When can I take my baby home, and what happens next?

If you decide on having your baby in a Birthing Unit or at Christchurch Women's and the birth is uncomplicated, you will be discharged from the hospital within 48 hours after the birth.
Your midwife or back up midwife will see you within 24 hours of discharge from hospital and there after will arrange to see you as required for a minimum of 5 home visits. You will continue to have 24 hour midwife availability should you have any concerns for yourself or your baby.

Your baby's weight will be monitored as one of the means for assessing ongoing progress. Most midwives will weigh your baby at birth and then weekly. While weight is a good means of assessing ongoing well being it is not the most reliable. Being aware of your baby's alertness, vigour/enthusiasm at feeding, frequency of bowel and bladder movements and general pattern of behaviour will tell you much sooner if your baby is unwell.

You will be discharged from midwifery care between 4-6weeks. This time frame will depend on how you are physically, emotionally and once you have established breastfeeding. Your midwife will discuss your discharge in advance.
Prior to discharge a referral to your chosen "Well Child Provider" will be completed and in most instances they will have made contact and visited before your midwife's final visit.

At each visit the midwife will assess both yours and your baby's well being. This will include assessing and assisting with any breastfeeding concerns or issues. There are excellent support groups for women who are breastfeeding and your midwife will provide this information for you.