Postpartum Visits?

[susan1]

What kind of questions do you girls ask after PP. I would like to ask questions that will help me tell if I need to get help for the mom or to have a early visit.


I have been asking questions like:
How is the breastfeeding going?
How do you feel?
How are the brother and sister taking to the new baby?

I would like to add more questions...does anyone have any good questions to ask?

Susan

[tlcdoula]

My pp visit is typically free flowing and I never go in with any real questions. I think that most of the times my mamas just start talking and I can get a sense really quickly of how they are doing.

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula My pp visit is typically free flowing and I never go in with any real questions. I think that most of the times my mamas just start talking and I can get a sense really quickly of how they are doing.

I do mine exactly the same way, Michelle. I find that the unstructured PP visits are so relaxed that I get more accurate information from just talking things out and listening to her. Since it is after the birth, there is typically more of a bond there between mom & I compared to when we were doing Prenatals, so mom is usually even more willing to talk about her feelings about things.

The conversation will usually lead me to any pertinant questions that I should ask (breastfeeding, sibling adjustment, pospartum healing, etc.). Sometimes I'll ask them if they felt that they had had any "baby blues" and if so....if they felt that the depression was beyond normal hormonal stuff for just a few days (multips will usually be able to answer that one better than primips). If she has had some depression, then we'll talk about what all to look out for. Really, it's just a very casual, very friendly visit.

[Gentlebirthmama]

I agree with both post above...it's best I think to approach it in a very carefree manner, just woman to woman conversation about the new baby and motherhood.
The only thing I would add is if and when those questions about breastfeeding, baby blues, etc. come up ask more specific questions...instead of "how's the breastfeeding going?", ask "how often does the baby nurse?" or "is the baby latching on well" or "do you experience any discomfort when the baby nurses?", etc.
Instead of "are you experiencing any baby blues?", ask "how are you sleeping?", "do you sleep when the baby sleeps?", "do you have help with meals, laundry, etc?", etc, etc.
You get the picture. These types of questions will get the mom talking more and maybe opening up more if there is a problem.
Just my !