Visit to the midwifery clinic after you have given birth

Besök på barnmorskemottagningen efter du har fött barn - engelska

After you have given birth, it is important to visit the midwife at the midwifery clinic. At the appointment, you will discuss how the birth went and how things have been afterwards. You will also undergo a physical examination and be given the opportunity to ask questions.

The visit is intended to let the midwife know how you are feeling and whether your body is healing properly.

Attending the visit is voluntary.

You can bring along your baby if you like.

Läs texten på svenska här.

How the visit is scheduled varies

How the visit is scheduled varies. In some regions, the midwife will call you to make an appointment. In other regions, you have to call to make the appointment.

When does the visit to the midwifery clinic take place?

The visit takes place within 16 weeks of the birth. You decide when it is convenient for you to go. If you wish, you can go after a few weeks.

You can go for one or two visits. You can even have additional visits if you wish.

During these visits, it is common to see the same midwife as you saw during your pregnancy. However, you can see a different midwife if you wish.

What happens at the visit?

You can ask any questions you may have.

You will talk about topics such as:

How you are feeling both physically and emotionally.
Your childbirth experience and how you felt things went. You will read the medical record of the birth, which states what care you received and the birth process you experienced.
Breastfeeding and feeding the baby.
How you feel about being a parent.
What it is like to have another child, if your baby already has siblings.
Sex and contraception.
Relationships.

Different measurements

At the visit, the midwife will usually measure your blood pressure and take a blood sample. You will also be weighed.

Examination in and around your vagina

The midwife will examine the area in and around your vagina. You will be asked to lie on your back in a special chair that has leg supports. Your legs will be apart and you will be completely undressed in the lower part of your body.

Examples of what the midwife will examine include:

Whether you have tearing in your vagina after giving birth.
How the muscles in and around your vagina and rectum are working.

If you had a caesarean section

The midwife will examine the wound visually and by touch.

If you need support

The midwife will help to arrange a doctor’s appointment, if necessary.

In some cases, you may need care from another healthcare provider, such as a physiotherapist or a psychologist.
The midwife will help you to make an appointment.

Get help from an interpreter

If you do not speak Swedish, you can get help from an interpreter during your healthcare visits. Let the clinic know you need an interpreter when you book your appointment.