First Days Together After Birth

The first few days after birth can be a happy and exciting time for some parents, but others experience fear and anxiety about how they will cope with a newborn baby. You may feel:

• Exhilarated
• Relieved
• Joyful
• Exhausted
• Disappointed
• Relaxed
• Weary
• Teary.

Everyone is different. These feelings can be heightened by a difficult labour or birth, or if you or your baby suffer with health issues.

Most women and some partners have the “baby blues” at some point for a day or two, often starting on the third day or so after birth. You might feel like you suddenly can’t cope - sometimes, little things can make you upset.

In order to quickly identify those babies at risk of clinical deterioration following birth, we might observe your baby in the first 12-36 hours after birth. This may include observing your baby’s breathing rate, temperature, oxygen levels, colour, blood glucose levels and how your baby responds. Some examples of why these observations may be performed include:

• We may be trying to idenitfy early signs of infection cause from factors before birth such as mecoium in the amniotic fluid, or your membranes had broken for a longer then expected period of time before the baby was born
•  If you had any form or diabetes in pregnancy, we wil want to ensure your baby can maintain normal blood sugar levels
• Some medication taken during pregnancy may mean baby required further observation, for example some mental health medication
• Premature birth may mean baby's are less able to maintain their temperatue or blood sugar levels

The staff caring for you will explain why the observations are being completed. 

When you are ready to be discharged from the maternity unit, the midwife will provide you with the relevant information and paperwork. They will complete a personalised care plan with you according to your needs. Ensure you tell them if your address and contact numbers have changed.

Your baby needs to leave hospital in a car seat so bring it to the hospital when you’re ready to be discharged.

Any follow-up appointments for you or your baby will be discussed with you and sent to you by post if not already arranged.

Once discharged from the Maternity Unit, the team midwives in the community will oversee the remainder of your postnatal care and update your plan as necessary.