Postnatal Care

Some of your postnatal care appointments will be held at home, and some will take place in hospital, in a Children’s Centre or elsewhere in the community. Some women and babies will need more appointments, this will be discussed with you if they are needed.

Within 24 hours of having your baby, you will usually be discharged home from hospital, unless there are medical reasons that mean you and / or your baby need to stay a bit longer. Feeding support will be ongoing and the smoking cessation team will offer you support too if you need it. There are other support agencies that we can refer you to if needed, such as the counselling team.

Your first contact after you have been discharged from hospital will be from a local midwife. This will either be a telephone contact or a home visit. We will review and update your care plan that was started during your pregnancy, as your needs may have changed. This ensures you’ll receive the most suitable care and support to keep you well, physically and emotionally, while you are adjusting to parenthood.

Between days 2 and 4, the midwife or maternity support worker may visit you at home when you need it for your postnatal care.

The midwife or maternity support worker will also discuss how you are feeling in yourself, and how you are coping with your new baby. Don’t be afraid to be honest about anything you’re finding difficult. They will discuss how well your baby is feeding and give you advice if you have any problems or concerns. Your chosen way of feeding your baby will be discussed and support given with this. Your baby may be weighed during this period.

If this was not completely by your team midwife, they may make phone contact with you too, to make sure you’re okay.

Every baby is offered a newborn blood spot screening, also known as a heel prick test, ideally when the baby is 5 days old.

You will be visited on day 5 by a member of the team. Your baby will be weighed at this visit and, with your consent, they will complete the newborn blood spot screening test, also known as a heel prick test. The test involves taking a blood sample to find out if your baby has 1 of 9 rare but serious health conditions. Find out more at NHS UK and read “screening test for you and your baby“.

Between days 6-20, visits by your midwife/maternity support worker will be flexible according to your personal needs.

Your health visitor will receive a copy of your care plan from your midwife so that your planned care will continue.

Mums should have a postnatal check at around 6 weeks after your baby’s birth to make sure you feel well and you are recovering properly. Find out more and what to expect at NHS UK.