After care for you & your baby

Your community midwife will see you the day after you are discharged from the hospital and then on at least twice again, once between five and eight days to undertake the ‘heel prick’ test on your baby and again after ten days to check that you and your baby are adapting well to family life. More visits will be offered depending on your individual need and you can also access one of our many ‘postnatal drop-in clinics’ which are run in a variety of settings. Ask you community midwife about the ones nearest to you.

Life as a new parent can be extremely challenging whilst at the same time being a wonderful experience. In those early days, we would encourage you to accept any help that is offered by your family and friends. If they offer to help with household chores accept it as it gives you more time to get to know your baby. If at any time you feel that you are not coping with life as a new parent, speak to your midwife or health visitor. They will help you work through some of the challenges you may be facing.

Sleep deprivation is not unusual when you have a new baby. Rest when you can. If your baby has a nap during the day you should too! Talk to your midwife about when to restart regular exercise. The type of birth you had may affect how soon you can.

You can get pregnant very quickly after having a baby. Although sex may be the last thing on your mind your midwife will talk to you about what your options are. You can also talk to your GP or attend your local family planning clinic.

At Liverpool Women’s, we actively promote and support breastfeeding and you will be offered help by our midwives and support staff both in the hospital and when you get home. There are also many organisations such as The National Childbirth Trust (0870 444 8708) and The Breastfeeding Network (0870 900 8787) that offer breastfeeding advice and practical support. The Peer Support Programme involves mothers who have breastfed their own babies and have had specialist training to help them support other mothers.

Following the birth of your baby if you become concerned and need to access emergency services please report to Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Their emergency department is located on the Eaton Road entrance.