Being discharged from the postnatal ward

Information and support for you and your baby after leaving the postnatal ward, including guidance on recovery, feeding, newborn care, wellbeing, and where to access help and advice when you need it.

Your midwife will ask you to watch the discharge video before you leave hospital. They will have a few follow up questions and complete your discharge form with you. Please watch the video, links are further advice and information are also included

Once you have been discharged from hospital, a midwife will be in touch to arrange a visit at home with 48 hours. If you have any concerns about yourself or you baby please call the triage line on 0118 322 7304

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Postnatal discharge support

If you'd like to refer to specific sections, you can do so below

Next steps when you leave the hospital 

Appointment requirements:

  • Registering the birth of your baby is a legal requirement that needs to happen within 42 days of birth: Births - Reading Borough Council   
  • GP appointment for you and the baby at 6/52
  • A health visitor will contact you in the first couple of weeks to introduce themselves and their service to you

 

First few days at home 

You will be visited at home by a community midwife, the visits will be any time between 8.30am and 4.30pm, 7 days a week including bank holidays.

If you do not receive a visit or have not been contacted by 4.00pm, please call Triage on 0118 322 7304

Baby crying 

Cry-sis provides support for families with a crying sleepless babies. 

You can contact their helpline: 08451 228 669 - 9am-10am 7 days a week

or on their website Homepage Who We Are | The Cry-sis Helpline

You can also find advice on the ICON website Parents - ICON: Babies cry, you can cope

Safer sleeping 

For more support on safe sleep, please refer to Safer sleep overview | The Lullaby Trust

Baby safety

Further important safety advice 

Pain relief after birth 

We suggest that taking pain relief regularly for a period of time is the most helpful way of managing discomfort.

We recommend having a supply of paracetamol and Ibuprofen at home to manage any discomfort. Your midwife will comfort with you what dose of medication you can take before home.

 

Breastfeeding support 

You will be able to receive feeding support from your community midwifery team.

Local support can be sourced via various breastfeeding organisations such as The Breastfeeding Network (BFN), La Leche League, NCT and Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) details can be found in your Red Book

Your health 

  • If you have concerns around the healing of a wound including pus, smell, signs of infection including fever 
  • If you pass blood clots bigger than a 50 pence piece or have any increased blood loss
  • Feeding concerns 
  • Signs of mastitis including engorged breasts, pain, lumps, heat, feeling unwell.
  • Increased abdominal pain

Call Triage on 0118 322 7304

Worried about your newborn baby 

The following symptoms require you to contact a health professional through NHS 111:

  • Change in cry - high pitched or weak 
  • Not interested in feeding
  • Passing much less urine than usual 
  • 'Soft spot' on head bulging or feeling like a blister 
  • High temperature or sweating 
  • Some blood is seen when the newborn has a bowel motion 

If your baby is showing symptoms that require urgent medical attention as specified in the video, please dial 999.