Follow-up visits after NICU discharge

After having a baby, especially if you had a difficult pregnancy or birth, taking care of your own health is really important. Postpartum follow-up visits help to ensure your recovery is on track by keeping an eye on any problems that might have existed before or started during pregnancy.

Why these follow-up visits matter

Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on your body and can sometimes reveal hidden health problems. If you had complications like high blood pressure⍰ or gestational diabetes⍰, regular follow-up visits are even more crucial. These conditions can lead to long-term health issues like chronic high blood pressure, heart disease⍰, kidney problems, or type 2 diabetes⍰.

For example, women who had severe pre-eclampsia⍰ have a high chance of developing chronic high blood pressure within 20 years and may also face heart problems. Regular follow-up visits can spot issues early, manage risks, and start preventive care if needed.

Important areas for follow-up visits

Managing pre-existing conditions: If you had health issues before and/or during pregnancy, follow-up visits help make sure those issues are still being properly managed after birth.

Checking for health after birth: The three months after giving birth, known as the "fourth trimester," can come with new challenges like infections, mental health struggles, or recovery problems. If you had risk factors before pregnancy or these were caused by the pregnancy, FIGO recommends regular follow-up visits: at discharge, 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after giving birth.

Preventing future health risks: Your follow-up visits are a good time to discuss any changes in your overall health after pregnancy and birth, including questions about ongoing health monitoring, future health goals, and future pregnancies. You can also talk about topics like healthy eating, exercise, and sexual health to support your long-term well-being.

Steps to improve long-term health

Providing mother’s own milk: If you can, providing your milk (through breastfeeding or expressing) not only benefits your baby but also reduces your risk of heart problems later in life.

Healthy lifestyle: Eating well, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight can lower the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease⍰ or diabetes, especially if you had issues like pre-eclampsia. Getting enough rest is important. You can share night-time caregiving and housework with your partner, or even ask for support from other family members or friends.

Mental health support: Your mental well-being is important. If you are feeling down or anxious, it is okay to reach out for help from a healthcare professional or a counsellor.

Overcoming barriers to follow-up care

Unfortunately, many mothers miss important follow-up appointments after giving birth. This may happen because of a lack of resources, fear, or simply not knowing how important these visits are. To help you attend these follow-up visits, healthcare providers suggest using reminders and clear communication to make sure you get the care you need.

Attending these follow-up visits helps you recover from pregnancy and childbirth and sets you up for a healthier future. Remember, looking after your health is an ongoing process, and follow-up visits are a key part of that.

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