Life after labour
During pregnancy many couples feel so preoccupied with the thought of labour and birth that they push aside thoughts of the postnatal days. Here is a brief outline of the care you will be offered from your midwife and some tips for making these exciting days as easy as possible.
After you have spent time with your baby in the birth room enjoying skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding if you wish (wherever your baby is born), you will be taken to the postnatal area unless you choose to go straight home. Your baby will be with you at all times unless there is good reason. A midwife will be available to help you handle, change and feed your baby, and you will very quickly become expert in all these things.
Feeding
Babies and mums take time to get to know each other and they learn together. Some babies take longer than others to feed, and that is fine. What is important is that you relax and enjoy cuddling your baby and don't worry about what others around you are doing. Your midwife will be there to support and advise you.
Going home
After a straightforward birth many women feel happy to go home after 24 or 48 hours (some right away). If you have had a more difficult birth you may wish to stay longer. When you go home a midwife will be in contact with you until your baby is 10 days old. That will usually (and always if you wish) be a visit to check you are fine, but sometimes a phone call is sufficient. As well as the midwife visit, you might also like to pop into the unit to meet with other mums at our postnatal group / breastfeeding peer support group.
Changes
Life changes when a baby joins the family and that, as well as hormonal changes, can leave a woman feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes around day 3 after the birth women feel very weepy and, although this usually passes quite quickly, it is useful for you and your family to be prepared for it. your midwife is always available to talk to and, if you feel you need extra support, she can arrange that too.
Sleep
Sleep is disturbed as babies tend to be nocturnal in the early days. It is normal for your baby to sleep for long periods during the day and then to feed often during the night. This won't last forever but can be exhausting while it does. The old saying 'sleep when baby sleeps' is very wise and helps you to cope with less sleep at night. Maybe family and friends could be encouraged to help around the house and let you go for a nap.
Look after yourself
Eating well, drinking plenty of fluids and taking some light exercise keeps your body in shape for the job of being a new mother. You will be given information about all of this when you leave your place of birth. You will also be given phone numbers for extra support and of course your midwife's contact number which you can use any time.
Health Visitor
After your baby is about 10 days old your midwife will hand over care to your health visitor who is part of the team at your GP surgery. You can still call your midwife for advice or support at night or over the weekend. Your health visitor will visit you and arrange a plan which includes regular baby weighing, ongoing support for the family and later on you will be able to discuss immunisations and your child's progress.
