatal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
- Physical recovery, including your wound or perineum if you had stitches, and your c-section scar if applicable
- Blood pressure check
- Contraception discussion
- Any ongoing symptoms from pregnancy
For your baby:
- Weight and growth check
- Heart and hip examination
- Eye and reflexes check
- Skin and fontanelle
- Questions about feeding and development
What it often misses
The 6-week check is not as thorough as many parents expect. Appointment times are short, often 10–15 minutes for both reviews combined. The following are frequently inadequately covered:
Pelvic floor. Very few GPs ask in detail about bladder or bowel symptoms. Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or exercise is common but not normal, and it is treatable. If no one asks, raise it yourself.
Physical pain. Perineal discomfort, ongoing back pain, pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), and joint pain related to relaxin are often not volunteered by parents and not asked about by GPs. If something hurts, say so.
Mental health beyond a questionnaire. The EPDS is a useful screen but it's a starting point, not a complete picture. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty bonding are often underreported because parents are worried how it will sound. Your GP cannot help with what you don't tell them.
Feeding. Breastfeeding difficulties, formula concerns, and weight gain questions may not come up. Your health visitor is often better placed for these, but if feeding has been a significant issue, mention it.
Questions worth preparing before you go
You'll get more from the appointment if you come with specifics.
About your physical recovery:
- Is my scar or perineum healing normally?
- I'm still experiencing [symptom], is that expected?
- When can I safely return to exercise?
- I'm having symptoms affecting my bladder or bowel, who should I see?
About your mental health:
- I've been feeling anxious or low more days than not. What support is available?
- I'm having intrusive or scary thoughts. Is that normal?
About contraception:
- When is it safe to have sex again?
- What contraception is appropriate while breastfeeding?
About your baby:
- My baby is doing [X], is that normal?
- We're having difficulty with feeding. Where can I get more support?
- When is the next check?
If you're not doing well and find it hard to say so
This is more common than any questionnaire captures. If you're not coping, if the Edinburgh scale felt like something to pass rather than something to answer honestly, it's worth saying directly: "I'm not doing as well as I indicated."
GPs can refer you to talking therapies, to specialist perinatal mental health teams, or to other services depending on what you describe. But they can only act on what they know.
If you find it hard to say these things in person, write it down beforehand and hand the GP the note if you need to.
After the check
The 6-week review is a threshold, not a destination. It doesn't mean your recovery is complete or that ongoing symptoms should be tolerated. If something develops after the appointment or persists beyond what your GP told you to expect, go back.
Your health visitor should continue to be a point of contact into the months that follow. Use them.
Your recovery and your mental health are not less important because your baby is healthy. Use the time you're given.