Don’t skip that 42-day postpartum checkup — it also screens for postpartum depression

It’s free; it’s part of basic public health services. It takes half a day. The hard part is that right after childbirth you often feel too lazy to go.

According to the “National Standards for Basic Public Health Services (3rd Edition),” postpartum care requires one home visit and one health checkup at 42 days. Local service lists confirm this visit includes lab tests (blood count, vaginal discharge) and a postpartum depression screening. Severe complications may appear throughout the first year. Items on the “Go to the hospital immediately” list in Section 7 — such as “thoughts of harming oneself or the baby,” “abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge,” or “severe swelling/pain in one limb” — all fall under postpartum risks.

国家卫生计生委 (2017). 国家基本公共卫生服务规范（第三版）. https://www.nhc.gov.cn/ewebeditor/uploadfile/2017/04/20170417104506514.pdf；靖江市人民政府. 国家基本公共卫生服务项目——孕产妇健康管理服务（地方服务清单公开）. https://www.jingjiang.gov.cn/xxgk/zdlyxxgk/wsjk/art/2023/art_383017a2e7794892bc772bfbe042f379.html

Postpartum depression isn’t a sign of weakness or something that can be fixed by family telling you to “cheer up.” There are specific screening questionnaires and treatments available, and recovery is possible. Handling suicidal thoughts is covered in Section 1. Legal options if caring for a newborn proves impossible are outlined in Section 9, Item 20. This checkup also evaluates wound healing, uterine recovery, pelvic floor function, and discusses contraception — remember, the absence of menstruation after childbirth doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible.