Frequently asked questions

A Hesta Health Check is a specialised postnatal health check that gives you a clinically led picture of your physical and mental health, combining blood testing, a detailed, clinically-designed health and wellbeing questionnaire, and expert review. The assessment is designed to build a complete picture of your postnatal health across 8 clinical areas.  A Hesta postnatal clinician reviews your questionnaire responses, stated goals, and blood results together, supported by our multidisciplinary clinical team including specialist clinicians, pelvic health physiotherapists, and mental health professionals.  You receive your Hesta Health Check results, along with a personalised plan that helps you with what to do next: the Hesta Care Guide.A Hesta Health Check can be taken any time in the first two years after birth, and is tailored to where you are in your postnatal journey.  You might want to use the Hesta Health Check when returning to work, thinking about exercise, planning another pregnancy, experiencing ongoing symptoms, or simply wanting clarity on your postnatal health.

You can complete your first Hesta Health Check from around 4 weeks after birth. If you think it’s right to complete it sooner and would like to check in with the Hesta team, please contact us at support@hesta.health and we can help you out.You can also choose to have a Health Check at any moment when you feel you woujld benefit from a fuller review of your health.  Some women choose to take health checks as they approach milestones such as stopping breastfeeding, returning to exercise, returning to work or thinking about planning another pregnancy.  Others use a health check as a way of assessing persistent symptoms, or because new issues have developed.  You do not need to wait until a problem feels severe, or even know whether you have a problem, before asking for help.The Health Check can be taken at any time in the first two years after birth, and is tailored to your goals and recovery stage - you won’t receive generic testing and advice.If you are unsure whether the service is suitable for your stage of recovery, you can contact the Hesta team before booking.And if you think you need more continuous support in the early days, Fourth Trimester Care may be right for you. Learn more here.

Yes. The routine six-to-eight-week postnatal check is an important part of NHS care and covers your baby as well. The Hesta Health Check is a separate, more detailed assessment designed to explore your wider health, recovery and individual concerns.It can complement your existing GP and maternity care, but it does not replace urgent medical care or any follow-up recommended by your NHS team.

The Hesta Health Check is designed so you can fit it around your life - we know life as a new mother or birthing parent can be busy and sometimes overwhelming. In general it takes around:Approximately 20 minutes to complete the Hesta360 questionnaire, although there’s no need to complete it all at once20 minutes to have your at-home blood testAs little or long as you like to review your Hesta Health Check results and Hesta Care Guide30 minutes for an online postnatal clinician consultation, if you’ve selected that option When we include processing times for your blood results and the time our clinicians take to review your Hesta360, it usually takes around two weeks to complete a full Hesta Health Check. But if it takes longer, that’s totally fine, it’s designed to be completed at your own pace.

Yes. Fatigue is common after having a baby, but persistent or severe exhaustion can sometimes be linked to factors such as disrupted sleep, iron deficiency, thyroid changes, nutrition, emotional wellbeing or the demands of recovery. The Health Check can explore possible contributing factors and help determine whether further tests, treatment or specialist support may be appropriate.

Yes. Emotional health is an important part of postnatal recovery. Your report will address concerns such as anxiety, low mood, feeling overwhelmed, intrusive thoughts or difficulty adjusting after birth. Where further support would be helpful, a Hesta clinician can discuss appropriate next steps and signpost or refer you to relevant care.

If a result or symptom needs further assessment, your clinician will explain why and recommend an appropriate next step. This may include speaking to your GP, arranging further tests or referring you to another healthcare professional. Hesta does not replace emergency, maternity or GP services. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical advice.

Hesta Health Checks are designed for you to have a clear understanding of your health status and what you can do next to support your recovery and longer term health, without a consultation. Your Hesta Health Check report and care guide are written and reviewed by a Hesta GP, who has been trained specifically in the healthcare needs of postnatal needs of women by Hesta. However, we know that some people also wish to discuss and talk through their results with a clinician, either because they have a specific health concern they want to discuss, or simply to have their results explained to them.You can easily book in to see one of our experienced postnatal clinicians via our website here or by contacting our friendly care team at care@hesta.health.

The Hesta360 is a complete postnatal health review developed with doctors, psychologists, and physiotherapists to explore all areas of your recovery - physical, emotional, and mental. It is a clinically-designed questionnaire that covers physical symptoms, emotional health, medical history, birth experience, lifestyle factors, and current concerns.

No. The Hesta360 is not a standalone diagnostic. It is a structured review of your health and wellbeing, designed to be used alongside your Hesta Health blood tests to help your clinician understand where you most need support.

Hesta360 only makes sense as part of a full clinical pathway. The results and responses need to be interpreted in context by a qualified clinician. Our goal is to give you joined-up, meaningful insights - not isolated numbers or data points.

Most postnatal clinical consultations are delivered online, so you can access expert support from the comfort of your own home. If there is a clinical need for in-person care, we can arrange this on an individual basis and we will guide towards the most appropriate format for your care and recovery.

All Hesta Health postnatal clinicians are experienced GPs, who have undergone an intense selective process to join Hesta. We’ll match you with the most suitable postnatal GP, but you can request continuity if you prefer.

You can refer back to your Hesta Health Check results and Hesta Care Guide whenever you like. If you’d like to arrange follow-on care, or further appointments, through Hesta Health, you can arrange them through our website here. You can also book a follow up Health Check.