The staff on our postnatal wards are there to help and support you throughout your postnatal stay. We will take into account your physical and mental wellbeing and ensure you feel confident with baby cares before you are discharged.
What needs to happen before I go home?
Your baby should be feeding well and must be maintaining their own temperature before we will recommend it is time to go home. If you are having a quick discharge it would be great if we could see your baby feed at least once.
We also need to know that you are able to pass a normal amount of urine on your own before you leave. A trained midwife will offer to perform the NIPE check on your baby within 72 hours of birth.
Newborn Hearing Screening
A hearing check will be offered for your baby and will usually be done on the day of discharge. More information regarding the newborn hearing check can be found here.
BCG
If your baby is eligible for a BCG vaccine your midwife will discuss this with you before you are discharged.
Scans
If your baby needs a hip, kidney or heart scan, a follow up for this will be arranged before discharge
Most are done on an outpatient basis within the first few days or weeks of your baby’s life.
Medication
We will give you any medication you or your baby needs before you are discharged home and demonstrate how to take it.
