Women all over the country are feeling failed by their General Practitioners at their 6-8 week postnatal check as GPs are focusing more on contraception going forward, than the wellbeing of the mother.

Guidelines vary throughout the country, but the NHS website says that you could discuss the following:

• How you are feeling, your mental health and wellbeing
• Any vaginal discharge and if your menstrual cycle has returned
• A blood pressure check
• Any problems during pregnancy or postnatally
• Be offered an examination to check your stitches (vaginal birth of caesarean section)
• If you were due for a cervical screening test while pregnant, this should be rescheduled for 12 weeks after the birth
• A discussion about contraception going forward
• Advice about use of Vitamin D (if breastfeeding)
• Take your weight and given healthy eating and physical exercise advice.

Due to the pressure the NHS is currently facing, with a shortage of General Practitioners and a lack of available appointments, we are seeing an increase of mothers being unheard. Their needs and wellbeing disregarded and skipped over, just to discuss contraception. 

As many as 8 out of 10 women experience "baby blues" but when symptoms of feeling sad or unhappy continue, as well as a change in eating habits, being irritable and feeling disconnected from baby for longer than a week - it can be a sign of postnatal depression, a condition that affects 1 in 10 women.

This needs to change.

1. Appointments for a mothers postnatal check need to be allocated a longer period of time
2. GPs need to make asking a mother about her mental health and wellbeing a priority over a discussion about contraception
3. A national minimum should be agreed and put into practice for care of mothers (following every pregnancy and birth)