post natal visits

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Your postpartum checkup

Your six-week postpartum checkup is a comprehensive visit with your OB or midwife to check on your recovery after childbirth. You'll have a complete examination, including a mental health screening and any tests or immunizations you need. If all is well, you'll get the okay to start exercising and having sex again. This postpartum checkup is a good time to ask for referrals and nail down your plan for birth control. Don't hesitate to call your healthcare provider, though, if you have any concerns or signs of complications before your scheduled visit.

What is the six-week postpartum checkup?

Why is a postpartum checkup so important, what happens at the six-week postpartum checkup, questions to ask your healthcare provider at your six-week postpartum checkup, can i bring my baby with me to my postpartum checkup, concerns that shouldn't wait for the six-week postpartum checkup.

The six-week postpartum checkup is a comprehensive visit with your OB or midwife. The purpose of this appointment is to check on your physical recovery from pregnancy and delivery, see how you're doing emotionally, and address your needs going forward. Many women think of it as the "go-ahead" visit, meaning your practitioner can verify that you're ready for more intense postpartum exercise and having sex again.

This shouldn't be your first postpartum checkup with your provider, though: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women talk to their provider within three weeks after delivery and continue to receive follow-up care as needed, including a comprehensive checkup by 12 weeks postpartum. In many cases, that comprehensive visit happens at six weeks. (Your first contact is generally less comprehensive and may simply be a phone call or a virtual visit.)

Don't feel constrained by appointment dates, though. Sometimes physical or emotional issues come up that need immediate attention, like excessive bleeding , a potential postpartum infection , and any feelings that may lead you to think you might have postpartum depression or another postpartum mood disorder. Never hesitate to call your provider if you have concerns.

When you're busy caring for a newborn – and especially if you're feeling fine – it's easy to think about skipping your postpartum checkup. But this is an important visit. It's an opportunity for your provider to check on you, physically and emotionally. There are potential problems, such as infections and mental health issues, that could be missed without a visit and lead to more serious complications.

Your postpartum checkup is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about your birth experience and recovery, especially if you're recovering from a difficult birth experience . Are you wondering why something went the way it did during labor (why your contractions stopped for a bit or why your doctor used forceps , for example)? Worried about the chances of a repeat ( preterm delivery or cesarean , for example) next time?

You may still be dealing with some pregnancy- or childbirth-related aches and pains, too, and you may have some questions about how your body has changed. You may also have questions about postpartum issues like breastfeeding , birth control, exercise, sex, and going back to work . It helps to jot down the questions you want to ask and any other issues you'd like to discuss ahead of time.

If you've had a miscarriage , stillbirth , or neonatal death (when a baby dies in the first 28 days of life), it's important to see your provider to learn more about why it happened and to determine if you're at risk for it happening again in the future.

Here's what will typically happen at your postpartum checkup:

You'll undergo a physical exam.

During your physical exam, your healthcare provider will:

• Check your weight and blood pressure. They may also take your pulse and listen to your chest.
• Check your abdomen. They'll feel your belly to be sure that there's no tenderness and check your incision if you had a c-section . (Your provider would also have checked your incision a week or two after delivery to make sure it was healing properly.)
• Examine your breasts. They'll be on the lookout for lumps, tenderness, redness, and cracked nipples or abnormal discharge.
• Inspect your external genitalia, including your perineum. If you had an episiotomy , they'll check to see that it's healed.
• Do a speculum exam to look at your vagina and cervix. They'll be checking to see that any bruises, scratches, or tears have healed. And, if you're due for a Pap smear, they'll do that during the speculum exam.
• Do an internal pelvic exam to feel your uterus and check that it has shrunk appropriately, feel your cervix and ovaries to identify any problems, and check your vaginal muscle tone. They may also do a rectal exam.
• Manually check your thyroid (a gland in your neck responsible for hormone production) to make sure it's a normal size.

Your provider will also ask what physical symptoms you're having, such as whether you're still  bleeding  on occasion, having any abdominal discomfort, vaginal or  perineal pain ,  urinary incontinence  or  anal incontinence , or breast pain. If you have a bothersome symptom that your healthcare provider didn't cover, don't be afraid to speak up. They'll also ask if you're breastfeeding and how it's going. If you're having any trouble, they can refer you to a lactation consultant .

Your provider will check on your mental health.

How you're doing emotionally is an important element of your follow-up care. Your provider will want to know how you're adjusting to the demands of motherhood and about any emotional problems you may be having. They'll ask you questions – or have you fill out a questionnaire – to screen for postpartum depression .

Don't be shy. Talk about the baby blues , if you felt them. Especially talk about any lingering sadness or depression you're still feeling. It's important to let your provider know if you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They can provide medication that's safe to take now, even if you're breastfeeding. They can also refer you to a mental health specialist for ongoing care.

Your provider will order any tests or immunizations you need.

You may need lab tests if your provider is concerned about any conditions you had during pregnancy or delivery that might continue to affect you. If you had  gestational diabetes , you'll need a  glucose tolerance  test. Your OB or midwife will provide you with any necessary follow-up care you need for special health conditions.

They'll also offer any  immunizations  you may need, such as a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster shot, a flu shot, a COVID-19 shot or booster (the COVID vaccine is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women), or a  rubella  or  chicken pox vaccine . (If you were not immune to rubella or chicken pox before your pregnancy, you should have been vaccinated before you left the hospital after delivery. If that didn't happen, it's highly recommended that you get vaccinated now.) The chicken pox vaccine requires two doses, so if you got your first dose immediately postpartum, you'll get the second dose now.

Getting vaccinated can help prevent you from getting sick and passing the illness to your baby. In some cases, it can also help you provide your baby with some immunity if you're breastfeeding.

You'll discuss birth control and family planning.

Talk with your provider about if and when you'd like to have more children. Because it's possible to become pregnant at any time postpartum (even if you haven't gotten your first postpartum period yet or you're breastfeeding ), it's important to talk about birth control.

You may need to make changes. For example, if you took the pill before pregnancy and are breastfeeding now, your practitioner will change your prescription to the "minipill" (progesterone only). Or you may decide it's time to try a different method. Talk with your provider about the pros and cons of each method you're considering. If you are planning on getting an IUD or an implant (like Nexplanon), let your OB provider know and they can insert it during this visit.

You'll get the okay to start exercising and having sex. 

If all is well, you'll get the go-ahead for exercise, weightlifting, and sex. Ask your provider if there are any restrictions, because of complications you may have had or chronic conditions you have, for example. If you were active throughout pregnancy and had a vaginal delivery without complications, you've probably been able to do light exercise within days of having your baby, if you felt up to it. But if you had a c-section or weren't exercising all along, then your provider may want you to wait until your six-week postpartum checkup to begin exercising.

Don't worry if you don’t feel up to having sex yet, despite your clearance. Many women have little to no interest in sex for several months after giving birth. Wait until you feel ready.

Finishing up

Your provider will let you know when you should return for routine gynecological care (including any follow-up for your chosen contraceptive method) and give you any necessary referrals. Many women may benefit from physical therapy, such as pelvic floor physical therapy , especially if you had (or have) significant perineal tearing, a forceps delivery, diastasis recti , or urinary incontinence, for example. Talk to your provider to see if you need a referral.

They'll take care of necessary paperwork: If you're on maternity leave , for example, you may have forms for your healthcare provider to fill out, stating that you gave birth. The office team at your provider's office will know what to do to get this taken care of.

If you need a prescription refilled, make sure it's taken care of before you leave. And before you go, look at your notes and make sure that your provider has addressed all of your concerns.

Again, your postpartum visit is a great opportunity to ask your provider about your labor and delivery and your health. Come prepared with a list of questions that have come up in the past six weeks. Jot them down or note them on your smartphone.

Here are some examples:

• Can you check me for diastasis recti?
• Can you provide a referral to a lactation consultant?
• Can you provide a referral for pelvic floor therapy?
• Why were forceps (or a vacuum, or any other procedure) used to delivery my baby? It may have been explained to you at the time, but it's understandable if you don't remember! (Now's the time to get any lingering questions about your labor and delivery answered.)
• Will the fact that I had a preterm birth (or emergency c-section, or any other complication) mean that my next birth will be the same?
• How might the condition I had during pregnancy (gestational diabetes or preeclampsia , for example) affect my health now and in the future?
• What do you suggest for constipation ? (Or headaches, or any other discomfort you're having.)
• What supplements should I be taking now?

Most practitioners will be fine with bringing your infant to your follow-up appointment, but ask ahead of time to make sure.

If possible, consider asking someone to take care of your baby during your visit so you can be totally focused on yourself during your time with your provider. If you want to bring your baby along, have someone come with you to hold your baby and comfort them, if needed, during the visit. But don't neglect this follow up. Taking care of yourself now is just as important as taking care of your newborn.

Some postpartum complications are dangerous and warrant immediate action. Don't wait for your six-week postpartum checkup if you have any concerns about something not being quite right. Call your provider and ask. Also get in touch with your provider right away if you have any of these postpartum warning signs or symptoms:

• Excessive bleeding (blood flow that isn't slowing or that increases after three days, passing large clots, passing bright red blood after three days, or soaking more than one sanitary pad in an hour)
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Foul-smelling discharge
• A painful, hard, warm, red area or red streaks on your breast, which are signs of mastitis
• Painful urination or difficulty urinating or feeling of having to urinate often
• Swelling or tenderness in your legs and feet
• Pain, red streaks, or discharge from a tear or incision
• Severe, persistent headaches
• Changes in vision
• Pain in the upper right abdomen or shoulder
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Signs of postpartum depression, such as extreme sadness or despair, frequent crying, or extreme anxiety or panic

Call for emergency help if you have excessive bleeding and signs of shock (dizziness, chills , heart palpitations, blurry vision, pale or clammy skin, confusion), or if you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

How long does postpartum recovery last?

Diet for healthy post-baby weight loss

How to use a sitz bath for postpartum relief

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

ACOG. 2021. Optimizing Postpartum care. ACOG committee opinion. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Number 736. https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Optimizing-Postpartum-Care Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

CDC. 2022. Adult immunization schedule. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

March of Dimes. 2018. Your postpartum checkups. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/your-postpartum-checkups.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

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WHO Recommendations on Postnatal Care of the Mother and Newborn. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013 Oct.

WHO Recommendations on Postnatal Care of the Mother and Newborn.

Executive summary.

The days and weeks following childbirth – the postnatal period – is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur during this time. Yet, this is the most neglected period for the provision of quality care. WHO's Postpartum care of the mother and newborn: a practical guide (WHO/RHT/MSM/98.3) was published in 1998. Guidance from this document was included in the WHO guideline Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care: a guide for essential practice , published in 2004 ( http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2006/924159084X_eng.pdf ). In keeping with the WHO Handbook on development of guidelines , these documents needed to be updated to include current best evidence-based practices.

To initiate the guidelines update process, WHO convened a technical consultation in October 2008. At this consultation, existing WHO and other agency guidelines related to postnatal care were reviewed for best practices and supporting evidence. Areas were identified where guidance was non-existent or conflicting, and these were prioritized for further work. The process of evidence review synthesis and establishment of a Steering Group and Guidelines Development Group (GDG) was taken up during 2011–2. Systematic reviews were commissioned to address the timing and content of postnatal care and contacts for the mother and newborn following normal childbirth. The GDG consultation to formulate recommendations was held in Geneva from 3–5 September 2012.

The primary audience for these guidelines is health professionals who are responsible for providing postnatal care to women and newborns, primarily in areas where resources are limited. These health professionals include physicians, midwives, nurses and auxiliary nurse-midwives providing primary health care in facilities and at home. The guidelines are also expected to be used by policy-makers and managers of maternal and child health programmes, health facilities, and teaching institutions to set up and maintain maternity and newborn care services. The information in these guidelines will be included in job aids and tools for both pre- and in-service training of health professionals to improve their knowledge, skills and performance in postnatal care.

The guidelines focus on postnatal care of mothers and newborns in resource-limited settings in low- and middle-income countries. The critical maternal health outcome considered was maternal morbidity (including haemorrhage, infections, anaemia and depression). The two critical neonatal outcomes were neonatal mortality and morbidity. Other important outcomes included growth, cognitive development and breastfeeding status.

The guidelines address timing, number and place of postnatal contacts, and content of postnatal care for all mothers and babies during the six weeks after birth. The guidelines include assessment of mothers and newborns to detect problems or complications, but the management of these conditions is addressed in other WHO documents (e.g. management of a mother with postpartum haemorrhage – PPH – or infection, care of a preterm or low-birth-weight newborn or a newborn with infection).

Through 2011–12, the Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health coordinated efforts to review and synthesize the evidence on the priority questions. The process included targeted systematic reviews of relevant literature, preparation of GRADE 1 profiles, and analysis of the benefits and risks, values and preferences, and costs of implementation. The systematic reviews, meta-analyses and GRADE profiles were conducted by different expert groups using the methodology recommended by the Guidelines Review Committee.

In drafting the recommendations, the WHO Steering Group used the summaries of evidence for the critical outcomes, quality of evidence, risks and benefits of implementing the recommendations, values and preferences and costs. The draft recommendations, evidence summaries, GRADE tables and information on benefits and risks, values and preferences, and costs were presented to the GDG at its meeting held at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2012. The GDG reviewed and discussed this information to finalize the recommendations. Individual members of the GDG filled in a worksheet to comment on the quality of evidence and the draft and strength of the recommendation before discussing these as a group. Where the GDG determined that there was insufficient evidence, consensus within the group was used as the basis of the recommendation. The decisions on the final recommendations and their strengths were made by consensus or, where necessary, by vote.

The recommendations for postnatal care of mothers and newborns are summarized in the table below. These recommendations will be regularly updated as more evidence is collated and analysed on a continuous basis, with major reviews and updates at least every five years. The next major update will be considered in 2018 under the oversight of the WHO Guidelines Review Committee.

2013 WHO Recommendations on postnatal care

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For the newborn this includes an immediate assessment at birth, a full clinical examination around one hour after birth and before discharge.

GRADE refers to the system for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations.

All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization are available on the WHO website ( www.who.int ) or can be purchased from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e-mail: tni.ohw@sredrokoob ).

Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for non-commercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press through the WHO website ( www.who.int/about/licensing/copyright_form/en/index.html ).

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Your baby after the birth

Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight after the birth can help keep her or him warm and can help with getting breastfeeding started.

First feed, weight gain and nappies

Some babies feed immediately after birth and others take a little longer.

The midwives will help you whether you choose to:

• feed with formula
• combine breast and bottle feeds

It's normal for babies to lose some weight in the first few days after birth. Putting on weight steadily after this is a sign your baby is healthy and feeding well.

Read more about your baby's weight , and your baby's nappies, including healthy poo .

Tests and checks for your baby

A children's doctor (paediatrician), midwife or newborn (neonatal) nurse will check your baby is well and will offer him or her a newborn physical examination within 72 hours of birth.

In the early days, the midwife will check your baby for signs of:

• infection of the umbilical cord or eyes
• thrush in the mouth

On day 5 to 8 after the birth, you'll be offered the blood spot (heel prick) test for your baby.

Before you baby is 5 weeks old you should be offered a newborn hearing screening test .

If your baby is in special care , these tests may be done there. If your baby is at home, the tests may be done at your home by the community midwife team.

Learn how to tell when a baby is seriously ill .

Safe sleeping for your baby

Make sure you know how to put your baby to sleep safely to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) .

2 weeks and beyond

You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully instead.

Most babies will regain their birthweight in the first 2 weeks. Around this time their care will move from a midwife to a health visitor.

The health visitor will check your baby's growth and development at regular appointments and record this in your baby's personal child health record (PCHR) , also known as their "red book".

You after the birth

The maternity staff caring for you will check you're recovering well after the birth.

They will take your temperature, pulse and blood pressure.

They'll also feel your tummy (abdomen) to make sure your womb is shrinking back to its normal size.

Some women feel tummy pain when their womb shrinks, especially when they're breastfeeding. This is normal.

Seeing a midwife or health visitor

Midwives will agree a plan with you for visits at home or at a children's centre until your baby is around 10 days old. This is to check that you and your baby are well and support you in these first few days.

Bleeding after the birth (postnatal bleeding)

You'll have bleeding (lochia) from your vagina for a few weeks after you give birth.

The bleeding usually stops by the time your baby is 12 weeks old.

Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you've got postnatal bleeding and any of these:

• a high temperature over 38C
• the bleeding smells unusual for you
• tummy pain that gets worse
• the bleeding gets heavier or doesn't get any less
• lumps (clots) in the blood
• pain between the vagina and anus (perineum) that gets worse

It could be a sign of infection.

Make sure you know the signs of a serious heavy bleed after giving birth (postpartum haemorrhage, or PPH). This is rare and needs emergency care.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if you've got postnatal bleeding and:

• the bleeding suddenly gets heavier
• you feel faint, dizzy or have a pounding heart

This could mean you're having a very heavy bleed (postpartum haemorrhage) and need emergency treatment.

Read more about your body after the birth , including when you might need urgent medical attention.

Feeding your baby

When you're breastfeeding in the early days , breastfeed your baby as often as they want. This may be every 2 hours.

Let your baby decide when they've had enough (this is called baby-led feeding).

You can express your breast milk if you're having problems with breastfeeding . Problems can include breast engorgement or mastitis .

Get breastfeeding and bottle feeding advice .

Your baby's crying

Crying is your baby's way of telling you they need comfort and care. It can be hard to know what they need, especially in the early days.

There are ways you can soothe your crying baby .

How you feel

Find out how to cope if you feel stressed after having a baby . There are support services for new parents that may help.

You may feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is normal.

If these feelings start later or last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth, it could be a sign of postnatal depression .

Postnatal depression and anxiety are common, and there is treatment. Speak to your midwife, GP or health visitor as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed or anxious.

Sex and contraception

You can have sex as soon as you feel ready after having a baby.

There are no rules about when to have sex after giving birth. Every woman's physical and emotional changes are different.

You can get pregnant from 3 weeks (21 days) after giving birth. This can happen before you have a period, even if you're breastfeeding.

You need to start using contraception from 21 days after the birth every time you have sex if you don't want to get pregnant again.

Talk to your doctor, midwife or contraception (family planning) nurse about contraception after having a baby . They can arrange contraception before you have sex for the first time.

Being active may feel like a challenge when you're tired, but gentle exercise after childbirth can help your body recover and may help you feel more energetic.

You should also do pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles around your bladder, vagina and anus.

Page last reviewed: 8 July 2022 Next review due: 8 July 2025

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Your Postpartum Doctor Appointment

Should You Wait Six Weeks? When to See the Doctor and Why

Verywell / Bailey Mariner

The Postpartum Period

When to see the doctor, why you need to go, what to expect.

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Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy and childbirth . So, after your baby is born, your body needs time to heal. As you recover, it’s important to make an appointment to see your OB-GYN for postpartum care. Here’s what you need to know about the postpartum visit, including when to see your doctor and what you can expect. 

The time of your life after you have a baby is called the postpartum or postnatal period . It is broken down into three phases.   

• Phase one is the initial recovery during the first six to twelve hours after giving birth.
• The second stage lasts two to six weeks while your body is physically healing, and you are adjusting to life with your newborn.
• The third part is the gradual return of your body to the way it was before your pregnancy. Of course, some things may not entirely go back to the way they were. This time of healing can take up to six months.

Watch Now: The Three Stages of Postpartum Depression

In the past, a postpartum check-up was a one-time visit scheduled between four and six weeks after delivery. However, thoughts on postnatal care have changed in recent years. Health experts now consider postpartum care an ongoing process based on each individual’s needs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines published in 2013 recommend at least four postnatal interactions after delivery: in the first 24 hours, on the third day, between 7-14 days, and at six weeks.  

In 2018, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated its guidelines to reflect an ongoing process.  

After the initial care at birth, the first postpartum contact or visit should be within three weeks. You should stay in contact with your healthcare provider during the first three months, and a complete and thorough postpartum exam should occur no later than twelve weeks.  

After you have a baby, you experience physical and emotional changes .   A visit with your doctor during this time can help prevent complications. If something isn't right, the doctor can catch it and treat it early before it becomes a problem.

This appointment is also time set aside to talk to your doctor about sensitive issues and get answers to questions you may have about bleeding, your sex drive, birth control , the baby blues, postpartum depression , and more.

All pregnant women should receive postpartum care even if the pregnancy ends with a devastating loss . Physical and emotional care and support are even more critical during a very difficult time.

You should see your doctor or talk to your doctor on the phone within three weeks of giving birth. If you have a c-section , complications, or other health issues such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure , you may see your doctor sooner and keep in touch with the doctor more often as you heal.

At your first contact, you will spend some time talking to your doctor. The doctor may also check your blood pressure or follow up with any other concerns. As your care continues, the health care team can keep in touch with you in a variety of ways. You may go to the office, see a health care provider at home, or talk to the doctor on the phone or by text message.

As postpartum care nears its end, you should have a thorough health and wellness examination before you transition to well-care. Your comprehensive exam can take place as early as four weeks after birth, but no later than 12 weeks, depending on your situation. This visit is a complete check-up of your physical, social, and psychological health.

During this appointment, you will have a full physical exam. The doctor may:

• Check your weight
• Take your blood pressure
• Check your perineum to see how you’re healing
• Check an episiotomy , tear, or c-section wound if you have one
• Check to see if your uterus is shrinking as expected
• Check your breasts and talk about breastfeeding
• Discuss any health issues you have
• Talk to you about the postpartum blues and depression
• Answer questions about your labor and delivery if you have them

You may also have your general gynecological screening if you are due for it. It may include a Pap smear, bloodwork to check for anemia or high blood sugar, and a urine test if you have urinary problems or symptoms of a urinary tract infection.

The doctor will also talk to you about:

• How your body is recovering from childbirth 
• Your emotions and how you feel about motherhood
• Any anxiety or depression that you may be feeling
• Your social support system
• How you are sleeping
• Nutrition and your eating habits 
• How caring for your baby is going
• How bottle-feeding or breastfeeding is going
• If you are considering having more children
• Any concerns about sex
• Birth control
• Managing any health concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions
• Following up with other health practitioners for any issues you may have
• Continuing to tend to your health through routine care

Bring Your Questions 

You are bound to have questions, especially if you just had your first baby. But, since pregnancy and birth can be very different with each child, experienced moms can have questions, too.

As questions come up, write them down so you can bring them to your appointment. If you don't write them down, you may not remember everything you want to ask once you're sitting in the office. And remember, there are no silly questions. You shouldn't feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about asking your doctor anything. That's one of the reasons they're there, and they want to help. Some of the things you may want to ask about are:

• Your delivery
• The healing process
• Preventing problems now and in the future
• Breast issues such as pain or lumps
• Caring for your newborn
• Returning to work

Those pesky pregnancy symptoms may finally be gone, but the postpartum period has its own set of discomforts. Most of the time, postpartum symptoms are common and expected. However, sometimes they can be a sign of a complication. So, you should discuss all your symptoms with your doctor. The doctor can reassure you of what's normal and help you find relief, but also look into any concerning symptoms. You should talk to your doctor about:  

• The amount and color of any bleeding you are experiencing
• Hemorrhoids
• Constipation
• Leaking urine
• How you're feeling
• If you are sad or under a lot of stress

You do not have to wait for your scheduled postpartum appointment to talk to or see the doctor if you have urgent concerns . You should call the doctor or go to the hospital if you have:

• A fever over 100.4 F
• Bleeding that is getting heavier
• Severe pain
• Swelling in your body, especially your hands or face
• Nausea and vomiting
• A headache that is not going away or getting worse
• Foul-smelling vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Difficulty caring for yourself and your baby
• Feelings of depression
• Painful, burning urination or urinary frequency  

Skipping It 

Not all women get postpartum care. Up to 40% of women do not follow up with a doctor after giving birth.   There are many reasons for this, such as:

• Not knowing about it
• Not knowing who to call
• Being too busy
• Having too many other things to do
• Thinking it isn't necessary
• Feeling good
• Not having anyone to watch the baby
• Having been through it before many times
• Concerns about the cost
• The insurance will not cover it  

While there are things that make can make it difficult or inconvenient to get there, you should make every effort to see the doctor. If you have to bring your baby with you, you can. If you’re concerned about the cost or your insurance, talk to the hospital staff or your health care provider for helpful resources.

Skipping out on postpartum care can have some unintended consequences.   

• You may not realize you have an infection or a postpartum complication.
• You may not heal well. 
• You could get pregnant again quickly.
• You could have undiagnosed postpartum depression.

A Word From Verywell

During pregnancy, prenatal visits are plentiful. But, the attention to an expecting mom's health and wellness seems to fade once the baby is born. Care during the postpartum period can be overlooked at a time when many women need it most.  

The body changes so much during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. It is incredible what the body goes through in less than one year. And, it's true that some women feel wonderful after childbirth. But, for others, the physical and emotional challenges of the fourth trimester can be a struggle. 

The continuation of care after pregnancy is so important. Just as you need ongoing care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, you need it while you're healing in the days, weeks, and months after your baby is born. Postpartum care should be part of your overall pregnancy care. You and doctor should work together to make sure your health is monitored and managed throughout the entire process. So, talk about it with your doctor while you're pregnant, be sure to make your appointments, and don't skip out on them even if you're feeling good. 

Romano M, Cacciatore A, Giordano R, La Rosa B. Postpartum period: three distinct but continuous phases . Journal of prenatal medicine. 2010 Apr;4(2):22.

World Health Organization. WHO recommendations on postnatal care of the mother and newborn. World Health Organization; 2014.

Care OP. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736 Optimizing Postpartum Care . American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018;131(5):e140-50.

Fahey JO, Shenassa E. Understanding and meeting the needs of women in the postpartum period: the perinatal maternal health promotion model . Journal of midwifery & women's health. 2013 Nov;58(6):613-21. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12139

Al-Safi Z, Imudia AN, Filetti LC, Hobson DT, Bahado-Singh RO, Awonuga AO. Delayed postpartum preeclampsia and eclampsia: demographics, clinical course, and complications . Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011 Nov 1;118(5):1102-7. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318231934c

Jordan RG, Farley CL, Grace KT. Prenatal and postnatal care: a woman-centered approach. John Wiley & Sons; 2018 Apr 23.

DiBari JN, Yu SM, Chao SM, Lu MC. Use of postpartum care: predictors and barriers . Journal of pregnancy. 2014;2014. doi:10.1155/2014/530769

Nazik E, Eryilmaz G. The prevention and reduction of postpartum complications: Orem’s Model . Nursing science quarterly. 2013 Oct;26(4):360-4.

Martin A, Horowitz C, Balbierz A, Howell EA. Views of women and clinicians on postpartum preparation and recovery . Maternal and child health journal. 2014 Apr 1;18(3):707-13. doi:10.1007/s10995-013-1297-7

By Donna Murray, RN, BSN Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing.

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This guideline covers the routine postnatal care that women and their babies should receive in the first 8 weeks after the birth. It includes the organisation and delivery of postnatal care, identifying and managing common and serious health problems in women and their babies, how to help parents form strong relationships with their babies, and baby feeding. The recommendations on emotional attachment and baby feeding also cover the antenatal period.

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The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian.

All problems (adverse events) related to a medicine or medical device used for treatment or in a procedure should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using the Yellow Card Scheme .

Local commissioners and providers of healthcare have a responsibility to enable the guideline to be applied when individual professionals and people using services wish to use it. They should do so in the context of local and national priorities for funding and developing services, and in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Nothing in this guideline should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with complying with those duties.

Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.

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ED indicates emergency department.

eFigure. Density Plots for the Propensity Scores for Receipt of Midwifery-Model Care and Obstetrics-Model Care, Before and After Overlap Weighting

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Sorbara C , Ray JG , Darling EK , Chung H , Podolsky S , Stukel TA. Postpartum Emergency Department Use Following Midwifery-Model vs Obstetrics-Model Care. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e248676. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8676

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Postpartum Emergency Department Use Following Midwifery-Model vs Obstetrics-Model Care

• 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 2 ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• 5 Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Question   Is care by a midwife compared with an obstetrician associated with different rates of emergency department (ED) use in the postpartum period?

Findings   In this cohort study of 104 995 patients who were low risk, women receiving innovative midwifery-model care experienced a 22% lower risk of ED use post partum than patients receiving traditional obstetrics-model care.

Meaning   These findings suggest that midwifery-model care, which offers early postpartum visits, may reduce maternal ED use after birth; this approach may fill an important gap in postpartum care.

Importance   Emergency department (ED) use postpartum is a common and often-preventable event. Unlike traditional obstetrics models, the Ontario midwifery model offers early care postpartum.

Objective   To assess whether postpartum ED use differs between women who received perinatal care in midwifery-model care vs in traditional obstetrics-model care.

Design, Setting, and Participants   This retrospective population-based cohort study took place in Ontario, Canada, where public health care is universally funded. Participants included women who were low risk and primiparous and gave birth to a live baby in an Ontario hospital between 2012 and 2018. Data were collected from April 2012 to March 2018 and analyzed from June 2022 to April 2023.

Exposures   Perinatal care clinician, namely, a midwife or obstetrician.

Main Outcome and Measures   : Any unscheduled ED visit 42 days postpartum or less. Poisson regression models compared ED use between women with midwifery-model care vs obstetrics-model care, weighting by propensity score-based overlap weights.

Results   Among 104 995 primiparous women aged 11 to 50 years, those in midwifery-model care received a median (IQR) of 7 (6-8) postpartum visits, compared with 0 (0-1) visits among those receiving obstetrics-model care. Unscheduled ED visits 42 days or less postpartum occurred for 1549 of 23 124 women (6.7%) with midwifery-model care compared with 6902 of 81 871 women (8.4%) with traditional obstetrics-model care (adjusted relative risks [aRR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73-0.83). Similar aRRs were seen in women with a spontaneous vaginal birth (aRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.78) or assisted vaginal birth (aRR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59-0.82) but not those with a cesarean birth (aRR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.86-1.03) or those with intrapartum transfer of care between a midwife and obstetrician (aRR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.87-1.04). ED use 7 days or less postpartum was also lower among women receiving midwifery model care (aRR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.77).

Conclusions and Relevance   In this cohort study, midwifery-model care was associated with less postpartum ED use than traditional obstetrics-model care among women who had low risk and were primiparous, which may be due to early access to postpartum care provided by Ontario midwives.

In 2018, the Ontario Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health highlighted several challenges with existing postpartum services in Ontario, Canada, including a lack of coordination and provision of care. 1 Research about service use showed that approximately 5% of women who give birth have at least 1 emergency department (ED) visit in the first 10 days postpartum, possibly reflective of an unmet need for community-based postpartum services. 2 - 4 A 2018 US study showed that approximately 75% of postpartum women who presented to the ED were of low acuity, with less than 25% being admitted to hospital. 5 A Canadian study found that almost 40% of all women in the peripregnancy period have at least 1 ED visit, peaking in the first 5 days postpartum, when they are unlikely to have ready access to a maternity care clinician. 6

In 1993, the Ontario Ministry of Health created the Ontario Midwifery Program, a provincially funded primary care maternal-newborn program that prioritizes 24-hour on-call service, postpartum home visits, and continuity of care. 10 Midwives work alongside obstetrics and family medicine teams, collaborating with specialists when care becomes more complex. 7 Midwives and obstetricians in Ontario work in clinician-specific care models. 8 , 9 Midwives work in group practices, with continuity and on-call service throughout the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. In the first week after birth, patients receiving midwifery care receive several routine clinical visits at home or in the midwife’s office, typically from the same midwife whom they met in the antenatal period. This is followed by several visits in the 6-week postpartum period comprising well-woman and well-baby checks, breastfeeding support, wound care, and monitoring or testing for ongoing maternal or newborn concerns. 11 , 8 For urgent concerns, women receiving midwifery-model care have access to their midwives 24 hours a day via pager. 12 In contrast, women receiving obstetrics-model care are typically discharged from hospital within 24 to 48 hours after birth, with limited formal coordination in transitioning between hospital and community care. 1 Most obstetricians provide clinic-based antenatal care, with limited intrapartum continuity, no 24-hour on-call access for patients postpartum, and only a single routine follow-up visit at 6 weeks following birth 11 ; postpartum care for a complication generally takes place through an emergency department (ED) or a family medicine office. 13

The current study compared postpartum ED use between women who gave birth to a live baby in an Ontario hospital between 2012 to 2018 and received care in a midwifery-model or an obstetrics-model. It was hypothesized that perinatal midwifery-model care would be associated with a lower risk of postpartum ED use during the first 42 days postpartum.

This retrospective cohort study took place in Ontario, Canada. All women in the study were eligible for clinic and hospital pregnancy care funded by the universal Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). All in-patient, ED, and ambulatory visits were captured in health administrative databases.

The data used in this study is authorized under section 45 of Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act and does not require review by a research ethics board. This report follows Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology ( STROBE ) reporting guideline reporting guidelines for observational studies.

We included all pregnant women who were primiparous, low risk, aged 11 to 50 years, and gave birth in an Ontario hospital between April 1, 2012, and February 1, 2018. We use the term woman, while acknowledging that not all those who give birth identify as female. A woman was deemed to be low risk if she had a singleton livebirth within hospital at 34 weeks gestation or more. Including only primiparous women eliminated the influence of a prior birth event (eg, preterm birth, cesarean delivery, or preeclampsia) on the choice of care clinician in the current pregnancy. We excluded women without a valid OHIP number, missing recorded body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) or gestational age at birth, those who received family physician model care (ie, women who received all antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care from a family physician), and those with an unknown perinatal care clinician type. BMI was required since it is a risk factor for postpartum complications and was missing at random. Gestational age was necessary since birth at more than 34 weeks helped define the low-risk cohort. We excluded patients who used a family physician for their obstetric care because Ontario family physicians work in a variety of care models with varying degrees of continuity and on-call service, 9 creating important heterogeneity relevant to our outcome that we could not measure. Additionally, unlike midwives and obstetricians, many family physicians provided primary care prior to pregnancy and after the postpartum period. We also excluded women with more than 2 ED visits within the 2-year period preceding the pregnancy because these patients tend to use the ED for routine primary care visits. We also excluded those discharged from midwifery-model care during the antenatal period, women whose hospital length of stay was more than 7 days following the birth (a likely reflection of a serious birth complication), and those who died during the birth hospitalization or up to 42 days thereafter.

A woman was considered to be exposed to midwifery-model care based on Better Outcomes and Registry Network (BORN) data elements designed specifically to capture patients receiving midwifery care who were billed in the capitation model as a midwifery patient. 14 A woman was in the obstetrics-model group if she had an obstetrician as her admitting clinician and was not categorized as exposed to midwifery-model care.

Existing deidentified patient records were linked using unique encoded identifiers and analyzed at ICES. ICES is an independent, nonprofit research institute whose legal status under Ontario’s health information privacy law allows it to collect and analyze health care and demographic data, without consent, for health system evaluation and improvement. Multiple linked Ontario health administrative databases were used containing information regarding all publicly insured hospital and care clinician services as follows: (1) the Discharge Abstract Database for hospital admissions, procedures, and transfers, including the most responsible diagnosis for length of stay, secondary diagnostic codes, comorbidities present upon admission, complications occurring during the hospital stay, and attending physician identifier; (2) the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System for ED visits; (3) the OHIP database for physician billings; (4) Refugees and Citizenship Canada Permanent Resident Database for immigrant status; (5) the Registered Persons Database (RPDB) for patient demographic information and deaths, and (6) Ontario Marginalization Index for neighborhood material resources. 28 Midwifery and obstetric patient characteristics, including risk factors (eg, smoking and alcohol exposure during pregnancy), comorbidities, care indicators (eg, prenatal class attendance), complications, and delivery characteristics (eg, procedures received), were captured in the BORN information system (BIS). BIS is a prescribed maternal, newborn, and child registry under Ontario’s Personal Health Act, which collects, interprets, shares and protects high-quality data, and captures 100% of the births that take place in the province. 14 , 15

The primary outcome was any unscheduled ED visit within 42 days postpartum, starting from the date of discharge from hospital for the birth. This 42-day period captures complications associated with the birth, as well as persistent clinical issues that may arise in the standard 6-week postpartum period. 5 Secondary outcomes included any ED visit within 7 days following the index hospital discharge date, admission to hospital within 42 days after hospital discharge, and any low-acuity ED visit within 42 days.

Analyses were further stratified by (1) mode of birth (spontaneous vaginal, assisted vaginal or cesarean section) and (2) by intrapartum transfer of care from a midwife to an obstetrician. While patients who have a transfer of care experience more complications during their labor and birth, the midwife remains with the patient for the delivery in almost every circumstance and also provides care following hospital discharge. 12

We reported descriptive statistics for baseline variables and care indicators and used standardized differences to assess balance across exposure groups, with a difference of less than 0.1 suggesting adequate balance. Propensity score (PS)–based overlap weights were used to create cohorts that were balanced across baseline characteristics. The PS model was created using multivariable logistic regression, to estimate the likelihood of receipt of midwifery vs obstetrics-model care. The logistic regression model included covariates selected a priori to be associated with choice of care clinician type, including age (less than 19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, and 40 years or older), BMI (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese), immigration status (Canadian-born or not), primary language (English, other, unknown), material resources quintile (1 [least resources] to 5 [most resources], unknown), rurality (urban, rural, remote, unknown), smoking in pregnancy (none, any smoking, unknown), cohabitation with a person who smoked (no, yes, unknown), substance or alcohol abuse in pregnancy (none, any, unknown), and intimate partner violence (none, any, unknown). Also included were preexisting maternal health factors: physical (none, any [eg, essential hypertension or preexisting diabetes], unknown), mental (none, any, unknown), fertility assistance (none, any, unknown), and number of ED visits within 2 years before conception (0 or 1). While the BORN database is a rich data source, it relies on both the clinician capturing a patient’s details, and the patient disclosing that information. For baseline covariates and care indicators with missing or unknown values, we added a missing or unknown category. 14

Each woman was then weighted according to an overlap weight (OW), defined as the probability of being assigned to the opposite exposure group based on the PS. 16 , 17 OWs give larger weight to individuals who have a higher probability of receiving either exposure, being those with the greatest overlap in observed covariates and the most in equipoise. OWs downweight individuals in the extremes of the distribution, achieve perfect balance for all covariates included in the PS, and produce the smallest standard errors among all balancing weight approaches. Poisson regression models, weighted by OWs, estimated the adjusted relative risk (aRR) and 95% CI for any unscheduled ED visit among women with midwifery-model care vs obstetrics-model care, and included a robust variance estimator to account for the weighting. Adjusted absolute risk differences (ARD) were calculated using a modified logistic regression model based on marginal probabilities, and 95% CI estimated by bootstrapping with resampling between 200 and 1000 times. 18

Statistical significance was set at P  < .05 and tests were 2-sided. Statistical analysis was performed from June 2022 (cohort creation) to April 2023 (most recent outputs). All analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute)

Of 684 011 valid birth records, 579 016 patients were excluded, including 391 631 (57%) who were not primiparous, 42 475 (6%) with a missing or implausible BMI, 11 856 (2%) who did not fit the low-risk criteria, 70 388 (10%) who received family physician-model care and 45 322 (7%) with 2 or more ED visits in the previous 2 years. Of the 104 995 women included in the study, 81 871 (78%) were in the obstetric-model group and 23 124 (22%) in the midwifery-model group ( Figure ). Women in obstetrics-model care were more likely to be older than women in the midwifery-model group (40 years or older, 2945 [3.6%] vs 376 [1.6%]), to live with obesity (12 624 [15.4%] vs 3134 [13.6%]), to live in an urban area (69 108 [84.4%] vs 17 594 [76.1%]), and to have immigrated to Canada (57 664 [70.4%] vs 20 566 [88.9%] Canadian-born) ( Table 1 ). Women in obstetrics-model care were also more likely to use assisted reproduction than women in the midwifery-model group (5501 [6.7%] vs 1066 [4.6%]) and have 1 ED visit in the prior 2 years (24 849 [30.4%] vs 6 398 [27.7%]). Women in the obstetrics-model group were less likely to have English as their primary language than women in the midwifery-model group (63 052 [77.0%] vs 21 071 [91.1%]), to report alcohol use (1819 [2.2%] vs 565 [2.4%]) or substance use (1151 [1.4%] vs 223 [1.0%]), but were more likely to report smoking (5398 [6.6%] vs 856 [3.7%]) and cohabitation with an individual who smoked (10 958 [13.4%] vs 2128 [9.2%]).

After weighting, baseline characteristics ( Table 1 ) and most care indicators ( Table 2 ) were balanced between the midwifery-model and the obstetrics-model groups (eFigure in Supplement 1 ). However, among the midwifery-model group compared with the obstetrics-model group, there was higher prenatal class attendance (14 803 [64.0%] vs 33 889 [41.4%]), higher folic acid use (21 880 [94.6%] vs 62 931 [76.9%]), and lower episiotomy rates (2 879 [12.5%] vs 15 718 [19.2%]). Type of birth also remained unbalanced, with patients in the midwifery-model group compared with patients in the obstetrics-model group experiencing higher rates of spontaneous vaginal deliveries (14 138 [61.1%] vs 44 041 [53.8%]), and lower rates of assisted vaginal deliveries (2 849 [12.3%] vs 13 902 [17%]). All women were followed up for 42 days after hospital discharge.

Women in midwifery-model care received a median (IQR) of 7 (6-8) postpartum visits with a midwife, compared with 0 (0-1) postpartum obstetrician visits among women receiving obstetrician-model care. Those with midwifery-model care had fewer postpartum visits by a family physician than those with obstetrician-model care (median [IQR], 0 [0-1] visits vs 1 [0-2] visits) ( Table 2 ).

An unscheduled ED visit within 42 days postpartum was less likely in the midwifery-model group (1542 of 23 124 patients [6.7%]; aRR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.83) than in the obstetrics-model group (6899 of 81 871 patients [8.4%]; ARD, 1.9%; 95% C1, −2.3% to −1.5%) ( Table 3 ). Comparing the patients in the midwifery-model group with the patients in the obstetrics-model group, the same pattern was seen for an ED visit 7 days or less (3.2% vs 4.5%; aRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.77) and a low acuity ED visit within 42 days postpartum (1.8% vs 2.3%; aRR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.82), but not in risk of readmission to hospital (1.1% vs 1.1%; aRR 0.99, 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.16) ( Table 3 ).

The risk of postpartum ED use differed by mode of delivery, being highest after cesarean birth ( Table 4 ). Among women with a spontaneous vaginal delivery, those in midwifery-model care had a lower risk of an ED visit within 42 days (aRR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.78), as did those undergoing assisted vaginal birth (aRR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.82); no significant association was seen for cesarean birth ( Table 4 ).

Among the 23 124 women in the midwifery-model group, 9533 (41%) had a transfer of care intrapartum to an obstetrician ( Table 4 ). A lower relative risk of ED use was seen comparing midwifery-model vs obstetrics-model among women who did not require transfer of care, but not among those who did ( Table 4 ).

In this study, approximately 1 in 15 women receiving midwifery-model care and 1 in 12 women receiving obstetrician-model care visited the ED postpartum among women who were low-risk, primiparous, and gave birth in an Ontario hospital. A lower risk of ED use postpartum was most pronounced among women who had midwifery-model care, especially among those with a spontaneous or assisted vaginal birth and those who maintained midwifery care intrapartum. For cesarean births, or following intrapartum transfer of care, these significant differences no longer persisted.

The current findings were supported by the findings of other studies, 1 , 13 , 19 , 20 which suggested various benefits from postpartum midwife visits, including higher rates of breastfeeding, patient satisfaction, and uptake of medical and educational interventions. While there may be multiple reasons for less postpartum ED use among patients receiving midwifery care, explanations include the intensive postpartum visit schedule and 24-hour on-call access afforded by a midwife, as demonstrated herein by a higher median number of postpartum visits in the midwifery-model vs obstetrics-model groups. Some factors of postpartum ED use may be associated with birth location (eg, rural vs urban residence), mode of birth, and immigration status. 6

While care indicators were largely similar between the 2 groups after overlap weighting, some differences persisted, including gestational age at birth, receipt of an episiotomy and mode of birth, each of which may reflect midwifery practices. These differences reflected the fact that midwives tend to tolerate induction of labor at a later gestational age, do not offer routine episiotomy, and promote lower rates of medical intervention. Higher rates of prenatal class attendance and folic acid use among patients receiving midwifery care may also reflect a more engaged patient population. 21

This study has limitations, including the observational study design. While we tried to reduce confounding by indication by using a propensity-based weighting approach, causality cannot be inferred. The reason for an ED visit was not evaluated; however, another Ontario study highlighted abdominal pain (22%), wound-related issues (13%), and urinary issues (10%) as the main reasons for ED use soon after birth, 22 similar to findings from Alberta, Canada. 23 Variation in episiotomy use and mode of birth that persisted after matching may drive some of the observed differences in postpartum ED visits. However, this may also reflect an unmet need after the birth hospital discharge for the provision of routine wound care, something that midwives provide during their postpartum visits. In addition, differences in ED visits also persisted for low acuity ED visits, which are not expected to include serious medical conditions directly associated with mode of delivery or episiotomy care. As our study data were available only up to 2018, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on practice tendencies was not ascertainable. To create homogeneous and comparable exposure groups, only primiparous women were included. This study also excluded women who received family physician-model care, whose practice patterns vary considerably, and which may differ from that provided by midwives or obstetricians. 24 Between 10% to 20% of Ontarian women in midwifery-model care give birth outside a hospital setting, and represent a particularly low-risk population. 25 , 26 These women were excluded since obstetricians do not perform out-of-hospital deliveries. Finally, we required a woman to have a recorded BMI, since a high BMI is an important factor of adverse obstetric outcomes. 27 Together, such exclusions may limit the generalizability of the current study findings to other groups of women and their clinical practitioners. Certainly, more research is needed to evaluate whether the current findings are similar to family-physician model care, or among parous women.

In this cohort study of 104 995 women who were low risk and primiparous, midwifery-model care was associated with less postpartum ED use than a conventional obstetrics-model care model. One goal of Ontario’s Midwifery Program is to provide high-quality postpartum care. 1 While all women in Ontario have access to fully funded antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, the emphasis on early postpartum care under the provincially funded and regulated midwifery model may be associated with a reduction in ED use postpartum. Consideration of improving access to postpartum care for patients receiving obstetrics-model care could address an unmet need for some patients. This study may also inform maternal-newborn health policy across Canada, particularly in terms of discussions associated with the benefits of expanding a midwifery or nurse-based interdisciplinary postpartum care model, to meet the needs of new mothers.

Accepted for Publication: February 27, 2024.

Published: April 29, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8676

Open Access: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY License . © 2024 Sorbara C et al. JAMA Network Open .

Corresponding Author: Carla Sorbara, RM, MPP, Msc, North York General Hospital, 4001 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M2K 1E1, Canada ( [email protected] ).

Author Contributions: Ms Sorbara had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Sorbara, Ray, Stukel, Darling, Chung.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors.

Drafting of the manuscript: Sorbara, Stukel.

Critical review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Statistical analysis: Ray, Chung, Podolsky.

Obtained funding: Stukel.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Ray, Stukel.

Supervision: Stukel, Darling.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.

Funding/Support: This study was supported by funding provided by Foundation Grant FDN 143303 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. It was also supported by ICES, which is funded through an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Disclaimer: The analyses, conclusions, opinions, and statements expressed in the material are those of the authors, and do not reflect those of the funding or data sources; no endorsement is intended or should be inferred. Parts or whole of this material are based on data and/or information compiled and provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) current to 2020; however, the analyses, conclusions, opinions and statements expressed in the material are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of IRCC. This study is also based in part on data provided by Better Outcomes Registry and Network (BORN), part of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The interpretation and conclusions contained herein do not necessarily represent those of BORN Ontario.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 2 .

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

Alya and Campbell

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Dube-Ncube visits impoverished communities in Swayimane

Dube-ncube, who was accompanied by agriculture mec super zuma, umshwati mayor mandla zondi and umgungundlovu district mayor mzi zuma during an imbizo..

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube on Thursday assured the residents of Swayimane outside Wartburg that the provincial government will address issues of crime, unemployment and crumbling infrastructure in the area.

Dube-Ncube, who was accompanied by Agriculture MEC Super Zuma, uMshwati Mayor Mandla Zondi and uMgungundlovu District Mayor Mzi Zuma during an imbizo (community meeting) at the local sports ground, said the provincial government was particularly concerned about the high crime rate in the area.

We are aware as the government that the minibus taxi violence has claimed several lives in this area, also the violence against women and children is on the rise. Working in collaboration with the police management, we have in amongst other things agreed that there should be a satellite police station.

“We will also make it a point that the community policing forum is active and well capacitated to respond to crime,” she said.

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During the imbizo local residents told Dube-Ncube that unemployment has become a major problem in the area.

Hlangabezile Gwamanda, a graduate who completed an IT national diploma in 2021, said she was losing hope of ever finding a job.

“Since I completed my studies, I have never been employed. What I’m pleading for is for the government to come up with a programme to employ graduates like me. What is currently happening is that those who are younger than us become less interested in education when they see qualified people like me unable to find jobs,” she said.

Thoko Khanyile complained about the lack of water in the area.

Unlike in other places where the people don’t have water on certain days, in my ward there is no water at all. We have complained to councillors and other government departments but nothing has been done.

uMgungundlovu District Mayor Mzi Zuma — whose municipality was responsible for water supply in the area, said the district was aware of the water challenges.

“One of the challenges is that there is no proper infrastructure in some of the areas. So, what we are currently doing as a district is to install water pipes. We also have drilled some boreholes so that our people have access to water while we install the infrastructure,” he said,

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Zondi said the uMshwati Municipality at times had difficulty when bringing services to residents, particularly farm dwellers.

“We have met situations where the farm owner refuses to cooperate with us when we want to connect people to the power grid,” he said.

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Around Town: Newport Beach Police Department to host mobile cafe

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The Newport Beach Police Department will host a mobile cafe later this month on May 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Java Bakery Cafe on Bayside Drive.

Community members are invited to the event to have conversations with local law enforcement to raise concerns and get to know their officers.

Laguna Art Museum hosts event for new moms

On May 16, new mothers are being invited to join others in the community at the Laguna Art Museum from 9 to 10 a.m. to enjoy the museum before doors open to the public.

Attendees will be able to learn from professionals about post-natal recovery and baby care and are encouraged to bring yoga mats for babies to lay on.

The program is designed for mothers that are actively pregnant to 6 months postpartum. Dads are also welcome. Tickets for museum members are $12 and $18 for nonmembers. Children under the age of 12 are free. For more information, visit lagunaartmuseum.org/events/new-moms-at-the-museum-5 .

Take a tour of Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts May 15

Members of the nonprofit South Coast Metro Alliance are offering visitors a chance to see the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in a whole new light during a docent-led walking tour that takes place May 15 at 10 a.m.

The tour will take participants to areas rarely seen by the general public, including lobby spaces and the grand stage of Segerstrom Hall, as docents share their favorite facts, stories and history surrounding the celebrated Costa Mesa arts complex.

Attendees will meet at the box office, located at the street level entrance to Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. To RSVP, contact Diane Pritchet at (714) 435-2109 or [email protected]

Calling all competitors — it’s time for 2024 O.C. Fair competition entries

Organizers of the annual Orange County Fair are calling on all artists, growers and creators interested in entering the fair’s annual competitions, as entry deadlines are fast approaching.

People of all ages are invited to showcase their talents by submitting entries into more than 20 competition categories, including visual arts, culinary, home arts and hobbies, wine, horticulture and livestock. Separate divisions and competitions are available for youth-only entries.

Deadlines for entries vary by competition and may be viewed, along with competition guidelines, at ocfair.com/competitions . The site offers rules, regulations, important dates and entry fees, where applicable.

The first deadline, in the commercial wine category, will close May 17. The table settings competition has already exceeded its number of allowable entries and is already closed. To see winners from last year’s competition, visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/competitions-contests/results/ .

Irvine Ranch Conservancy celebrates wildflowers

In commemoration of National Wildflower Week, Irvine Ranch Conservancy plans a “Wildflower Takeover” on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages from May 5 through May 11. Posts will feature images and information about native wildflower species found on the landmarks, including cobweb thistle, longleaf bush lupine, southern bush monkey flower, California buckwheat, California goldfields, purple owl’s clover and black sage.

The nonprofit conservancy supports stewardship of Irvine’s natural landmarks and offers guided programs that include hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding and more.

Visit IRConservancy.org for more information.

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