Six-week maternal check — DRCOG MCQ

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HardPostnatalSix-week maternal checkDRCOG

A 29-year-old woman attends for her postnatal GP review 7 weeks after an uncomplicated vaginal birth. She asks what the appointment should cover. She feels well and is breastfeeding. What would you advise?

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Correct answer: C — Review physical recovery, mental health, contraception and long-term conditions

The best answer is “Review physical recovery, mental health, contraception and long-term conditions”. The postnatal review should consider maternal physical recovery, psychological wellbeing, contraception, feeding, safeguarding and ongoing medical issues. It is not solely a baby check. Cervical screening should follow the screening programme rather than be done automatically postpartum. Mood and contraception are core postnatal primary-care topics. Postnatal symptoms must be separated into normal recovery, conditions suitable for community treatment and time-critical maternal deterioration. Haemodynamic compromise, severe hypertension, sepsis features, heavy bleeding or urinary retention require prompt escalation. Breastfeeding can usually continue during treatment for uncomplicated mastitis and should be supported rather than stopped reflexively.

Reference: NICE NG194: Postnatal care: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng194/chapter/Recommendations