Post-Natal

We are very fortunate here in Christchurch to have an amazing choice of places to birth and to stay postnatally once your baby is born.

We have 3 amazing primary birthing units (St Georges, Lincoln Maternity and Rangiora Maternity). If you choose to birth at one of our primary units, you are entitled to enjoy up to 2 nights postnatal stay where you will be looked after by a midwife to assist you with breastfeeding, give you advise and ensuring you and your baby are well.

If you chose to birth at Christchurch Womens Hospital and are well, you are expected to transfer to one of the above primary units for your 2 nights postnatal stay or home if you wish.

If you have had complications, there is a possibility that your postnatal stay may remain at Christchurch Womens Hospital.

www.stgeorges.org.nz/patient-information/maternity-unit/

www.cdhb.health.nz/hospitals-health-facilities/lincoln-maternity-hospital/

www.cdhb.health.nz/hospitals-health-facilities/rangiora-health-hub/

After your postnatal stay, your postnatal midwife will visit you at home (or other location at your request) for 4-6 weeks.

The number of visits provided will depend on your needs, but is typically every few days until baby has regained its birth weight and then weekly. If any concerns are noted, your midwife may refer you to other providers e.g Lactation Consultants, Paediatrician etc. Prior to your last visit, your midwife will notify your GP and Well Child provider so they can continue your care.

You will be offered several checks and screening tests for your baby.

A full ‘head to toe’ check is offered within a couple of hours of your baby being born and is repeated at one week and prior to discharge.

The newborn metabolic screening test screens for rare but potentially serious conditions that can make your baby very sick. Newborn hearing screening checks whether your baby hears well.

Your Newborn Baby’s Blood Test (The Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme)

Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborns need lots of touch, warmth and feeds.

The first 2 weeks are usually the hardest as you adjust to becoming a parent and getting to know your baby. Patience and rest is very important and knowing each stage does not last too long before baby adapts to the world on the outside. Frequent feeding is normal. Your newborn stomach is very small so needs feeding every 1-3 hours. Food becomes the most important thing for your baby followed by sleep. Your baby should feed on demand when your baby needs – meaning that feeding can be frequent and variable.

This behaviour can be hard to adjust too, but your baby will create his or her own semi-routine. However, as your baby is growing so fast, the routine can change often.

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. Breastmilk is the biologically normal way of providing infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. It recommended you breast feed until around six months and your baby is ready for foods. As midwives we will support you in beginning your breastfeeding relationship.

However, if for some reason breastfeeding is not the right choice for you or your baby then we can discuss your options and support you with alternatives.

We encourage you to attend an antenatal breastfeeding classes in the last trimester of your pregnancy, you can find information here:

https://www.stgeorges.org.nz/patient-information/maternity-unit/breastfeeding-support/

http://canbreastfeed.co.nz/

http://whanauoraservices.co.nz/services/canterbury-breastfeeding-advocacy-service/peer-to-peer/

Other useful sites

Breastfeeding Your Baby (HE2098)

BreastFedNZ: Free Breastfeeding App

Video – Breastfeeding Naturally

Eating for Healthy Breastfeeding Women (HE1806)

Breastfeeding and Working (HE2106)

NZ College of Midwives – Consensus Statement on Breastfeeding

La Leche League 

The first few weeks with a new baby brings many new joys but can be very challenging. During this time be open to offers of help. If people in your family aren’t sure how to help, talk to them about what you’d like them to do. You can also talk to your midwife, Well Child Provider or GP about the support services available in your area.

Healthline 0800 611 116 for health advice

PlunketLine 0800 933 922 for parenting advice

Pelvic floor muscles work hard during pregnancy and birth. Regularly performing pelvic floor exercises strengthens the muscles, reducing or avoiding stress incontinence (wetting yourself) during and after pregnancy. Women should do pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy and post pregnancy for strengthening.

NZ Ministry of Health – Pelvic Floor Exercises

Plunket is a charity and Aotearoa’s largest support service for the health and wellbeing of tamariki under-five and their whānau.

They offer free health and development checks, a 24/7 parenting helpline, and a range of local services.

Your midwife will hand over to a Plunket nurse for routine checks.

For more information view https://www.plunket.org.nz/