Postpartum OB appointment?

Manada · August 2014

So HOW important is that 6-week PP appointment?

Our MFM/OB is based out of the hospital we delivered our babies at. When we were discharged after the birth I was told to make a followup appointment for 6 weeks PP (last week).... I did not, and so far the thought of having to go back to the hospital, and to the high-risk clinic where he sees patients feels like a special kind of torture. Really, it far outweighs any anxiety I feel over not doing that appointment at all....

So how important is it anyway? What do they do in it? Did you go to yours? Would you recommend it?

I was being followed by our midwife for the first month or so PP, so I am not totally in the dark, all seemed normal and am not really concerned about anything specific that I couldn't ask my family doc about....

shandorfml2 · August 2014

I know it's hard sweetie, but I think it's important to go. They make sure you are healing correctly. They check your uterus/cervix/vagina to make sure everything has gone back to it's prepregnancy state. It's also a good opportunity to ask questions about future pregnancy, and review any tests you had done on yourself or the babies. (((hugs)))

lexusolsen · August 2014

It is very important. It's so hard but you will have to go back there again too. I'm hoping (like many things related to our loss of ds) that the first time will be the hardest. Hang in there.

OSUWifey09 · August 2014

***SIGGY***

Like pp said, it's important to go. I know it's hard - I had such anxiety about it that I had my sister come up to go with me, and she lives an hour away (H was gone on military duty at the time) - but it's important. That's one appointment I wouldn't skip. Maybe you could call ahead and ask if you can wait in the car until they're ready to call you back? My OB's office told me to come in right when my appointment started, and they took me back immediately instead of having me wait in the waiting room.

The appointment will not be a walk in the park emotionally, as I'm sure you already know. Both me and my OB cried while we talked through what happened, how I was healing and what would happen next time I got pregnant. I also got prescriptions for anti-anxiety meds, sleeping pills and a referral for a counselor. I did NOT want to go, but once it was over, I was glad I'd gone in. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. *hugs*

TeamWinForever · August 2014

It's a tough appointment for sure, but it is really important to go. I second the suggestion to call the office ahead of time and ask about being brought back immediately or ask to be scheduled during their least busy time. Does your OB have multiple offices? Mine does and so they scheduled me at the location where they see mostly gyn patients, not OB. Could be worth asking about. Despite how hard it is, it's important to know that your body is healing properly.

kz's_girlygirl · August 2014

Sig warning****** I am so sorry you are dealing with anxiety over this appointment. It is definitely not a fun one, but I think it is important to make sure you are healing properly.

I couldn't deal with people in the beginning, so my mom actually made me appointment for me (and cancelled some other appointments I would no longer be needing). If she hadn't I probably would not have gone at all either. Maybe someone can set an appointment up for you and get you in first thing, or maybe right after the office reopens after lunch so you will have less wait time?

The office I went to at the time had separate sides for OB vs Gyn, so I was really grateful for that. If that is something your office has, it will at least make the waiting room a little easier.

Once I was brought back, I was weighed and my bp was taken. I had to undress, and my Dr. did a quick pelvic exam (speculum and digital) to check the size of my uterus and make sure any physical trauma from the birth was healing. I think they also did a pap? She asked about my bleeding, we talked about the testing/results we had done on my placenta and Jesse's tissue sample, and also about how soon we would be physically able to safely cycle again (We are IVF'ers as well).

Our loss was due to a combination of factors and I asked a ton of questions about possible causes, possible ways to avoid a repeat situation, odds of a repeat situation etc. Even though I knew there were no good answers, it helped me to be able to ask anyway.

I will be thinking of you and Healz

AshersMom11 · August 2014

I agree with the PP's. It was an extremely emotional appointment, but it is a very important one. I wouldn't skip it. If possible, could you try and ask for the first appointment of the day? That may also help cut down the wait time and there will be less of a chance of running into other patients. That's what I did. I also had my husband come along for emotional support and he had questions of his own he wanted to ask the doctor.

VyD81 · August 2014

I also agree with pp, it's important to go to make sure you're healing properly. It is also helpful to write all your questions down before your appointment so you don't miss anything, I was very emotional and couldn't remember all the questions I wanted to ask. It was not easy for me to go and I cried on DH shoulder, but I'm glad I went.

Maybe Joleisa · August 2014

Walking back into the hospital to my MFM's waiting room was the worst and most difficult part of the day. I had 6w of incompetent cervix research behind me and I was glad to talk/make the appointment with the MFM who delivered me. (The other docs are azzholes and if we are able to hit the IVF lottery again, I will be finding a new practice.) Appointment was just like what @kz's_girlygirl‌ described. Good luck to you.

msunshine123 · August 2014

I agree with previous posters - it's an important appointment. But bringing someone with you for support can help as it is not easy going back. You want to make sure you are healing properly and have your questions answered. Good luck!

erinel · August 2014

**********sig warning***********

I realize I'm replying a little late, but wanted to suggest calling your doctor's office to see if they can fit you in either really early or during lunch. That's what my doctor did for me, and she had me come straight back to an exam room, to make sure that I wouldn't have to worry about sitting next to happily expecting moms if there were any in the waiting room.

LyndseyTS · August 2014

It will be super tough, but definitely important. I didn't have appropriate "normal" follow-up and ended up on a roller coaster of regular visits to the emergency room and a couple of blood transfusions. I really do believe that this could have been avoided if someone had checked things out sooner. I'm sure you may have already made your decision, but just thought that my experience might help make the decision easier (if it can be made any easier). Thinking of you.

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