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The Postpartum Check-In: What's Normal, What's Not, and How to Advocate for the Care You Deserve
The new mom's guide to recognizing what is and isn't normal after childbirth
New motherhood changes everything--your body, your brain, your emotions. But there comes a point when fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, hair loss, weight gain, and other notorious postpartum symptoms no longer fall under the category of "normal" and instead signal a deeper health issue. Many common postpartum symptoms are exactly the same as those of chronic health conditions that can be triggered by pregnancy and childbirth. So how do you know when it's time to seek help?
As a functional medicine doctor specializing in women's health and hormones--and a mother herself--Dr. Alexandra MacKillop knows how often postpartum struggles go unrecognized, undertreated, or dismissed. The Postpartum Check-In is designed to change that. She helps
● Decipher your symptoms and identify potential diagnoses
● Trust your instincts and stop explaining away warning signs
● Advocate for yourself when speaking to your physician
● Understand natural, alternative, and holistic treatment options
● Choose the smartest, safest path toward restoring your health
Backed by the most current research available, The Postpartum Check-In is your trustworthy guide to reclaiming your mind, body, and well-being after having a baby. You deserve real answers--and real care.
New motherhood changes everything--your body, your brain, your emotions. But there comes a point when fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, hair loss, weight gain, and other notorious postpartum symptoms no longer fall under the category of "normal" and instead signal a deeper health issue. Many common postpartum symptoms are exactly the same as those of chronic health conditions that can be triggered by pregnancy and childbirth. So how do you know when it's time to seek help?
As a functional medicine doctor specializing in women's health and hormones--and a mother herself--Dr. Alexandra MacKillop knows how often postpartum struggles go unrecognized, undertreated, or dismissed. The Postpartum Check-In is designed to change that. She helps
● Decipher your symptoms and identify potential diagnoses
● Trust your instincts and stop explaining away warning signs
● Advocate for yourself when speaking to your physician
● Understand natural, alternative, and holistic treatment options
● Choose the smartest, safest path toward restoring your health
Backed by the most current research available, The Postpartum Check-In is your trustworthy guide to reclaiming your mind, body, and well-being after having a baby. You deserve real answers--and real care.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 27, 2026
An important read for the postpartum season 🤍
Motherhood brings so many changes, and postpartum health deserves more attention than it sometimes receives. The Postpartum Check-In by Dr. Alexandra MacKillop focuses on helping mothers understand what can happen after childbirth, recognize symptoms that may need further attention, and advocate for the care they deserve.
I appreciate the emphasis on taking a mother’s concerns seriously rather than automatically brushing everything off as part of having a baby. From physical changes to mental and emotional well-being, postpartum recovery deserves thoughtful, informed care.
I would recommend this resource to expecting mothers, new moms, and anyone who wants to be better informed about postpartum health. It’s also a helpful reminder for those supporting a new mother that caring for mom matters just as much as caring for baby.
A meaningful addition to the conversation around maternal health and the support women need after childbirth.
Motherhood brings so many changes, and postpartum health deserves more attention than it sometimes receives. The Postpartum Check-In by Dr. Alexandra MacKillop focuses on helping mothers understand what can happen after childbirth, recognize symptoms that may need further attention, and advocate for the care they deserve.
I appreciate the emphasis on taking a mother’s concerns seriously rather than automatically brushing everything off as part of having a baby. From physical changes to mental and emotional well-being, postpartum recovery deserves thoughtful, informed care.
I would recommend this resource to expecting mothers, new moms, and anyone who wants to be better informed about postpartum health. It’s also a helpful reminder for those supporting a new mother that caring for mom matters just as much as caring for baby.
A meaningful addition to the conversation around maternal health and the support women need after childbirth.
October 25, 2026
I’m in the postpartum season with my fifth baby, and the question at the heart of this book feels especially relevant: How do we recognize when something deserves more attention than “you just had a baby”?
Having been a nurse doesn’t remove the vulnerability of being the mother who is healing, breastfeeding, and trying to understand her own changing body while caring for her children. There is a lot to hold in those early months.
What I appreciate about the premise of The Postpartum Check-In is its attention to the mother’s questions. Recognizing symptoms, speaking up at appointments, and seeking answers are things worth making room for. I want more conversations that give women permission to take their own recovery seriously. We love our babies deeply, and our health deserves care within that love.
Having been a nurse doesn’t remove the vulnerability of being the mother who is healing, breastfeeding, and trying to understand her own changing body while caring for her children. There is a lot to hold in those early months.
What I appreciate about the premise of The Postpartum Check-In is its attention to the mother’s questions. Recognizing symptoms, speaking up at appointments, and seeking answers are things worth making room for. I want more conversations that give women permission to take their own recovery seriously. We love our babies deeply, and our health deserves care within that love.
October 15, 2026
Who better to understand what women experience postpartum except a woman. Dr. Alexandra MacKillop had analyzed the updated, most current research and reveals some mind-blowing results and actionable treatment options. When you feel like a number after your 15-minute postpartum visit with your physician and walk out of the office with no true resolve to your symptoms and feel your warning signs are written off who better to advocate for yourself, but yourself! Knowledge gives you the power. No other book digs deep into what a pregnancy does to one’s body so you can advocate for yourself. This is a MUST READ for a woman considering pregnancy, pregnant, post-pregnancy and even supporting someone through this journey.
October 15, 2026
This book is highly educational, informative and relevant today. In light of how little time doctors have to spend with patients, the broad range of problems new moms can have, and the importance of being healthy for our babies, this book is crucial.
New moms need to understand what types of physical issues can happen, how it will feel and what to ask the doctor.
I haven't been a new mom for many years but remember vividly my thyroid issues, some problems with nursing, back pain when carrying our babies in Snuglis and Baby Bjorns, and so on.
It would have been very helpful to have such a wide-ranging, reassuring book as a guide. Thanks, Dr. MacKillop, for making such great contribution to maternal, and by implication, baby health and well-being!
New moms need to understand what types of physical issues can happen, how it will feel and what to ask the doctor.
I haven't been a new mom for many years but remember vividly my thyroid issues, some problems with nursing, back pain when carrying our babies in Snuglis and Baby Bjorns, and so on.
It would have been very helpful to have such a wide-ranging, reassuring book as a guide. Thanks, Dr. MacKillop, for making such great contribution to maternal, and by implication, baby health and well-being!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After visiting a (male) primary doctor who "did not know that breastfeeding makes you tired" (sic!) this book is just what I needed postpartum. It earnestly and in an informative way explains what is "normal" postpartum and which symptoms should be checked if they persist. As a mom who is so. busy that it my subconscious makes me consider everything going on a "postpartum symptom", I really appreciate this empathetic and informative wake-up call to consider my health. It is written by a physician and stems from her own experience when her problems went undiagnosed. Highly recommended as a gift for postpartum moms!
October 13, 2026
This book by Alexandra MacKillop is full of awesome postpartum advice. It is so difficult to navigate the healthcare system, especially as women, but even more so as women vulnerable after giving birth. Finally, there is a book to help us with self advocacy in the healthcare system. Healthy happy Mom equals a healthy and happy baby. This book enables us to take care of ourselves while taking care of the most important piece. This would make a great gift for expecting moms or people planning to have children, so they can know what to expect in the period after giving birth and Help plan on how they will take care of their own needs.
October 13, 2026
Completely reframed how I view postpartum health. I didn't realize that so much shifts postpartum. Obviously pregnancy is very demanding on the body, but of course that doesn't magically go back to normal postpartum. This book totally changed my understanding and expectations of postpartum so I am more prepared to advocate for myself after my baby is born. This should frankly already be the standard of care.
October 13, 2026
Research driven, experience validated, insights into a field that has unfortunately been untilled, yet is fertile ground for those who are in the midst trying to navigate their symptoms.
Readable and the section on advocacy was insightful.
Readable and the section on advocacy was insightful.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Good information to have
October 13, 2026
Such a helpful book, helping us recognize what is normal, and what is “normal but doesn’t actually have to be!” A must read for new mamas
October 13, 2026
Dr. MacKillop is writing with wisdom and great knowledge on an important topic for women. I highly recommend! Important for all mothers in the postpartum season.
October 13, 2026
An amazing resource for new moms! This book provides valuable guidance on postpartum recovery and empowers women to advocate for their health. A must-read for every expecting or new mother!
October 20, 2026
This is a great resource for all new moms to have on the shelf, so they can easily check and see what’s normal and what needs attention. Wish it had been around all those years ago when I needed it!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews