Giving birth doesn’t automatically mean the end of any care from health professionals. If you’re wondering what postnatal care is provided, here’s a useful guide to what you should receive.

 

According to guidelines produced by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) every healthy woman and healthy baby using NHS services should be offered postnatal care for six to eight weeks after giving birth.

 

Immediately after the birth, your midwife will visit you for at least 10 days. Midwives in some areas may visit every day for 10 days, whilst others prefer to continue visits for the first 28 days. Either way, they will be there to offer you support and advice in the early days following the birth of your baby. It’s a good opportunity for you to raise any questions that need answering or discuss things you’re not sure about.

 

Your midwife or another healthcare professional should give you a personal child health record for your baby. It will help keep notes of your baby’s health until at least the age of five years old and will be regularly updated as your baby has various checks, vaccinations etc. The midwife will perform various routine health checks on both you and your baby when she visits. For example, your baby will be weighed regularly to ensure they’re healthy and putting on weight. They’ll also act as a source of information on all sorts of practical issues, such as feeding your baby, bathing techniques and sleeping issues.

 

When your baby’s about two weeks old, you should get to meet your health visitor. They’ll make contact with you and will act as a support to you during the newborn baby’s childhood. They’ll also work closely with the rest of the healthcare professionals at your local surgery, such as your GP (general practitioner) and the practice nurse. In some areas, your doctor may also visit you at home after you’ve had your baby to check that both mum and baby are doing well.

 

As you reach the last stages of your postnatal care, six to eight weeks after giving birth, your healthcare professional should be reviewing your recovery and overall health. Discussions may involve how you’re feeling, you may be offered advice on issues such contraception and given suggestions for mums and babies groups in your local area.

 

If you’ve ever got queries, worries or issues that you want to discuss, then your midwife, health visitor or GP are a good port of call. Having a baby can be emotionally and physically draining and can produce a huge range of emotions, but talking things through can help.

 

There are also other useful organisations, such as the National Childbirth Trust, that run postnatal support groups and a helpline to help guide you through the early days after the birth. It’s all very well attending antenatal classes when you’re pregnant, but if you’re having a baby for the first time, the reality of life with a baby can be very different when it finally arrives. The most important thing is that you don’t feel left on your own, as there are people out there who may be able to offer assistance and advice. So don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek help if you need it.