Postnatal Care
On your first day at home the midwife will:
- Take your blood pressure, pulse and temperature
- Perform a postnatal examination on mum/baby
- Record any findings on a neonatal body map
- Advise of signs of potential life threatening illnesses
- Discuss and complete the postnatal safe sleeping record
- Give you advice if you have QUIT smoking during pregnancy, encourage you to stay stopped,and keep your home smoke free
- Ensure an infant feeding care plan is completed and peer support numbers are given
- Offer a CO (carbon monoxide) measurement.
If available and appropriate:
- You will now be asked to access your local Children’s Centre or Community venues on an appointed day.
On day 3 the midwife will:
- Perform a postnatal examination on mum/baby
- Weigh your baby
- Ensure you understand the information in your postnatal leaflets
- Explain and provide information about the newborn blood spot screening
- Review your care plan.
On days 5-8 the midwife will:
- Perform a postnatal examination on mum/bab
- If applicable remove your sutures and/or beads (Day 5)
- Weigh your baby
- Perform the newborn bloodspot screening with consent
- Provide advice on the method, timing and resumption of contraception
- Review your care plan.
On days 8-11 / 11-14 the midwife will:
- Perform a postnatal examination on mum/baby
- Re-weigh baby
- Review your care plan
- If you have a raised BMI, encourage you to manage your weight prior to next pregnancy.
If there are no concerns or issues, you will be discharged and your care handed to your Health Visitor. The midwife will ensure you have the relevant contact numbers. Midwives are able to offer advice until day 28.
