A recent study led by Christine Agdestein, a general practitioner and PhD candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), examines key aspects of the six-week postnatal check-up offered to women after childbirth. The research forms part of her doctoral work and was conducted in collaboration with researchers from NTNU and the Nord-Trøndelag Regional Health Authority.
The findings show that most women who attend the postnatal check-up are satisfied with the consultation. Satisfaction was strongly associated with the opportunity to discuss the birth experience, address multiple relevant health topics, and receive a gynaecological examination. Commonly valued topics included the birth experience, contraception, breastfeeding, pelvic injuries related to childbirth, and mental health.
Despite the positive perception of the service, approximately one in four women did not attend the postnatal check-up. The main reasons included not having a regular GP, feeling that the visit was unnecessary, dissatisfaction with earlier GP consultations, or lack of awareness about the service. Notably, women with chronic conditions, high-risk pregnancies, or childbirth complications did not attend more frequently than healthier women, which raises concerns given their increased health risks.
The study also identified gaps in information delivery. Only 44 per cent of women reported receiving information about the postnatal check-up from the maternity ward, while others learned about it through midwives, GPs, friends, or social media. Additionally, nearly one-third were unaware that the consultation is free, a factor shown to significantly influence attendance.
Another key finding was the importance of proactively offering gynaecological examinations, as some women find it difficult to request them. Mental health discussions were included in many consultations, reflecting growing awareness of increasing postpartum depression rates in Norway.
Based on these findings, Agdestein is now developing a practical tool to improve information sharing, consultation quality, and attendance, aiming to strengthen postnatal care in primary healthcare settings.
