Postnatal Care | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
Comprehensive women's health, every stage of life
Bringing a new baby into the world changes everything in your life, including your own body – in ways that deserve just as much attention as your pregnancy did. At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, postnatal care is where we help you navigate the fourth trimester, including the physical healing, the emotional rollercoaster, and the everyday questions that come with new motherhood. Our board-certified OB/GYNs are here to support your recovery with the same care and attention you received throughout your pregnancy.
To schedule your postnatal care visit in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online.
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What Is Postnatal Care?
Postnatal care, often called postpartum care, covers the weeks and months following delivery, when your body is working to recover from labor and adjust to life after birth. It’s easy for this stage to fall to the bottom of the priority list. New mothers pour so much energy into prenatal appointments, preparing for baby’s arrival, and then once the baby is born into their brand new baby that their own recovery can start to feel like an afterthought.
It’s our mission with postnatal visits to make you, the mother, the priority to ensure that you have everything you need to heal both physically and emotionally. A postnatal visit puts that focus back on you, your healing, and the transition into this next chapter.
When Should I Schedule a Postnatal Visit?
We routinely schedule postnatal visits for patients at both two weeks and 6 weeks after delivery. However, if there are any physical recovery or mental health concerns, then moreif more frequent visits might be recommended. This window gives your body time to begin healing while still allowing your provider to catch any concerns early, before they have a chance to become bigger issues.
What We’ll Talk About During Your Postnatal Visit
Your postnatal visit is a conversation as much as it is an exam. We want to know how you’re really doing, not just how your body is healing, but how you’re adjusting emotionally and practically to life with a new baby. Topics we typically cover include:
- Any complications that came up during childbirth
- Unexpected turns in your delivery, including an emergency C-section or last-minute decisions
- Proper recovery and aftercare
- Breastfeeding and how your body is adapting
- Emotional wellbeing and screening for postpartum depression
- Sexual health and birth control options
- Any new or ongoing health concerns
- Your baby’s overall progress and how you’re both settling in
What Happens During a Postnatal Visit?
In many ways, a postnatal visit resembles your annual gynecological exam, tailored to where you are in your recovery. This visit is also your opportunity to process your childbirth experience with your provider, ask the questions that have been sitting with you since delivery, and leave feeling grounded and confident about what comes next. There’s no set length to this appointment, it takes as long as you need it to.
Depending on your needs, your appointment may include:
- Standard measurements, including your blood pressure, weight, and heart rate
- A pelvic exam to check how your body is healing and returning to its baseline
- Thyroid and hormone level assessments
- A conversation about bleeding, incontinence, hemorrhoids, or constipation
- Screening for postpartum depression and other mental health concerns
- Guidance on resuming sexual activity and choosing a birth control method
Can I Bring My Baby to My Postnatal Appointment?
Coordinating childcare with a newborn at home is no small task, and we understand that. In most cases, bringing your baby along to your postnatal visit is completely fine, and these appointments tend to be relatively brief. If you’d rather your baby stay home, especially if you’re mindful of illness or exposure, your spouse, a close, trusted family member or friend can often step in for the short time you’re away. Our team is used to working around the realities of life with a newborn, so don’t hesitate to ask our office what arrangement might work best for you.
Why Choose Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates for Your Postnatal Care?
Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates has supported women through every stage of their reproductive lives since 1963 and offers decades of commitment that doesn’t end the moment your baby is born. We believe postpartum recovery deserves the same clinical excellence and personal attention as pregnancy itself. Our providers take the time to listen, answer your questions without judgment, and make sure you leave every appointment feeling seen, supported, and cared for as a whole person, not just a new mom checking a box.
Schedule Your Postnatal Visit at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates Today
Your recovery matters. To schedule a postnatal care appointment at our Wellesley office, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online. We’re here to help you feel like yourself again.
Postnatal Care FAQs
How soon after giving birth should I schedule a postnatal visit?
Most patients are seen between two and six weeks postpartum, with a recommendation that all patients should be seen within 12 weeks of delivery. Your OB/GYN may adjust this timeline based on your delivery and recovery, and generally where you are in your healing journey. If you feel you need to be seen sooner due to questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out for a visit. Our goal is to help you feel strong, healthy, and stable as you navigate motherhood whether it’s your first baby or your fourth.
Is a postnatal visit necessary if I feel fine?
Yes. Some complications and concerns, including postpartum depression, don’t always present obvious symptoms right away. A postnatal visit helps catch issues early, even if you’re feeling well.
Will my postnatal visit include a mental health screening?
Yes. We prioritize screenings for postpartum depression and other mental health concerns and make it a standard part of postnatal care, since emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical recovery. Your body and mind have been through so much more than you realize with hormone fluctuations that can sometimes come on silently. We make it our mission to check all the boxes on your well-being so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your new baby.
Can we discuss birth control at my postnatal appointment?
Absolutely. Your postnatal visit is a great time to talk through birth control options that fit your body, your recovery, and your plans for the future. At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, we offer a variety of different birth control options, including medications, IUDs, and Nexplanon, and we do insertions right in our office. We’ll discuss each of these options with you and help you find an option that works best for your lifestyle.
What if I had a C-section or a complicated delivery?
Your OB/GYN will review your specific delivery experience, including any emergency decisions or complications, and tailor your postnatal care and recovery guidance accordingly.