Pre & Post Pregnancy Exams

Preconception check-ups are important to ensure that you are healthy and prepared for giving birth. This visit is recommended for up to a year before you are deciding to have a baby, even if it is not your first pregnancy. A doctor will work with you through a checklist of important factors, such as your personal and family medical history, that may affect your pregnancy and require monitoring throughout the gestation period. A pre-pregnancy check-up is one of the best things you can do to help ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby!

A postpartum exam is often recommended four or six weeks after giving birth. This check-up helps assess your physical recovery from the pregnancy and delivery, and address your needs moving forward. This examination is a safe and comfortable environment for you to consult your health care professional on any questions or concerns you may have. Many women are still experiencing aches and pains during this time, and have questions about how their bodies have changed. Questions regarding breastfeeding, birth control, exercise, sex, and work are also very common and come up often during the post-pregnancy exam. Patients are encouraged to work through any and all concerns they have. It may help to write down a list of these concerns, to ensure that they will all be addressed at this appointment.

A postpartum exam can include:

• A physical examination
• Complications that were experienced during the pregnancy, labour or delivery, and if there is any impact on your health.
• Any physical symptoms you may be experiencing (e.g. bleeding, abdominal discomfort, vaginal or perineal pain, urinary or anal incontinence, sore breasts, etc.). Keep in mind that your caregiver may not ask you about every symptom. If this is the case, be sure to speak up and let him or her know about any other symptom(s) you are experiencing.
• An emotional assessment: Your caregiver will want to know how you are adjusting to being a new mother, as many parents can feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or even depressed during this busy time. Do not be afraid to be honest about your feelings. Your caregiver can also assist you in receiving additional support, if needed.
• Breastfeeding: Questions, concerns, and progress, if applicable.
• Birth control: Your options, which method is best for you, and how to proceed, if applicable.
• Concerns about having sex: You may or may not feel comfortable about having sexual intercourse after your pregnancy. Your caregiver can answer any questions or address any concerns you have, regarding sex.

Remember that a pregnancy is unique to every individual! Common aspects of a typical postpartum exam are outlined above, but there are many other areas that you or your caregiver may wish to address. At any time, feel free to ask questions or bring up concerns you may have. Our team’s goal is to help you feel healthy, confident, and prepared for motherhood.

Contact us today to book a pre- or post-pregnancy exam. Please call us at 403-72-EAGLE, or fill out the form below.