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Postpartum Perineal Care (cont.)

Postpartum Perineal Care Follow-up and Treatment

See your doctor for a check-up about four to six weeks after delivery. Expect to receive a full physical examination, including pelvic, rectal, and breast examinations. Call your doctor sooner if you have any questions or concerns.

For problems after childbirth, your doctor will give you a thorough physical examination, including a pelvic examination and a rectal examination.

Blood or urine tests may be done. A sample of abnormal discharge may be sent to a laboratory for cultures or other studies.

If an infection occurs from the episiotomy stitches, the stitches may be removed so the infection can drain.

If a blood collection is present, such as a hematoma, it may be opened and allowed to drain.

If the rectal exam shows infected or clotted hemorrhoids, they will be opened and allowed to drain.

Depending on the type of infection, antibiotics may or may not be given. Not all infections need antibiotics to get better.

If the physical exam is painful or leaves you with pain, you should ask for medicine to relieve the pain.

Most changes that happen to the woman during and after delivery are normal and natural. After delivery of a baby, many women initially are not able to move around as easily or comfortably as before the delivery. Women gradually get back to their prepregnancy state, but the healing process takes several weeks.