10 Questions to Ask at Your 6-Week Postpartum Checkup

The postpartum checkup is short, and most mothers walk in with more questions than time. Choosing your top few ahead of time helps you leave with a plan, not a list of things you forgot to ask. Bring this list, write down the answers, and bring a support person if you can.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers patient guidance on what postpartum care can include, which is a helpful read before your visit.

1. How is my physical recovery going, and what is typical at this stage?

Ask your provider to check how you are healing and to explain what to expect over the coming weeks. Recovery looks different after vaginal and cesarean births, so share how yours went. Mayo Clinic outlines common experiences in the weeks after delivery, which can help you form your questions.

2. Which symptoms should make me call you before my next visit?

Ask your provider to name the signs that need a prompt call. Common categories to ask about include heavy bleeding, fever, severe pain, and swelling or redness that is getting worse. Write the answer down and keep it where you can find it at night.

3. Will you ask about my mood and how I am coping?

Many providers use a short questionnaire at postpartum visits, and you can also raise your feelings yourself. Say what you have noticed, including worry, low mood, or feeling unable to cope, even if you are unsure it matters. The National Institute of Mental Health explains when to seek care. If you need support before your visit, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline offers free, confidential help at 1-833-852-6262. Our guide on the difference between matrescence and postpartum depression may help you find words for what you feel.

4. What can I do about exhaustion, and when is it worth a closer look?

Tiredness is common after birth, and it has many possible causes. Ask your provider which causes are worth checking in your case and what realistic rest might look like. Our pillar guide on why you may still be so tired postpartum covers the many contributors. If stress is a large part of your day and you are breastfeeding, ask whether our postpartum stress and mood formula for new moms fits your plan.† Postpartum Mood Support is not for use during pregnancy.

5. Should I have any blood work done, including a check of my iron?

Pregnancy, birth, and feeding all draw on your body's nutrient stores. Ask whether any labs make sense for you, and let your provider decide what to order. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements explains iron's role in the body. Our guide on how pregnancy and childbirth affect your iron status can help you prepare.

6. Which vitamin should I take now, and for how long?

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Ask whether to continue your prenatal or move to a postnatal formula. Pink Stork Total Postnatal, formulated for postpartum recovery, is formulated with omega-3 DHA, B-complex vitamins, and zinc to support postpartum recovery and replenishment.† Many healthcare providers recommend continuing postnatal supplementation for at least 6 months postpartum, or as long as you are breastfeeding.† Our guide on how long to take a postnatal vitamin covers timing.

7. How is feeding going, and where can I get support?

Whether you breastfeed, pump, or use formula, ask your provider for feeding support that fits your life. If you breastfeed, ask what your own nutrition should include. Our postpartum multivitamin with vegan DHA and iron includes DHA, which supports healthy brain development in baby through breast milk.† Ask your provider whether it fits your feeding plan.

8. What are my options for planning or spacing a future pregnancy?

Ask your provider to walk you through the choices, how soon they can start, and how they fit with feeding your baby. If you hope to have another baby, ask how long to wait and how to prepare your body. This is a question to explore with your provider, and your answer can change over time.

9. When can I return to exercise, sex, and my usual activities?

Timelines differ by person and by type of birth, so ask for guidance that fits you. Ask what to try first, and what signs mean to slow down. Many mothers also ask about pelvic floor care at this visit.

10. Who should I contact between visits, and when is my next one?

Ask for a name and a number, and ask how to reach your provider after hours. Find out when to book your next visit and what to track in the meantime. Knowing where to turn takes pressure off the hard days.

"A lot of women come with a list. A physical handwritten list of symptoms. Or maybe supplements they've been wondering about. And I'm like, we need to talk about sleep and what are your habits, and yes I need to explain hormones."

— Jessica Nazzaro, DO, FACOG, NCMP, Board-Certified OB-GYN and National Certified Menopause Practitioner

How can you get the most from your visit?

Pick your top three questions before you go, since time is short. Write down how you have been sleeping, eating, and feeling, and bring the labels of anything you take. If something is unclear, ask your provider to say it another way.

"Every mother deserves to be heard. Asking for help is not weakness, and no mother should carry the hard days alone."

— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork

Total Postnatal + DHA is a Clean Label Project Purity Award winner and was Amazon's best-selling postnatal multivitamin in 2024. It is third-party tested and made in cGMP-certified facilities. Pink Stork is woman-founded and woman-led, with more than 50,000 verified Amazon reviews across the brand. For the wider transition into motherhood, read our guide on what matrescence is, or see why many mothers feel like a different person after having a baby.

Supplements are one part of care. They do not replace rest, support, or visits with your provider.

Frequently asked questions

What happens at a postpartum checkup?

Your provider usually reviews your recovery, your mood, your feeding, and your plans for the months ahead. Ask your provider what your visit will include.

Do I have to wait until 6 weeks to be seen?

No. Contact your provider any time you have a concern. Many providers also schedule an earlier contact, so ask what is planned for you.

Can I bring my baby to the appointment?

Many mothers do. Ask your provider's office about their policy, and bring a support person if you can.

Should I keep taking my prenatal after birth?

Many mothers move to a postnatal formula after delivery, especially while breastfeeding. Ask your provider which is right for you.

Is Total Postnatal + DHA safe while breastfeeding?

Total Postnatal + DHA is formulated to support breastfeeding and recovery.† Ask your healthcare provider before you start any new supplement while breastfeeding.

Is Postpartum Mood Support safe while breastfeeding?

Postpartum Mood Support is labeled breastfeeding-friendly. Ask your healthcare provider before you start any new supplement while breastfeeding.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.