While you get to know each other
In preparation for returning home, we will provide general afterbirth care and support for you both (called postnatal care) including:
If you have your baby in our delivery suite or one of our birth centres, your midwife will make sure you and your baby are both comfortable immediately following your birth.
They will support you to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby if you wish to do so, and will support you with feeding during this time.
Your baby will be examined by the midwife and two name labels will be checked with you before placing them on your baby’s ankles.
Your baby will also have a ‘baby charm’ placed on one of their ankles to maintain their security throughout their stay. The two name labels and ‘baby charm’ must stay on your baby during your stay – let your midwife know if any of them fall off at any time.
If you have your baby in one of our birth centres, you will remain on the birth centre following the birth of your baby. Your midwife will arrange for your baby to have a full examination, called the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE), from 6 hours after your baby’s birth.
Following this, your midwife will discharge you from the birth centre the same day if you are both ready to go home. If you or your baby require any further monitoring or tests, you will be transferred to our postnatal ward.
To discuss postnatal care, you can phone us on: 020 7363 8778.
If you have your baby in our delivery suite, you and your baby will be transferred to our postnatal ward following the birth of your baby.
Your midwife on the postnatal ward will arrange for your baby to have a full examination, called the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) – this is usually carried out the following day, and always within 72 hours of your baby’s birth.
You may need to be seen by one of the doctors (obstetricians) if you had a complicated birth or require further tests. This will be arranged on the postnatal ward.
Your midwife will arrange for you and your baby to be discharged from the postnatal ward once all the relevant checks have been made. To contact the postnatal ward (Larch), please phone us on: 020 7363 8136.
If you have your baby at home, you will stay at home after the birth of your baby, and your midwife will make sure you are both comfortable before they leave.
They will arrange for your baby to have a full examination, called the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE), within 72 hours of their birth.
This is a routine examination, and your midwife will try to arrange for this to be done at home. If this is not possible, they will arrange for the appointment to be in the hospital.
How long you and your baby have to stay in hospital after delivery depends entirely on you as individuals.
Our team will keep you updated on when you are likely to go home, but broadly speaking:
There are occasions when a mother and/or their baby may require a longer stay in hospital, but this will be discussed with you by your midwife at the time.
Community midwives and maternity support workers will provide your postnatal care when you go home. They will visit you at home and ask you to attend your local postnatal clinic too.
Your community midwife will visit you at home the day after you go home from the hospital or birth centre. They will conduct a full postnatal check for you and your baby and can support you with feeding at this time.
Your postnatal plan of care, including your subsequent visits or appointments, will be agreed between yourself and your community midwife to meet your individual needs.
Every baby is offered a newborn bloodspot test (NBBS) on day 5 after birth. This is sometimes called the heel prick test. Your baby will also be weighed at this appointment. Your community midwife will discuss all of this in more detail with you at the time.
If you have your baby at our birth centre, their hearing test will be carried out in the community by a community midwife, once you have been dischrged.
Your community midwife will discuss with you when you want to be discharged from the maternity service. This is usually around 10-14 days after your birth. If you want to see the midwife for longer, we can provide care up to 28 days following your birth.
Your health visitor will contact you following your birth and visit you and your baby around 14 days after your birth. They will be your main contact until your baby is 5 years old.
Good nutrition and healthy start vitamins in pregnancy and after birth can help mothers maintain their own health and provide the best for their baby.
Vitamins and good nutrition can also help young children to grow up healthy, strong and with a reduced risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease later in life.
All pregnant women and people, new mothers and children under the age of four can access FREE vitamins, including the recommended amount of Vitamin D.
Find out where to collect your vitamins