Support at home – caring for yourself after birth

Support at home – caring for yourself after birth

This short film will give you important information that you need to be aware of now that you have had your baby.

If you feel generally unwell or have any concerns with your physical health after birth, up until 6 weeks you can call Maternity Triage on 01905 733196.

Things to look out for after birth

Call Maternity Triage (01905 733196) if you are experiencing:

• Sudden lower abdominal pain 
• Pain, redness or heat in the breast and other signs of mastitis 
• Redness, discharge or swelling around incisions or stitches 
• Offensive, foul smelling vaginal discharge/blood loss 
• Difficulty urinating or pain when urinating 
• A high or low temperature 
• Headache 
• Feeling generally unwell 
• Sudden heavy bleeding or loosing clots  
• Swelling in one leg/ foot/ Redness / heat or pain in your calf 
• Shortness of breath or chest pain 

High Blood pressure

If you have suffered with high blood pressure during pregnancy you will need to monitor your blood pressure regularly and continue to take your anti-hypertensive medication if needed. Your midwife will suggest that you make an appointment with your GP two weeks after birth. Your GP will also check your blood pressure at your postnatal check when you are 6 to 8 weeks postnatal.  

If you suffer from sudden headaches, changes in vison, pain in your upper tummy, nausea or shortness of breath please call triage immediately for review.  

Legs and feet 

Some women experience swelling in their feet and legs after birth, especially if they’ve had a caesarean. This can be uncomfortable, but it’s usually not a problem. Ice packs, foot baths and elevating your feet for a little while can be helpful, and swelling should improve after 1-2 weeks. 

If you have been given compression stockings, you should wear them for as long as you have been advised (usually around a week). Some women will be sent home with a course of injections to prevent blood clots if they are at increased risk – if so, make sure you finish the course. To prevent a deep vein thrombosis you should keep mobile, drink lots of water and do ankle exercises (e.g. rotating your feet). 

Emotional health and mental health support postnatally 

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is very important. It’s very common for new parents to feel tired, overwhelmed and anxious. 

Mental health problems during pregnancy or after having a baby are common. If you are concerned about your mental wellbeing, or your partner’s, speak to your midwife or get support.  

Baby Blues

It’s very common to feel low, tearful, irritable and anxious. This is known as ‘baby blues’ and this can last for a few days or a few weeks. You might also find it hard to connect to the baby or yourself.  This is because of the major hormonal shift that happens in your brain and body after having a baby, as well as your birth experience, recovery and lack of sleep.   

Depression

Around 1 in 8 develop postnatal depression  (and 1 in 10 birthing partners develop postnatal depression). This can feel similar to the baby blues, however feelings can become more intense and last longer. You may feel significantly low, anxious or numb. You might have obsessional thoughts, panic attacks and feelings of inadequacy. This can affect many aspects of your day-to-day life. 

You are doing nothing wrong by feeling this way. Please let us know how you are feeling so we can support you.

Anxiety

Anxiety can affect people in different ways and sometimes prevent them from doing ordinary everyday things. We all have anxiety where we worry more, feel our heart is racing, possibly feeling dizzy or nauseous and this is normal when we are taking an exam, having an interview etc. If these symptoms are happening when you wouldn’t expect them to and stop you doing things then you many need to speak to someone and get some help to deal with your anxiety. 

Postpartum psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health illness that can affect new mothers. Find more information about postpartum psychosis on the NHS website. Although this is very rare it is very serious and needs urgent medical attention.

This video from Perinatal Positivity brings together real-life stories to show that mental health problems in pregnancy and after the birth are common, can happen to anyone, and treatment can have good results.  

Help and support in Worcestershire

There are several ways to access support for your mental health. If you are extremely concerned about your own or someone else’s mental health and need urgent support, please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. 

Local mental health services

Talking Therapies

Talking Therapies is a free confidential service run by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. 

They are trained and experienced in supporting a wide range of more common mental health issues. This often involves ‘talking therapy’ approaches which may be delivered through groups and courses, as well as 1-to-1 support.

• Online therapy 
• Groups and courses 
• 1:1 therapy 
• Employment support 

If you are over 16 live in Herefordshire or Worcestershire and are registered with a GP within this area, you can self-refer by completing the online form: Self refer into NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies | Talking Therapies 

Perinatal Mental Health Team  

The Perinatal Mental Health Team is a specialist service focused on helping women at risk of developing, or experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties, during pregnancy and during the year following childbirth or require pre-conceptual counselling.

The perinatal team is based in Worcester and provides a service across the whole of Worcestershire.  

Health and social care professionals, such as your midwife, GP or health visitor can refer you to this service. Please speak to a healthcare professional if you feel you would benefit from being referred to the perinatal mental health team, unfortunately you cannot self-refer.

For more information visit: Our Services | Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust 

Beacon  

Beacon offers a service to women and birthing people who are experiencing moderate, severe and complex mental health difficulties (or difficulties which are at a level that mean day to day life and/or the new parenting relationship is significantly affected) which are linked to the following: 

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following birth trauma or perinatal loss 
• Baby loss at any stage (intra-uterine death, neonatal death, still birth, early miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy). 
• A severe fear of childbirth (tokophobia), primary or secondary.

Referrals can be made by your GP or any health and social care professional. Please speak to a healthcare professional if you feel you would benefit from this service. 

For more information visit: Our Services | Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust 

DadPad 

DadPad is free online information pack developed by dads for dads; helping fathers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire prepare for family life and tackles the mental health issues which can affect new parents.

The app covers a range of topics, such as, breastfeeding support, awareness of mental health difficulties, the anxiety and frustrations that come with parenthood. As well as hands-on advice on nappy changing and surviving with no sleep! It aims to provide new fathers with guidance on how to develop the mind-set, confidence and practical skills needed to meet their baby’s physical and emotional needs. 

More information is available at: DadPad | DadPad app | Essential guide for new dads 

Questions about your birth

Labour and birth can be a wonderful experience, but sadly sometimes people will suffer from birth trauma. You might have had a very different birth to the one you imagined, or you may come away from the experience with negative feelings, emotions or unanswered questions.

If you have questions about your birth or maternity care experience you can speak to your community midwife, HV or GP. They will be able to access your notes and often be able to answer any queries you have. 

If you feel you need more in depth information about your birth Worcester has a debrief service that a healthcare profession such as your midwife, health visitor and GP can refer you too.

This service is currently under review and changes may be made in the future but at the moment we can offer a one off, one-to-one session with an experienced midwife or obstetrician depending on your questions or concerns. They are currently held over the telephone. During this appointment you will have an opportunity to look back at your notes and ask any questions you may have. 

Spending time reflecting on the birth of your baby may make you feel very emotional. Although it is important to talk to your midwife about how you are feeling, it is also important that you are aware that our debrief service is not a counselling service.

If you feel you would benefit from on-going counselling and support then a referral to the perinatal mental health, beacon or talking therapies is recommended, please speak to your midwife, GP or Health Visitor to discuss this.

Postnatal exercises and advice 

Having a baby can change your body. The information page on the link below provides advice and exercise to help aid your physical recovery after the birth of your baby:

Postnatal Exercises and Advice – Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 

If you are unable to control urine or bowel leakage, have uncontrolled loss of wind, pelvic girdle pain, sudden vaginal discomfort, backache or bulging abdominal muscles please visit: www.squeezelifthold.co.uk for exercises you can do to help improve these symptoms. 

If your symptoms continue or you need extra advice or support, then your midwife or GP can refer you to our pelvic health physiotherapy team.

Sex and Contraception after birth

More information about sex and contraception after birth, is available on the NHS website. 

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