Postnatal care for the mother: midwife visits, check-ups and pelvic floor

Key rules

• Postpartum check-up: Your postpartum check-up is usually around 6 weeks after the birth.
• Who can claim: Anyone registered with public coverage and a tarjeta sanitaria can use matrona visits, the check-up and pelvic floor care.
• Pelvic floor referral: For incontinence or prolapse, ask your matrona, GP or gynaecologist for a referral to physiotherapy.
• Regional differences: Schedules, home visits and waiting times differ by region and health centre.

What the public system gives you after birth

You get three things: visits from the matrona, a postpartum check-up, and pelvic floor rehabilitation if you need it. Newcomers can use all three once they are registered and covered by the public system with a tarjeta sanitaria. The timings and who does what vary by region and health centre, so ask your centre for its exact schedule.

Matrona visits

The matrona is the public midwife at your health centre. She normally offers a first visit in the first week after you leave hospital. In some areas this happens at home. Home visits are mainly available in certain regions or for higher-risk cases, so expect to go to the centre unless you are told otherwise.

She looks at your recovery, and checks how feeding is going and your baby's weight. A second visit usually follows around 2 to 4 weeks after the birth to review your recovery and breastfeeding.

Your baby's own first check is separate. It is done by the paediatric nurse or paediatrician, and the first-week timing is in the planner below. Book it by calling the health centre, or follow the instructions you get when you are discharged.

The postpartum check-up

Your postpartum check-up is usually around 6 weeks after the birth. It covers your recovery, pelvic floor, contraception and mood. In most places the matrona does it at the health centre. Some regions send you back to the hospital gynaecology clinic instead. If nobody contacts you, call your centre and ask for the appointment.

Tell the matrona if you feel low, anxious or very tired. Mood is part of this check-up.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation

Pelvic floor rehabilitation after birth is part of the public system. There are two routes:

• Postnatal groups. Many health centres run groups with breastfeeding support, baby care and pelvic floor exercises. They usually start a few weeks after the birth. Ask your matrona how to join.
• Physiotherapy. If you have incontinence, prolapse or similar problems, your matrona, GP or gynaecologist can refer you to hospital rehabilitation or physiotherapy. Ask for the referral at your check-up or sooner.

Waiting times vary widely, and some areas have limited capacity. Private physiotherapy is a common alternative if you do not want to wait.

If you have just arrived

Register with your health centre and get your tarjeta sanitaria first. Without public coverage you cannot use these services. Once you are covered, the same access applies to you as to anyone else.

The planner below shows how these visits fit into the first eight weeks.

First eight weeks after birth: appointments and tasks

First eight weeks after birth

• Heel-prick test for your baby: 48 to 72 hours after birth, once feeding has started, even if you go home early or give birth at home

• Book your baby's first check at the health centre with the paediatric nurse or paediatrician: In the first week of life, usually within 48 to 72 hours of discharge; call the health centre or follow your discharge instructions

• First visit with the matrona (public midwife) for you and the baby, covering recovery, feeding and weight: In the first week after discharge, at the centre or at home in some areas

• Join a postnatal group for breastfeeding support, baby care and pelvic floor exercises: Usually starting a few weeks after the birth, if your centre offers one

• Baby's first main vaccines at the health centre, free of charge: At 2 months; the hepatitis B dose may already be given at birth in many regions

Frequently asked questions

Will the matrona visit me at home after the birth?

Possibly, but home visits are mainly offered in some regions or for higher-risk cases. In most areas the first visit is at the health centre in the first week after discharge. Ask the hospital staff at discharge or call your health centre to find out what your area does.

Will the matrona or a gynaecologist do my postpartum check-up?

In most areas the matrona at your health centre does the check-up, but some regions send you back to the hospital gynaecology clinic instead. Your discharge papers or health centre will tell you which applies to you.

How do I get free pelvic floor physiotherapy if I have incontinence or prolapse?

Ask your matrona, GP or gynaecologist for a referral to hospital rehabilitation or physiotherapy. You are eligible if you have public health coverage and a tarjeta sanitaria (health card), including as a newcomer.

Can I use these postnatal services if I have just arrived in Spain?

Yes, if you are registered and covered by the public system with a tarjeta sanitaria, you can use them like anyone else. Without that card, ask your health centre what you need to do first.