After your baby is born – care on the postnatal ward

Care on the postnatal ward

Handover times

Our handover times on the postnatal ward are:

• 7:30am – 8am
• 7:30pm – 8pm

There may be fewer midwives around in the bays and rooms during these times, but if you require assistance please don’t hesitate to use your call bell.

If you and your baby are well, you may not see a doctor on the postnatal ward. However, midwives can request a doctor to come and see if required.

Observations

There will be a number of checks that you and baby will have before you are discharged from the postnatal ward to make sure you are both well to go home.

Temperature, Pulse and Blood Pressure will be checked at least once during your stay, and possibly more depending on the type of birth you have had and how long you are required to stay.

If you have had a caesarean, your observations will initially be checked every half an hour for the first two hours on the postnatal ward and then hourly. This is to make sure you are recovering well from your operation.

Pain relief

Pain relief will be offered to you on the ward after birth if required. For most mums and birthing people delivering at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, this will be:

Paracetamol 1 gram, 4 times a day
(TWO 500mg tablets to be taken four times a day).

Ibuprofen 400mg, 4 times a day
(TWO 200mg tablets to be taken four times a day).

These are maximum doses in a 24 hour period and you must NOT take any more than this.

Both these options are safe to take when breastfeeding. Additional types of pain relief are available on the ward if you feel you need this, speak to your midwife.

Postnatal checks

Daily checks of yourself and your baby will be performed. These checks include:

You:

• Observations (Temperature, Pulse and Blood Pressure)
• Palpation of your abdomen to check your uterus is returning to its normal position.
• How much you are bleeding
• That you are weeing normally
• Checking that your stitches are healing well (if you have stitches)
• Talking about how you feel
• Checking your legs for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Your breasts and nipples.

Your baby:

• Discussion around feeding and a feeding checklist
• Top to Toe visual check (we will remove your baby’s clothes and nappy to check their skin)
• Wees and poos (how many? what colour?)
• Checking for Jaundice

Support workers will be regularly visiting your bay / bed during “care and comfort rounds” to offer any assistance you may need for yourself or your baby in addition to your observations and postnatal check. Please let them know if you need anything.

Bladder Care – Postnatal ward

If you have had a caesarean, instrumental delivery or an anaesthetic such as a spinal or epidural you may have a catheter following birth. This will be removed on the postnatal ward usually 12 hours after your birth and when you are mobile.

What will happen:

• Your catheter will usually be removed 12 hours post birth and when you are fully mobile.
• Aim to pass urine 4-6 hours after your catheter is removed. Please pass urine into a container provided and let your midwife know once you have passed urine.
• Your urine sample will be measured, and a scan will be performed at the bedside to check your bladder has emptied fully. This is done over your lower tummy while you lie on the bed and is quick and painless. 
• When you next have an urge to pass urine again please pass urine into a container. Let your midwife know so it can be measured.
• A second bladder scan will be performed at your bedside and if normal no further samples or scans are needed. 
• Sometimes it can take a bit longer for your body to get used to passing urine again normally after birth. If the midwives have any concerns with your samples or scans, they will discuss with you the next steps. 

Hints and tips:

• Continue to take pain relief regularly – it is harder to pass urine if you are uncomfortable.
• Drink normally and when you are thirsty. Don’t drink more than usual, this can cause problems.
• Get up and walk about – Movement can help.
• Take a warm shower – this will help you to relax.
• Take other measures to feel relaxed – ask your birth partner to watch your baby. Go to a toilet that you feel comfortable in.
• Let your midwife know if you feel constipated (can’t go for a poo) as this can cause problems with passing urine. Constipation can be easily treated.

Feeding support

Midwives, students and a lot of maternity care assistants will be able to provide feeding support while you are staying on the postnatal ward. In addition, we have breastfeeding friend volunteers that are on the ward that can also assist you with feeding your baby.

The link below will take you to the infant feeding support page, which gives you all the information about feeding support available on the ward and once you go home

Visit our infant feeding page.

Hearing Screening

You will be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you’re discharged. This will be performed by a hearing screener on the postnatal ward. If you get discharged without this screening being performed an appointment will be arranged in your local area.

For further information about hearing screening and what is involved please see: Newborn hearing screening – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Newborn physical examination – NIPE

All parents are offered a thorough physical examination for their baby within 72 hours of giving birth. The examination includes screening tests to find out if your baby has any problems with their eyes, heart, hips and, in boys, testicles (testes).

For more information visit: Newborn physical examination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

This examination will be performed by midwives on the postnatal ward unless your baby is under the care of the neonatal team, when this may be performed by a neonatal doctor.

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