As with so many women who experience PPD, Jess’s story is complicated. She didn’t have it with her first child, Sarah, and the signs and symptoms with her second child, Joseph, didn’t appear until close to a year later. What’s more, the symptoms that typically describe PPD didn’t quite match what she was going through.
Dr. Tracee Suetsugu, a Honolulu-based OBGYN, shares with us what happens at the postpartum follow up exam and why it’s important to go. She says the transition from pregnancy to the first month postpartum is one of the toughest things women go through. I think it’s safe to say that most of us would agree.
A gynecology appointment is a bit like going to the dentist. No one particularly looks forward to it. At best it’s going to be uncomfortable and we hope that they don’t find anything wrong requiring another appointment or a procedure.
According to a June report from the College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 40% of women don’t go to their postpartum checkup.
You'd ice a bump, bruise, or injury right? You vagina after childbirth deserves that kind of care too. Forget the diaper with ice cubes shoved in it (as they do in hospitals). Make your own crotchsicles, or better yet have someone make them for you.
Congratulations! You had a baby or you're about to. Your poor awesome bottom is (will be) most definitely sore. In the midst of taking care of that precious little human, don't forget to care for the orifice she came out of. If you didn't already do so, put together a postpartum kit to nurse that vagina and supporting area back to health. Better yet, have someone grab these items for you.