Your goal for a postpartum checkup is to get all of your questions answered. All questions are welcome! We can answer questions related to birth control, breast-feeding, bleeding, incontinence, hair loss, having sex again, diet and exercise, and on and on. We love these questions because we know they’re on your mind.

We especially urge you to observe your mood and tell us about any changes. As many as 3 out of 4 women will have short periods of mood swings, tearfulness, or irritability during the first week after birth. If you’re not sleeping or are becoming increasingly upset, you should call and talk with your care provider.

About 1 out of 10 women will develop serious depression during the first year after birth, more often in the first few months. Symptoms include:

• Feeling like a failure as a mom
• Feelings of panic
• Loss of appetite
• Fear that you’ll hurt yourself or your baby
• Feeling guilty
• Feelings of anxiousness and insecurity
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Crying a lot
• Feeling like you are not normal or real anymore
• Difficulty sleeping – you can’t sleep even when your baby is sleeping
• Angry, feeling like you might explode
• Feeling lonely
• Can’t make a decision
• Inability to concentrate or focus
• Thinking the baby might be better off without you