In the postnatal ward, your baby will be in the same room so you can see signs that your baby is hungry, uncomfortable, needs a change or wants a cuddle. We call this ‘rooming in’.
There are many benefits to rooming in:
Sharing your bed with your baby for the purpose of sleeping is not an accepted practice within the hospital environment, as in some circumstances this has been associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents.
Please return your baby to the cot after feeding and cuddles. This is especially important when you are very tired and finding it difficult to stay awake.
More information: Red Nose – safe sleeping
Your baby needs to have two identification bands (usually one on their hand and foot) and a tape identification on their back at all times. Please notify your midwife/nurse immediately if any of these become loose or fall off.
If you are ever separated from your baby, ensure that you and the staff check the identification bands against yours, once you are reunited.
While in hospital, your baby will be identified by your surname. For example, ‘Smith, B/O Sarah Jane’. B/O stands for ‘Baby Of’, and Sarah Jane would be the mum’s first name and middle name. Later, when registering your baby’s birth, you may choose to use either your surname or the father’s surname.
If you have a normal, uncomplicated vaginal birth, you can expect to be discharged from hospital between six and 24 hours after birth.
If you have an uncomplicated caesarean birth, discharge may be 48–72 hours after birth.
If you are in the postnatal ward you will receive ongoing care and support from the midwives, nurses, medical officers and allied health team. Discharge time can vary depending on the time of birth but is generally 10:00 am.
The midwives will offer discharge information and you will have an opportunity to ask questions before you go home.
After your baby is born, you will be given a birth registration pack, including:
In the case of same sex female parents, only one parent can be registered as the baby's mother.
More information:
Practical support
Involve your family and friends. They can provide a network of help for emergencies, babysitting, social activities and ‘time out’ for you.
Personal support
These are people you can talk to about how you are feeling. They may include family, friends and health professionals.
More information:
Many women experience some difficulties when establishing breastfeeding, most are minor and can be overcome by advice, assistance and support.
On the third or fourth day after your baby is born, your breasts may become fuller as the milk flow increases.
Your midwife, child health nurse or a lactation consultant will be happy to help or you may like to review the breastfeeding section or contact:
Your abdomen will probably be quite ‘baggy’ and soft after birth. Despite birthing your baby, the placenta and a lot of fluid, you’ll still be quite a lot bigger than you were before pregnancy. This is partly because your muscles have stretched. If you eat a balanced diet and get some exercise, your shape should soon return to normal.
Breastfeeding helps because it makes the uterus contract. Because of this, you may sometimes feel a painful ‘twinge’ in your stomach or period-type pain while you are breastfeeding. These are known as ‘afterbirth’ pains. These usually settle after a few days.
After having a baby, it’s quite common to leak urine accidentally if you laugh, cough or move suddenly. Pelvic floor exercises can help prevent this. If the problem lasts for more than three months, see your GP, who may refer you to a physiotherapist.
More information: Continence Foundation of Australia – Pregnancy
After your birth, you will bleed from your vagina. This will be quite heavy at first, which is why you will need super-absorbent sanitary pads. Do not use tampons until after your six week postnatal check, as they can cause infections.
During a breastfeed, you may notice that the bleeding is heavier along with ‘afterbirth’ pains.
Gradually the bleeding will become a brownish colour and may continue for some weeks, getting less and less until it stops.
Be alert!
If the amount of bleeding suddenly increases, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to discuss what is normal and what may be an emergency. If you find you are losing blood in large clots, you should save your sanitary pads to show the midwife or doctor.
Haemorrhoids are very common after birth and usually disappear within a few days.
Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, wholegrain bread and cereals, and drink plenty of water. This should make bowel movements easier and less painful. Do not push or strain because this will make the haemorrhoids worse.
Always see your GP if you are concerned.
If you have stitches after tearing in your perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) or an episiotomy (where the midwife or doctor has cut the perineum so your baby can be birthed more easily), make sure you shower with plain warm water. After showering, dry yourself carefully. In the first few days, remember to sit down gently and lie on your side rather than on your back.
If the stitches are sore and uncomfortable, tell your midwife as they may be able to recommend treatment.
Painkillers will also help. If you’re breastfeeding, check with your midwife, doctor or pharmacist before you buy over-the-counter products, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. The stitches do not need to be removed—they will dissolve by the time the area has healed.
If your blood group is Rhesus negative, blood samples will be taken after the birth to see whether your baby is Rhesus positive.
You may need an injection to protect your next baby from anaemia. If so, the injection should be given within 72 hours of your baby being born.
Check with one of the doctors or midwives about what should happen in your case.
More information: Queensland Clinical Guidelines parent information – RhD negative blood type in pregnancy
After you’ve had your baby, you’ll be offered some checks and immunisations.
Rubella
If you were not immune to rubella (German measles) when tested early in your pregnancy, you will usually be offered the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine by your midwife before you leave the hospital, or shortly afterwards by your doctor.
Avoid getting pregnant again for at least one month after the injection.
The return of a menstrual cycle is different for every woman.
Even if you are exclusively breastfeeding, you can start ovulating. That means you can get pregnant again without even knowing that it has happened.
Ask your doctor about your family planning options and if they are compatible with breastfeeding.
Family planning advice and counselling services can be accessed through your GP, women’s health professionals, and True Relationships and Reproductive Health.
Postnatal exercises will help to tone the muscles of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles (tummy). They will also get you moving and feeling fitter.
Ask your midwife or physiotherapist for postnatal class information.
Review the information in the breastfeeding section .
During pregnancy and after baby is born, most women experience a range of emotions. It’s normal to feel some worry during pregnancy and when having a baby. However, if you feel worrying thoughts are becoming a regular part of life, it can help to talk about any concerns with your doctor, partner or a close friend.
It is important to let someone know if you (or your partner) are:
Depression and anxiety can occur at any time in your life and can often come to the surface with major events like pregnancy or having a baby.
It is important to keep a check on how you are feeling emotionally and discuss any concerns with your health care professional.
For more information and support:
Partners can:
Good Start to life – Children’s Health Queensland
Postnatal care – baby and you, 23 Mar 2023, [https://www.qld.gov.au/health/children/pregnancy/antenatal-information/postnatal-care-baby-and-you]
This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qld.gov.au/health/children/pregnancy/antenatal-information/postnatal-care-baby-and-you.