• Getting pregnant
  • Preschooler
  • Life as a parent
  • Baby essentials
  • Find your birth club
  • Free antenatal classes
  • Meet local parents & parents-to-be
  • See all in Community
  • Ovulation calculator
  • Am I pregnant quiz
  • How to get pregnant fast
  • Best sex positions
  • Signs of pregnancy
  • How many days after your period can you get pregnant?
  • How age affects fertility
  • Very early signs of pregnancy
  • What fertile cervical mucus looks like
  • Think you're pregnant but the test is negative?
  • Faint line on pregnancy test
  • See all in Getting pregnant
  • Pregnancy week by week
  • How big is my baby?
  • Due date calculator
  • Baby movements week by week
  • Symptoms you should never ignore
  • Hospital bag checklist
  • Signs of labour
  • Your baby's position in the womb
  • Baby gender predictor
  • Vaginal spotting
  • Fetal development chart
  • See all in Pregnancy
  • Baby names finder
  • Baby name inspiration
  • Popular baby names 2022
  • Numerology calculator
  • Gender-neutral names
  • Old-fashioned names
  • See all in Baby names
  • Your baby week by week
  • Baby milestones by month
  • Baby rash types
  • Baby poop chart
  • Ways to soothe a crying baby
  • Safe co-sleeping
  • Teething signs
  • Growth spurts
  • See all in Baby
  • Your toddler month by month
  • Toddler development milestones
  • Dealing with tantrums
  • Toddler meals
  • Food & fussy eating
  • When to start potty training
  • Moving from a cot to a bed
  • Help your child sleep through
  • Games & activities
  • Vomiting: what's normal?
  • See all in Toddler
  • Your child month by month
  • Food ideas & nutrition
  • How kids learn to share
  • Coping with aggression
  • Bedtime battles
  • Anxiety in children
  • Dealing with public tantrums
  • Great play ideas
  • Is your child ready for school?Top tips for starting school
  • See all in Preschooler
  • Postnatal symptoms to watch out for
  • Stitches after birth
  • Postpartum blood clots
  • Baby showers
  • Sex secrets for parents
  • See all in Life as a parent
  • Best baby products
  • Best formula and bottles for a windy baby
  • Best car seats if you need three to fit
  • Best nappies
  • Best Moses baskets
  • Best baby registries
  • Best baby sleeping bags
  • Best baby humidifier
  • Best baby monitors
  • Best baby bath seat
  • Best baby food
  • See all in Baby essentials
  • Back pain in pregnancy
  • Pelvic girdle pain
  • Perineal massage
  • Signs you're having a boy
  • Signs you're having a girl
  • Can you take fish oil while pregnant?
  • 18 weeks pregnant bump
  • Can you eat salami when pregnant?
  • Edwards' syndrome
  • Missed miscarriage
  • Should I harvest my colostrum?
  • Rhesus positive vs. Rhesus negative
  • What do contractions feel like?
  • Hunger in early pregnancy
  • First poop after birth
  • When do babies sit up?
  • When can babies have salt?
  • MMR vaccine rash
  • Vaping while breastfeeding
  • How to transition from formula to milk
  • When do babies start grabbing things?
  • Sperm allergy: can sperm cause itching?
  • How long after taking folic acid can I get pregnant?

Making the most of your midwife after birth

Clare Herbert

When will my midwife visit me after my baby's been born?

What tests and checks will my midwife carry out, what will happen at my first midwife appointment after my baby's birth, what information will my midwife give me, when will my midwife discharge me, what sort of questions can i ask my midwife, i'm struggling to cope with being a new parent. should i tell my midwife, feeding your baby, your baby’s health.

  • whether your baby's umbilical cord stump has fallen off, and how the area's healing
  • the number of wet and soiled nappies your baby’s having each day
  • the colour of your baby’s skin, in case of jaundice
  • that your baby’s eyes and mouth don't have any signs of infection
  • inside your baby’s mouth for signs of tongue-tie , if they are struggling to feed

Your physical health

  • signs of an infection, bleeding and vaginal discharge
  • leaking wee after giving birth (stress incontinence)
  • being unable to wee (urinary retention)
  • constipation after birth
  • sore nipples

Your mental health

  • eating healthily
  • staying active
  • your lifestyle, including how much alcohol you drink and whether you smoke or take illegal drugs
  • your contraceptive options
  • resuming your sex life
  • your baby’s immunisations
  • I'm breastfeeding, but I want my partner to feed our baby too. Can I express ? Try to wait until your baby's about eight weeks old before offering them a bottle. Putting them to the breast is the most effective way to establish breastfeeding. There's plenty of things your partner can do in the early days, such as changing their nappy or doing skin-to-skin .
  • Can I give my newborn a bath ? You can, but you don’t need to bath them every day. In the first week or so you may find it easier to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully instead. This is sometimes called topping and tailing.
  • My baby keeps crying. What can I do? Crying is your baby's main means of communication. As they can't talk, it's the only way they can let you know that they need something. It could be a feed, a nappy change, or just a cuddle. Watch our video for more on why your baby cries .
  • How do I get my baby into a routine ? The simple answer is that you can't yet. Until your baby's about three months old, you'll probably find that no two days and nights are the same.
  • My baby hasn’t had a poo today. Is there something wrong? Don’t worry, not all babies poo every day - or even every other day. It doesn’t mean there's anything wrong. Mention it to your midwife or health visitor at your next appointment.
  • I have passed a blood clot. What should I do? If the blood clot is bigger than a 50p coin then call your midwife for advice. Keep your pad if you were wearing one at the time. Your midwife will ask you lots of questions and may visit if they feel it's necessary.
  • I've had a c-section and I'm worried that my stitches are going to come undone. After a c-section you'll be able to see the continuous stitch that closes the skin. But underneath this, your muscle has also been stitched. So although it may feel strange, rest assured that your tummy won't suddenly open up. If you notice holes appearing along your wound, call your midwife for advice.
  • What exactly is the fourth trimester?
  • Life hacks for your baby's first three months
  • Six ways to beat new-parent stress
  • Find out How to create a safe sleep environment for your baby

Was this article helpful?

When can I give my baby a dummy?

Newborn sleeping with dummy in their mouth

21 breastfeeding outfits for autumn

mum holding a baby

A tale of two twin births; private and NHS

Katy after giving birth to her twins

Francesca Whiting is digital content executive at BabyCentre. She’s responsible for making sure BabyCentre’s health content is accurate, helpful and easy to understand.

Where to go next

Woman sitting down looking depressed

  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Digestive Health
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Healthy Aging
  • Health Insurance
  • Public Health
  • Patient Rights
  • Caregivers & Loved Ones
  • End of Life Concerns
  • Health News
  • Thyroid Test Analyzer
  • Doctor Discussion Guides
  • Hemoglobin A1c Test Analyzer
  • Lipid Test Analyzer
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) Analyzer
  • What to Buy
  • Editorial Process
  • Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Postpartum Care: A Guide to Taking Care of a Body That Just Delivered

  • First 24-Hours Instructions
  • Days and Weeks After Birth
  • Coping Through Changes
  • Postpartum Follow-Up
  • Resources and Support

The postpartum period, the time after giving birth, is a crucial time for recovery and the long-term health of the parent and baby. It's also a time of intense physical and emotional changes.

It is normal and expected to experience several physical symptoms like swelling, cramping, breast tenderness , constipation , and leaking milk. It is also common to experience emotional changes like feeling sad and overwhelmed.  

This article discusses postpartum care, what to expect, and how to care for yourself. 

Yoss Sabalet / Getty Images

Postpartum Care: Instructions for the First 24 Hours

The first 24 hours after birth can feel like a whirlwind. Your focus is both on healing physically and caring for your newborn. 

Physical symptoms you may experience in the first 24 hours include:

  • Perineum soreness : If you had a vaginal birth , the area between the vagina and the rectum may feel sore or painful. This is because of stretching or tearing during labor and delivery.  
  • C-section pain : If you had a surgical deliver known as a cesarean section (C-section), you may feel exhausted and pain around your incision. Rest is crucial. 
  • Afterbirth pains : After giving birth, your uterus will begin to shrink back to its original size, which may cause abdominal cramping.
  • Vaginal discharge : Vaginal bleeding after delivery is expected. However, call your provider if you have heavy, bright red bleeding or are passing golf ball–sized blood clots.
  • Breast engorgement : This occurs when the breasts fill with milk a few days after delivery.
  • Swelling : Pregnancy causes water retention in the body, especially the hands, feet, and face. It may also be a sign of preeclampsia and should be discussed with a medical provider.
  • Constipation : It may feel difficult to have a bowel movement after giving birth. 
  • Pain with urination : If you had vaginal tearing with birth, you may experience pain or burning with urination, leaking, and incontinence .
  • Fatigue : Your body will feel tired from the exertion of childbirth, blood loss, and a lack of sleep.  

It's common to feel overwhelmed and exhausted or down and sad. The "baby blues" are typical feelings that come after having a baby and are typical for up to two weeks.  

Postpartum Care in Days and Weeks After Birth

The days and weeks after giving birth can be emotional. You will likely not feel like yourself because of your physical recovery, changing hormone levels, and caring for a newborn. 

It is important to see your healthcare provider during the postpartum period. Your provider can help keep you and your newborn healthy.  

Healing From Birth 

Giving birth is physically exhausting and requires time to heal.  There are many symptoms you might feel during the postpartum period. Fortunately, there are ways to help relieve them.

Postpartum sleep can be challenging. You will likely feel tired in the weeks and months after giving birth. To help your body heal, focus on resting as much as possible. Sleep when your baby sleeps. Consider limiting visitors to help you catch up on rest. If some of your loved ones have offered to help you, ask them to take over household chores so you can use that time to rest.

Mental Health

It's common to feel sad, anxious , or irritable for up to two weeks after giving birth. When frequent feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, or anger last longer than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression .  

Postpartum depression affects about 1 in 8 people in the postpartum period. Symptoms may include:

  • Feeling angry, sad, hopeless, guilty, or worthless much of the time
  • Eating more or less than usual
  • Sleeping more or less than usual 
  • Crying frequently 
  • Losing interest in favorite activities 
  • Withdrawing from friends and family 
  • Having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby 

If you are concerned about your mood, talk with your healthcare provider right away. Fortunately, postpartum depression is treatable with therapy support groups, medication, and support. Other measures that may help include:

  • Rest as much as possible.
  • Ask for help.
  • Make time to see friends and family.
  • Share your experience with fellow parents or a support group.
  • Avoid making significant life changes.

Contraception

It may seem too soon to start thinking about future pregnancies, but it is important to have a contraception plan when you are postpartum. Most healthcare providers recommend abstaining from sex for about four to six weeks after giving birth. This is how long it usually takes to heal.

Once you are ready to have sex again, talk with your provider about a contraception plan. You may consider barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms or hormonal methods like pills , patches, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or shots.  

Coping Through Postpartum Changes 

The postpartum period brings countless changes. It may be helpful to make a plan for changes in this new chapter of life. 

Physical and Self-Esteem

The physical exertion of childbirth, lack of sleep, and other factors may make you uncomfortable. Focus on rest and recovery. Caring for a newborn requires a lot of time, but aim to eat, sleep, and shower daily. 

Plan to wear a sanitary pad in the days and weeks after birth due to vaginal bleeding. Drink plenty of water, and add healthy, fresh foods to your meals when possible.  

Talk with your healthcare provider about an exercise plan. There are several benefits to working out in the postpartum period, including increased energy, better sleep, stress relief, and stronger muscles. Start slow, taking 10-minute walks, and work up from there.  

Adjusting to Parenthood

Adjusting to life as a new parent (or a parent with another child) takes time. Try to focus on small things that help you feel like yourself. Sleep whenever you can, and spend time resting throughout the day. Talk to your partner, friends, or loved ones about how they can support you.

It's normal to not feel like yourself at first or to feel sad and overwhelmed in the postpartum period. If you find yourself feeling this way for more than two weeks, speak to your healthcare provider because you could be experiencing postpartum depression.  

Learning how to feed your newborn takes time and may be challenging. If you are using formula to feed your baby, discuss recommendations with your child’s pediatrician. 

If breastfeeding , seek support from a lactation consultant, midwife, or healthcare provider. They can help with any breastfeeding challenges or questions. It's important for people who breastfeed to drink water throughout the day and consume an extra 500 calories daily.  

When your milk first comes in, it may cause engorgement when the breasts fill with milk and feel full and tender. Frequent feedings, breast massage, and warm showers can help. See your healthcare provider if you develop a fever or chills while breastfeeding. Mastitis is a common infection in breastfeeding people and can be treated with antibiotics.  

Going Back to Work

Going back to work is an emotional experience after having a baby. If possible, start planning your return to work while pregnant. Talk with your employer about any accommodations you may need, like a flexible schedule or breaks to pump breast milk. 

It is also important to develop a childcare plan ahead of time. Decide if you will need to hire a babysitter or nanny or take your baby to a daycare in a home or facility.

As your return to work gets closer, practice for the big day. It may help to have a morning in which you get ready as if for work and think through any possible issues that could come up. If you are planning to continue breastfeeding after going back to work, practice with the breast pump ahead of time. 

When you return to work, remember it’s normal to feel different. You have undergone changes. Try to be patient with yourself and those around you. This is a big transition, and it will take time. 

Postpartum Follow-Up 

It is important to continue seeing your healthcare provider after giving birth. Healthcare providers recommend checking in within three weeks of giving birth and seeing them for a visit within 12 weeks. Most people see their providers about six weeks after giving birth. About 40% of people do not attend their postpartum visit.

During your follow-up visit, your provider will ask about your physical and emotional health. They will talk with you about your mood and any symptoms you are experiencing. Your provider will likely examine your incisions if you have them and will perform a pelvic exam to determine if you have healed from birth. Talk with your provider about any concerns you have. 

Resources and Support 

Everyone needs support during the postpartum period. If you have friends and family members offering to help, take them up on it. If you do not have people in your life to help you, there are still resources available. These resources include:

  • Postpartum: The Birth Injury Center , Centering Pregnancy/Parenting
  • Breastfeeding: La Leche League , American Academy of Family Physicians
  • Mental health: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (phone or text 988), National Domestic Violence Hotline , Live Another Day
  • Healthy food: Women Infant Children , Cooking Matters
  • Affordable housing: Volunteers of America , Catholic Charities  

If a loved one recently gave birth, you may wonder how best to support them. Ways to show support include:

  • Listening to their concerns
  • Learning the signs of postpartum depression
  • Providing rides to medical appointments 
  • Offering to help care for the baby
  • Assisting with daily chores

The postpartum period is an intense time of life. You will likely experience several changes, both physical and emotional. It is important to focus on your health and well-being in addition to your newborn. 

It is normal and expected to experience several physical symptoms like swelling, cramping, breast tenderness, constipation, and leaking milk. Emotional changes like feeling sad and overwhelmed are common, too. There are resources available to help you during the postpartum period.

MedlinePlus. Postpartum care .

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Optimizing postpartum care .

Adams YJ, Miller ML, Agbenyo JS, Ehla EE, Clinton GA. Postpartum care needs assessment: women's understanding of postpartum care, practices, barriers, and educational needs . BMC Pregnancy Childbirth . 2023;23(1):502. doi:10.1186/s12884-023-05813-0

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnant and postpartum women .

Paladine HL, Blenning CE, Strangas Y. Postpartum care: an approach to the fourth trimester . Am Fam Physician . 2019;100(8):485-491.

Nemours Kids Health. Recovering from delivery .

Reichner CA.  Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy .  Obstet Med . 2015 Dec;8(4):168-71. doi:10.1177/1753495X15600572

Office on Women’s Health. Postpartum depression .

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Postpartum birth control .

Office on Women’s Health. Recovering from birth .

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Exercise after pregnancy .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Partners, friends, and family of pregnant or postpartum women .

By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. She has practiced in a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health.

  • Getting Pregnant
  • Preschooler
  • Life as a parent
  • Birth Clubs
  • See all in Community
  • Ovulation calculator
  • Am I pregnant quiz
  • When to take a pregnancy test
  • Best sex positions
  • Top signs of pregnancy
  • How soon after your period can you get pregnant?
  • How age affects fertility
  • What do fertility treatments cost?
  • What fertile cervical mucus looks like
  • Can you choose your baby's sex?
  • How long will it take to conceive?
  • See all in Getting Pregnant
  • How big is my baby?
  • Due date calculator
  • Your baby's movements
  • Symptoms you should never ignore
  • Hospital bag checklist
  • How your baby's developing
  • Signs of labour
  • Sick leave in pregnancy
  • Baby gender predictor
  • Spotting and bleeding in pregnancy
  • Nuchal translucency (NT) scan
  • Fetal growth chart
  • See all in Pregnancy
  • Baby Name Generator
  • Baby name inspiration
  • Popular boys' names
  • Popular girls' names
  • Gender neutral names
  • Ojibwe names
  • See all in Baby Names
  • Your baby week by week
  • Baby milestones by month
  • Baby rash types
  • Baby poo: what's normal?
  • Ways to soothe a crying baby
  • Healthy sleep habits
  • Coughs in babies
  • Bathing your baby
  • See all in Baby
  • Your toddler month by month
  • Toddler development milestones
  • How much milk do toddlers need?
  • Toddler meal ideas
  • Best toddler car seats
  • Potty training
  • Moving from a cot to a bed
  • Help your child sleep through
  • Games & activities
  • Vomiting: what's normal?
  • See all in Toddler
  • Your child month by month
  • Food ideas & nutrition
  • How kids learn to share
  • Coping with aggression
  • How much sleep does your child need?
  • Signs your child loves you
  • How to stop kids biting nails
  • What to say instead of 'no'
  • How to avoid spoiling your child
  • See all in Preschooler
  • 16 symptômes à ne jamais ignorer pendant la grossesse
  • Les moyens naturels pour déclencher le travail
  • Symptômes à ne pas négliger après la naissance
  • Les selles de votre bébé : ce qui est normal et ce qui ne l’est pas
  • Rougeurs et problèmes de peau en images
  • La respiration de votre bébé la nuit : ce qui est normal et ce qui ne l’est pas
  • Instaurer de bonnes habitudes de sommeil : de 0 à 3 mois
  • Instaurer de bonnes habitudes de sommeil de 3 à 9 mois
  • Quelle quantité de lait mon bébé devrait-il boire ?
  • Les plus beaux prénoms unisexes
  • Voir tout dans Québec
  • Postnatal symptoms to watch out for
  • Pain and stitches after giving birth
  • Parental leave
  • How much do babies cost?
  • Sex secrets for parents
  • See all in Life as a parent
  • C-section hospital bag
  • Baby shower gifts
  • Car seat laws
  • Baby growth chart
  • Maternity leave
  • When to stop sterilizing bottles
  • Edibles and breastfeeding
  • Ear infections in babies
  • When to switch baby to whole milk
  • Do babies need passports?
  • How to dress baby in winter
  • When to tell work you're pregnant
  • When to stop diapers at night
  • Can you eat tuna while pregnant?
  • How much formula do babies need?
  • Dating ultrasound
  • Best breast pump
  • Chinese gender calendar
  • Swimming with your baby
  • Indian baby names
  • Fever in babies
  • Molluscum contagiosum

Making the most of your midwife after birth

Clare Herbert

When will my midwife visit me at home after my baby's been born?

What will happen at my first midwife appointment after my baby's birth, how do i know who to call: my midwife or my doctor, what sort of questions can i ask my midwife, i'm struggling to cope with being a new parent. should i tell my midwife.

  • whether your baby's umbilical cord stump has fallen off, and how the area's healing
  • the number of wet and soiled diapers your baby’s having each day
  • the colour of your baby’s skin, in case of jaundice
  • that your baby’s eyes and mouth don't have any signs of infection
  • I'm breastfeeding, but I want my partner to feed our baby too. Can I express ? Putting your baby to the breast is the most effective way to establish breastfeeding. There's plenty of things your partner can do in the early days, such as changing his diaper or spending quality time skin-to-skin .
  • Can I give my newborn a bath ? You can, although your midwife may recommend waiting until his umbilical cord stump has fallen off around seven days to ten days after birth. Also, your baby was born covered in a layer of a white creamy substance called vernix caseosa. Leaving this to come off naturally can protect his skin from drying out.
  • My newborn’s hands and feet are always cold. Is this normal? Yes, it's normal for his hands and feet to look slightly blue and feel cold. You should place a hand on the front of your baby's chest to judge his core body temperature.
  • How do I get my baby into a routine ? The simple answer is that you can't yet. It's normal for a newborn to feed regularly, and often more frequently at night. Until your baby's about three months old, you'll probably find that no two days and nights are the same.
  • My baby hasn’t had a poo today. Is there something wrong? Don’t worry, not all babies poo every day - or even every other day. It doesn’t mean there's anything wrong. Mention it to your midwife or doctor at your next appointment.
  • I have passed a blood clot. What should I do? If the blood clot is bigger than a loonie then call your midwife for advice. Keep your pad if you were wearing one at the time. Your midwife will ask you lots of questions and may visit if she feels it's necessary.
  • I've had a c-section and I'm worried that my stitches are going to come undone. After a c-section you'll be able to see the continuous stitch that closes the skin. But underneath this, your muscle has also been stitched. So although it may feel strange, rest assured that your belly won't suddenly open up. If you notice holes appearing along your wound, call your midwife for advice.

Was this article helpful?

Your baby and the fourth trimester

A mom holding her newborn baby close to her face and smiling.

12 new mom essentials for the fourth trimester: photos

Woman shopping for a nursing bra.

Average child weight and size by age

Baby lying on floor, smiling

Womb to world: helping your newborn adapt to life outside the womb (photos)

A newborn baby being held in an adult's hands.

BabyCenter’s talented team of editors and writers has decades of experience creating inspiring content.

Where to go next

A young mom and dad doting on their baby.

  • Profile & Preferences
  • My Documents

Our other sites

Postpartum: first 6 weeks after childbirth.

Top of the page

What is postpartum?

The days and weeks after your baby is born are called the postpartum period. After childbirth, your body will start to heal and go through many changes as it recovers. Some of these changes happen over several weeks. So rest whenever you can, ask for help from friends and family, and eat well.

What happens to your body during this time?

Your body may feel sore and very tired for several weeks. You may continue to have contractions, called afterpains, as the uterus returns to the size it was before your pregnancy. You will also have some vaginal bleeding. Breast engorgement is common between the third and fourth days after delivery.

How does postpartum affect your emotions?

It's common to feel a range of emotions at this time. Your focus may change. You may feel that you don't have the time or energy for other things or people. You may also feel sad. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you feel sad for more than a few weeks.

What should you know about newborn care?

During your baby's first few weeks, you will spend most of your time feeding, diapering, and comforting your baby. You may feel overwhelmed at times. It is normal to wonder if you know what you are doing, especially if you are first-time parents. Newborn care gets easier with every day. Soon you will know what each cry means and be able to figure out what your baby needs and wants.

  • Health Tools

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

  • Nutrition While Breastfeeding
  • Common Physical Problems After Childbirth

You may have problems that last for a while after childbirth. Common problems include:

  • Constipation and hemorrhoids. These problems often start during pregnancy and continue after delivery.
  • Soreness in the vagina and the perineum . You may have discomfort or pain if this area was torn or cut ( episiotomy ) during delivery. It may take several weeks to recover from a perineal tear or episiotomy.
  • Breast engorgement. This means your breasts are painfully overfull with milk. It's common between the third and fourth days after delivery, when the breasts start to fill with milk. Your breasts may become firm and swollen, which may make it hard for your baby to breastfeed.
  • Pelvic bone problems. During pregnancy the extra weight from your growing baby puts more strain on your pelvic bones and joints. This can cause pain and discomfort. After childbirth the pain usually improves over several months.

Many postpartum problems can be managed with home treatment. If your doctor gave you specific instructions, be sure to follow those instructions.

  • After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
  • After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
  • Breast Engorgement
  • Breastfeeding
  • Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
  • Problems After Delivery of Your Baby

first midwife visit after birth

  • Taking Care of Your Body

Care after a vaginal birth

You may need some time after a vaginal delivery to return to your normal activities. It's important to focus on healing and taking care of your body.

  • Do not use tampons until your doctor says it's okay.
  • Do not douche.
  • Bleeding may last for 4 to 6 weeks, but you should have a lot less bleeding after 2 weeks.

Read and follow all instructions on the label. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

  • Do not take aspirin, because it can cause more bleeding.
  • Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
  • Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
  • Use witch hazel or hemorrhoid pads (such as Tucks) to reduce soreness.
  • Try sitting in a few inches of warm water ( sitz bath ) 3 times a day and after bowel movements.
  • Clean yourself with a gentle squeeze of warm water from a bottle instead of wiping with toilet paper. Pat the area dry with a soft cloth.

Ask your doctor about over-the-counter stool softeners and fiber supplements.

Healing usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Your doctor can tell you when it's okay to have sex.

If you take a long car trip, make frequent stops to walk around and stretch.

Care after a C-section

It can take 4 weeks or more for a cesarean (C-section) incision to heal. It's important to take care of yourself while you're healing.

Getting enough sleep will help you recover.

Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia, constipation, and blood clots.

This includes bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, and aerobic exercise.

Avoid these exercises for 6 weeks or until your doctor says it's okay.

  • Don't lift anything heavier than your baby until your doctor says it's okay.

This will support your belly and decrease pain.

You can shower as usual. Pat the incision dry when you're done.

Ask your doctor about over-the-counter stool softeners or fiber supplements.

  • Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Postpartum Bleeding
  • Coping With Emotions

It's common to feel a range of emotions at this time. You may feel excited about your new baby. But it's also common to feel tired and stressed.

Expect changes in your relationship

If you have a partner and this is your first baby, your focus may shift from being a couple to being parents. That's a common change. But it can take some time to adjust. You and your partner may not have as much time or energy for each other for a while. But you also will get to know each other in new ways, as parents.

It's common to have little interest in sex for a while after childbirth. While your body is recovering and your baby has many needs, you and your partner will need to be patient with one another. You will have more energy when you get used to having a new baby and are healed, more rested, and settled in a routine.

Watch out for depression

"Baby blues" are common for the first 1 to 2 weeks after birth. You may lose sleep, feel irritable, cry easily, and feel happy one minute and sad the next. Hormone changes are one cause of these emotional changes. The "baby blues" usually peak around the fourth day and then ease up in less than 2 weeks. It may help to talk to a trusted friend or family member about how you are feeling. You can also call the Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for support.

Talk to your doctor or midwife if your symptoms last for more than a few weeks or if you feel very depressed. You may have postpartum depression. It can be treated. Support groups and counseling can help. Sometimes medicine can help too.

  • After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting at Home With Your Baby
  • Postpartum Depression

first midwife visit after birth

  • Postpartum Checkup

In the first couple of weeks after you give birth, your doctor or midwife may want to check in with you and make a plan for any follow-up care you may need. You will likely have a complete postpartum visit in the first 3 months after delivery. At that time, your doctor or midwife will check on your recovery from childbirth. You will also be asked about your mood and checked for signs of postpartum depression .

You may have a pelvic exam to make sure that you are healing well. If you had a C-section, your doctor will check your cut (incision).

Your doctor or midwife may talk with you about birth control and find out how you're doing with feeding your baby.

Keep a list of questions to ask your doctor or midwife. Your questions might be about:

  • Changes in your breasts, such as soreness.
  • When to expect your menstrual period to start again.
  • What form of birth control may be right for you.
  • What foods and drinks are best for you, especially if you are breastfeeding.
  • What types of exercise would be good for you.
  • When you can have vaginal sex.
  • When it's safe to get pregnant again.
  • Getting Rest and Support

It's easy to get too tired and overwhelmed during the first weeks after childbirth. Be sure to rest whenever you can, and accept help from others.

Stay flexible so you can eat at odd hours and sleep when you need to.

  • Ask another adult to be with you for a few days after delivery if you can.

People may want to come see the baby right away, just when you're at your most tired. It's okay to limit visitors to as few as you feel you can handle or to ask them not to visit for a while. It's also okay to set a limit on how long they stay.

Remind yourself that your job is to care for yourself and your baby.

  • Try to plan for child care if you have other children.

Change can make you feel less tired. For example:

  • Go for walks with your baby.
  • Find an exercise class for you and your baby.
  • Getting the Nutrition You Need

Good nutrition is important to help you keep your energy and stay a weight that is healthy for you.

Your body needs protein, carbohydrates, and fats for energy.

A high-fiber diet can help prevent constipation. Include foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals, raw vegetables, raw and dried fruits, and beans.

If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.

Don't skip meals or go for long periods without eating.

Alcohol can cause a lack of energy and other health problems for your baby if you drink too much while breastfeeding. Having no alcohol is the safest choice for your baby. If you choose to have a drink now and then, have only one drink. And limit the number of occasions that you have a drink. Wait to breastfeed at least 2 hours after you have a drink to reduce the amount of alcohol the baby may get in the milk.

  • Healthy Eating
  • Birth Control After Childbirth

Birth control is any method used to prevent pregnancy. If you have vaginal sex without birth control, you could get pregnant—even if you haven't started having periods again. You're less likely to get pregnant while breastfeeding, but it's still possible. Finding birth control that works for you can help avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

  • Birth Control
  • Breastfeeding as Birth Control
  • Newborn Basics

You may feel prepared for your baby. But the reality of the constant care a newborn needs can shock many parents. A newborn affects your life in ways that you simply can't expect. Only through experience can you fully understand the impact of these new responsibilities and how your roles will change. Many parents shift between feeling confident and ecstatic one minute, and drained, scared, and unsure the next.

When you realize that your baby is physically completely dependent on you, you may worry whether you are giving your baby the best care. Common concerns in this first month include:

Basic care of your baby's umbilical cord is keeping it clean and dry. To keep the cord dry, give your baby a sponge bath instead of bathing your baby in a tub or sink. Keep your baby's diaper folded below the stump. If that doesn't work well, before you put the diaper on your baby, cut out a small area near the top of the diaper to keep the cord open to air. The stump usually falls off within a couple of weeks.

In the first few days after birth, your baby may sleep a lot and only be awake to eat or have a diaper change. Your baby will become gradually more alert throughout the month. By the end of the first month, your baby will likely start to form sleeping and eating patterns. In general, your baby will likely have periods where they're awake for 2 or 3 hours straight. Around 3 months of age, the patterns will become more predictable.

Newborns sleep a lot. But they also wake up a lot for brief periods and need feeding, diapering, and attention. Nights of long, restorative sleep can seem a foggy memory to parents. This may be especially true for those who start with a deficit after the physical exertion of and recovery from giving birth. Be sure to ask for help when you need it. Ask a family member, friend, or neighbor to help you with daily tasks, such as laundry, cleaning, or making meals. This can help you to nap instead of doing chores while your baby sleeps.

This is especially a common concern among breastfeeding parents. As long as your baby feeds regularly (every 1 to 3 hours in the first few weeks, then every 2 to 4 hours over the next few weeks), your baby should be fine. Sometimes you may need to wake a sleepy baby to eat. It's good to check your baby's diaper for signs that your baby is getting enough breast milk. For example, your baby may have about 3 wet diapers a day for the first few days. After that, expect 6 or more wet diapers a day throughout the first month of life. During well-child checkups, the doctor will track your baby's weight gain and growth.

The urine should be yellow. Don't be alarmed, though, if you notice a pink color to the urine during your newborn's first 3 days of life. It's common for newborns to pass crystals in the urine (highly concentrated urine) which makes the urine look pink. If the pink color lasts, or if at any time your baby seems to be in pain while urinating, call your doctor.

Many babies get jaundice (also called hyperbilirubinemia) in their first few days of life. Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and the whites of a baby's eyes appear yellow because of a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow-brown substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice should be monitored by your baby's doctor. But it most often doesn't need medical treatment. Usually, increasing the number of feedings helps reduce jaundice. Phototherapy, in which a baby is placed under special lights or fiber-optic blankets, may be used if bilirubin levels are too high. Keep your baby's well-child appointments with your doctor, and call anytime if you're concerned about jaundice or your baby's skin.

In general, use mild shampoo or soap when you bathe your baby. Avoid lotions and other skin care products unless your doctor tells you to use them. Newborns have sensitive skin, and healthy newborn skin doesn't need skin care products applied.

Right after birth, especially after lengthy vaginal deliveries, your baby's head may look misshapen. This is normal, and your baby's head will most likely take on a more normal shape within a few days to weeks after delivery. In rare instances, a misshapen head can be a sign of an abnormal condition, such as craniosynostosis (say "kray-nee-oh-sih-noss-TOH-sus"). After your baby is born and during your baby's well-child checkups, your doctor will track your baby's head shape and skull growth. If you're concerned that your newborn's head hasn't gone back to a normal shape within several weeks, talk with your doctor.

It's common to question your feelings for your baby. A bond doesn't always happen the moment you set eyes on your child. But you will develop stronger feelings and love for your baby every day. For some parents, it takes time to build this bond, especially when the baby's physical demands take a great deal of time and energy. Talk to your doctor if you don't feel that you are bonding with your baby in the first week or two.

Also keep in mind:

  • Your baby will soon be able to engage with you. But in this first month, your baby may seem to be in a semi-conscious state. Sleeping and eating are a newborn's main activities. Your baby will gradually emerge from this groggy state. And you can rest assured that your loving care will be rewarded with interaction very soon.
  • Gradually within the first month, your newborn will start to look more "baby-like." Many parents don't like to admit it, even to themselves. But they may feel disappointed that their baby isn't as cute as they had hoped. If you feel this way, don't despair. Labor and delivery takes its toll on your baby's appearance. Your baby may have an odd-shaped head, swollen or squinty eyes, blotchy skin, and a flattened nose in the first few weeks. Soon, these irregularities will fade away. Your baby will start to have more normal-looking features.
  • Your baby may have a birthmark that you notice at birth or during the first month. Most birthmarks need no treatment. They often fade as a child grows older. But sometimes a birthmark needs treatment or close monitoring. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

You will go through some major adjustments to this new little person in your life. But your baby's first month is also a period of amazing growth and change. Treasure these first weeks as you slowly introduce your baby to the world.

  • Breastfeeding: Waking Your Baby
  • Growth and Development, Newborn
  • Jaundice in Newborns (Hyperbilirubinemia)
  • Newborn Rashes and Skin Conditions
  • Quick Tips: Getting Baby to Sleep
  • Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough to Eat
  • Umbilical Cord Care

first midwife visit after birth

  • When to Call a Doctor

Share this information with your partner, family, or a friend. They can help you watch for warning signs.

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You have thoughts of harming yourself, your baby, or another person.
  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
  • You have a seizure.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

  • Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 .
  • Call 1-800-273-TALK ( 1-800-273-8255 ).
  • Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding. This means that you are soaking through one or more pads in an hour. Or you pass blood clots bigger than an egg.
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
  • Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.
  • New or worse belly pain.
  • Frequent or painful urination or blood in your urine.
  • Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
  • Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
  • Swelling in the leg or groin.
  • A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin color.
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
  • New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).
  • A severe headache.
  • New or increased shortness of breath.
  • New or worse swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
  • Sudden weight gain, such as more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week.
  • New or worse back pain.
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness at the injection site.
  • Tingling, weakness, or numbness in your legs or groin.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your vaginal bleeding isn't decreasing.
  • You feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
  • You are having problems with your breasts or breastfeeding.

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Next Section:

Previous Section:

Author: Healthwise Staff

Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Topic Contents

first midwife visit after birth

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Learn how we develop our content .

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org .

© 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.

Switching to {{aocRegion}}

Want to stay signed on?

We are unable to switch you to this area of care

We’re getting your information

  • Hands-free Electric
  • Freestyle™ Hands-free double electric wearable breast pump
  • Solo™ Hands-free single electric breast pump
  • Classic Electric
  • Swing Maxi™ double electric breast pump
  • Solo™ single electric breast pump
  • Swing Flex™ Two-phase electric breast pump
  • Harmony™ manual breast pump
  • Silicone breast milk collector
  • Symphony - No 1 Hospital Pump
  • Symphony® breast pump
  • Reusable Pump Sets for Hospital Use
  • Symphony® PLUS program card for Symphony® breast pump
  • Symphony® hospital disposable pump sets​
  • Symphony® hospital reusable pump sets​
  • Symphony® home use pump sets
  • PersonalFit™ PLUS breast shield
  • Maternity & Pumping Bra
  • Pumping garments
  • Hands-free™ Pumping Bustier
  • 3in1 Nursing and Pumping Bra
  • Maternity & nursing bras
  • Keep Cool™ Bra
  • Keep Cool™ Sleep Bra
  • Keep Cool™ Ultra Bra
  • Bottles & Bags
  • Hospital-only products
  • Disposable bottles and Colostrum container
  • Conventional Hospital Teats
  • Reusable bottles
  • Breast milk storage bottles
  • Breast milk storage bags
  • Calma™ Feeding System
  • Quick Clean™ Microwave bags
  • Breast Care
  • Breast massage oil
  • Organic nipple cream
  • Purelan™ lanolin cream
  • Hydrogel pads
  • Breast shells
  • Milk Collection Shells
  • Contact™ Nipple Shields
  • Nipple formers
  • Safe & Dry™ disposable nursing pads
  • Safe & Dry™ Ultra-thin disposable nursing pads
  • Special Feeding Needs
  • SpecialNeeds Feeder
  • Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)
  • FingerFeeder
  • Calesca Warming and Thawing Device
  • Pregnancy & Preparation
  • Power of Breastmilk
  • Breastfeeding Challenges
  • Breastfeeding Tips
  • Pumping Tips
  • Medela Family
  • Medela Family App
  • Symphony Hub
  • Rent a pump

Lactation Professionals

  • Lactation Insights
  • Breastfeeding
  • Benefits of breast milk
  • Special Needs
  • Research & Literature
  • Professional Education
  • Commitment to Breastfeeding
  • Marketing guidelines
  • Beginnings – Journal
  • Shop Finder

first midwife visit after birth

Breast changes from pregnancy to weaning

first midwife visit after birth

The 4th week of pregnancy

first midwife visit after birth

Six breastfeeding essentials for your maternity bag

first midwife visit after birth

What happens to my breasts during pregnancy

first midwife visit after birth

Breast milk vs formula: How similar are they?

first midwife visit after birth

The benefits of breastfeeding

first midwife visit after birth

Breast milk composition: What’s in your breast milk?

first midwife visit after birth

Why is colostrum so important?

first midwife visit after birth

Breastfeeding with flat, inverted or pierced nipples

first midwife visit after birth

Too little breast milk? How to increase low milk supply

first midwife visit after birth

Six breastfeeding problems in the first week – solved

first midwife visit after birth

Nipple care for breastfeeding mums

first midwife visit after birth

5 tips for breastfeeding in public

first midwife visit after birth

Breast milk production: How supply and demand works

first midwife visit after birth

6 simple steps to a good breastfeeding latch

first midwife visit after birth

6 months and beyond: Long-term benefits of breastfeeding

first midwife visit after birth

How to choose a breast pump

first midwife visit after birth

Cleaning your breast pump equipment

first midwife visit after birth

Tips and instructions for hands-free pumping

first midwife visit after birth

Double pumping: More milk in less time

first midwife visit after birth

Feeding your premature baby breast milk

first midwife visit after birth

What is the Medela SpecialNeeds Feeder?

first midwife visit after birth

Feeding a special needs baby

first midwife visit after birth

Dedicated articles and whitepapers specifically for professionals working in the breastfeeding field

first midwife visit after birth

My NHS care after birth

After you have your baby, your midwifery team will want to make sure you are recovering from the birth, and that your baby is healthy and feeding well.

When thinking about postnatal care, bear in mind that day one is the day after your baby’s date of birth, day two is the day after that and so on.

Postnatal appointments

You will have at least three appointments with a midwife after the birth. Ideally this will be with your named midwife or a familiar member of the team. This is not always possible, because it is important for you to be seen at certain specific points and your midwife may not be working that day. Your named midwife will make sure to see you where it is possible.

A basic postnatal check will be carried out for both you and your baby each time you see a midwife from the birth until you are discharged from maternity care. Most women will be discharged after a week and a half to two weeks. Some women and babies will be supported by midwives a little longer, up to one month after birth.

At each postnatal check, you will be asked questions about yourself and your baby. All the questions are important ways of picking up any problems. Don’t be surprised to be talking about all sorts of body fluids!

First visit after the birth

You will be seen by a midwife face to face at home the day after having your baby, or the first full day that you are home, if you have been cared for in hospital or birth centre for one or more nights. If there are any concerns, a plan will be made to see you or speak to you within the next day or two depending on what is needed.

Click here for the contact numbers to your midwifery team

Extra support if needed in the first days

Additional support with feeding your baby may be provided by a midwife or a maternity support worker. You may be offered a phone call to check in with how things are going. There may be other reasons that additional visits in the first days are recommended. This might be for yourself or your baby.

The hormonal changes women undergo in the first few days are enormous, and it is quite normal to feel low perhaps for several days. This is known as the baby blues . Contact your midwife for extra support if you or your partner are not sure what is normal baby blues and what is a more serious mental health concern.

Day five visit

You will have a visit or appointment on day five. Scheduling for this visit is important to offer you postnatal blood screening for your baby. This newborn blood spot test, also known as the heel prick test, is explained below. Day five is the ideal day for these. Any earlier and the tests are less reliable. If it’s later this provides less time to put the right care in place for babies with certain rare conditions before problems develop. 

5 day visit.jpg

On the day five visit, your midwife will ask to weigh your baby (without clothes or nappy). You will already have been asked about your baby’s wees and poos. This is how to make sure your baby is feeding effectively. The weight provides another important check.

It is normal for babies to lose weight for two or three days after the birth, before weight gain starts. When babies are first weighed, they have some extra fluid in their system from being in the womb. Just as mothers will pee more often in the days after the birth to get rid of extra fluid, so will babies.

If your baby has lost more than ten percent of the birth weight on day five, a careful feeding plan or further health checks for your baby will be recommended. There may be other signs that feeding is not going well, for example if your baby has a yellow tinge to their skin or eyes known as jaundice.

NHS.uk information about newborn jaundice (yellow colouring)

How to know your baby is getting enough milk

Discharge from maternity service

Between 10 and 28 days after the birth, you will be discharged from the midwifery team. This may be your third postnatal appointment, or your may have had more. At this point, the midwife will check your baby is well and back to birth weight or will be soon. Your midwife will check that you are well and on track with your recovery from the birth.

Your care passes to the Health Visiting Team , who will support your family and your baby up until your baby is 5 years old. Your GP will also play an important role, carrying out a 6–8-week postnatal check for you and your baby, and being on hand for general health concerns.

Your baby’s cord stump will normally have dropped off by now, allowing you to see your baby’s belly button!

first midwife visit after birth

Postnatal health checks

first midwife visit after birth

Body Changes after Birth

Give feedback on this page.

Please do not leave any personal details on this form. If you require a response, please go to our contact us page . 

Accessibility tools

  • Increase text size
  • Decrease text size
  • Reset text size
  • Black and white
  • Blue contrast
  • Beige contrast
  • High contrast
  • Reset contrast

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

  • Pregnancy week by week

Prenatal care: 1st trimester visits

Pregnancy and prenatal care go hand in hand. During the first trimester, prenatal care includes blood tests, a physical exam, conversations about lifestyle and more.

Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Whether you choose a family physician, obstetrician, midwife or group prenatal care, here's what to expect during the first few prenatal appointments.

The 1st visit

When you find out you're pregnant, make your first prenatal appointment. Set aside time for the first visit to go over your medical history and talk about any risk factors for pregnancy problems that you may have.

Medical history

Your health care provider might ask about:

  • Your menstrual cycle, gynecological history and any past pregnancies
  • Your personal and family medical history
  • Exposure to anything that could be toxic
  • Medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins or supplements
  • Your lifestyle, including your use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and recreational drugs
  • Travel to areas where malaria, tuberculosis, Zika virus, mpox — also called monkeypox — or other infectious diseases are common

Share information about sensitive issues, such as domestic abuse or past drug use, too. This will help your health care provider take the best care of you — and your baby.

Your due date is not a prediction of when you will have your baby. It's simply the date that you will be 40 weeks pregnant. Few people give birth on their due dates. Still, establishing your due date — or estimated date of delivery — is important. It allows your health care provider to monitor your baby's growth and the progress of your pregnancy. Your due date also helps with scheduling tests and procedures, so they are done at the right time.

To estimate your due date, your health care provider will use the date your last period started, add seven days and count back three months. The due date will be about 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. Your health care provider can use a fetal ultrasound to help confirm the date. Typically, if the due date calculated with your last period and the due date calculated with an early ultrasound differ by more than seven days, the ultrasound is used to set the due date.

Physical exam

To find out how much weight you need to gain for a healthy pregnancy, your health care provider will measure your weight and height and calculate your body mass index.

Your health care provider might do a physical exam, including a breast exam and a pelvic exam. You might need a Pap test, depending on how long it's been since your last Pap test. Depending on your situation, you may need exams of your heart, lungs and thyroid.

At your first prenatal visit, blood tests might be done to:

  • Check your blood type. This includes your Rh status. Rh factor is an inherited trait that refers to a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. Your pregnancy might need special care if you're Rh negative and your baby's father is Rh positive.
  • Measure your hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein found in red blood cells that allows the cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to other parts of your body. Hemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide from other parts of your body to your lungs so that it can be exhaled. Low hemoglobin or a low level of red blood cells is a sign of anemia. Anemia can make you feel very tired, and it may affect your pregnancy.
  • Check immunity to certain infections. This typically includes rubella and chickenpox (varicella) — unless proof of vaccination or natural immunity is documented in your medical history.
  • Detect exposure to other infections. Your health care provider will suggest blood tests to detect infections such as hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV , the virus that causes AIDS . A urine sample might also be tested for signs of a bladder or urinary tract infection.

Tests for fetal concerns

Prenatal tests can provide valuable information about your baby's health. Your health care provider will typically offer a variety of prenatal genetic screening tests. They may include ultrasound or blood tests to check for certain fetal genetic problems, such as Down syndrome.

Lifestyle issues

Your health care provider might discuss the importance of nutrition and prenatal vitamins. Ask about exercise, sex, dental care, vaccinations and travel during pregnancy, as well as other lifestyle issues. You might also talk about your work environment and the use of medications during pregnancy. If you smoke, ask your health care provider for suggestions to help you quit.

Discomforts of pregnancy

You might notice changes in your body early in your pregnancy. Your breasts might be tender and swollen. Nausea with or without vomiting (morning sickness) is also common. Talk to your health care provider if your morning sickness is severe.

Other 1st trimester visits

Your next prenatal visits — often scheduled about every four weeks during the first trimester — might be shorter than the first. Near the end of the first trimester — by about 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy — you might be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a small device, called a Doppler, that bounces sound waves off your baby's heart. Your health care provider may offer a first trimester ultrasound, too.

Your prenatal appointments are an ideal time to discuss questions you have. During your first visit, find out how to reach your health care team between appointments in case concerns come up. Knowing help is available can offer peace of mind.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

Error Email field is required

Error Include a valid email address

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thank you for subscribing!

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes

  • Lockwood CJ, et al. Prenatal care: Initial assessment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • Prenatal care and tests. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/prenatal-care-and-tests. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • Cunningham FG, et al., eds. Prenatal care. In: Williams Obstetrics. 25th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://www.accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • Lockwood CJ, et al. Prenatal care: Second and third trimesters. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal_perinatal_health/anc-positive-pregnancy-experience/en/. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • Bastian LA, et al. Clinical manifestations and early diagnosis of pregnancy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018.

Products and Services

  • A Book: Obstetricks
  • A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
  • 1st trimester pregnancy
  • Can birth control pills cause birth defects?
  • Fetal development: The 1st trimester
  • Implantation bleeding
  • Nausea during pregnancy
  • Pregnancy due date calculator

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

  • Opportunities

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press .

  • Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence
  • The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book
  • Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance
  • FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment
  • Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Prenatal care 1st trimester visits

Let’s celebrate our doctors!

Join us in celebrating and honoring Mayo Clinic physicians on March 30th for National Doctor’s Day.

Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436. It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000 If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

Share via email

There is a total of 5 error s on this form, details are below.

  • Please enter your name
  • Please enter your email
  • Your email is invalid. Please check and try again
  • Please enter recipient's email
  • Recipient's email is invalid. Please check and try again
  • Agree to Terms required

Error: This is required

Error: Not a valid value

Your first antenatal visit

7-minute read

  • Antenatal visits check the wellbeing of you and your baby during pregnancy.
  • During your first visit, your doctor or midwife will check your health.
  • They will also work out when your baby is due to be born.
  • During your visit you will learn how to keep healthy during your pregnancy.
  • Regular antenatal care is likely to positively affect the health of you and your baby.

Antenatal visits check the wellbeing of you and your baby during pregnancy. Antenatal care throughout your pregnancy is likely to positively affect the health of you and your baby.

Your first antenatal care appointment is an important one. During your visit, your doctor or midwife will:

  • confirm your pregnancy
  • check your health
  • give you some information that you will need in the months ahead

You will also be able to talk about the type of care you want during your pregnancy.

When should I make my first appointment?

It’s best to have your first antenatal visit before 10 weeks into your pregnancy. Ideally this will happen when you are about 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. This is because there are lots of things to learn about. Also, some tests are recommended early in your pregnancy.

Your first appointment may be with a midwife or your doctor. It may be at a clinic or hospital — you can choose.

What does an antenatal visit involve?

Taking your medical history.

During the visit, your doctor or midwife will ask about your health. This includes finding out about:

  • any prior pregnancies
  • any illnesses or operations you’ve had
  • what medicines you’re taking, including those from a pharmacy or supermarket
  • if you have any current health problems
  • if you are allergic to any medicines

Your doctor or midwife will ask you if you:

  • drink alcohol
  • take recreational drugs
  • are stressed
  • have any signs of depression or anxiety
  • about the support you may get from people at home and work

These questions aren’t to judge you. The more your doctor or midwife knows about you, the better they can support you during your pregnancy.

It’s up to you whether you answer these questions. Anything you say will be kept in confidence.

If you are experiencing family violence you should let them know. It’s important to get professional help and they can support you to do this.

Your family medical history

Finding out about the health of your family is also important because it may affect you or your baby. This includes any family history of:

  • genetic conditions
  • chronic illnesses such as diabetes

You may wish to do screening tests for certain genetic conditions . You can talk about this with your doctor or midwife.

What tests will I have?

Your doctor or midwife will check your health and measure your:

  • blood pressure

They may suggest a urine (wee) test to see if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or any kidney problems.

You will also be offered a blood test to check your blood group and rhesus factor. They will also check for:

  • infectious diseases — rubella
  • sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • bacteria that may affect your baby — group B streptococcus
  • infections that can be passed on through blood-to-blood contact — hepatitis C and HIV

Some STIs that can affect your pregnancy don’t have any symptoms. It’s possible to have an STI and not know.

Find out more about the check-ups, tests and scans you can have during your antenatal visits.

If you have any questions about these tests, ask your midwife or doctor.

Finding out about your baby

Your doctor or midwife will work out how many weeks you have been pregnant. This will let them work out the due date of your baby.

If you’re not sure when your last period was, they may book a dating scan . This is an ultrasound that will help figure out which week of pregnancy you are in.

Tests are available to check for some problems that may affect your baby. You don’t have to have these tests — it’s up to you. Your midwife or doctor will tell you about the tests and how much they will cost.

Discussing your antenatal care options

During your first appointment, your midwife or doctor will give you information about antenatal care. They will talk with you about which model of care you would like for your pregnancy and birth. You'll be able to discuss:

  • who will be your main maternity carer
  • where you would like to receive your antenatal care
  • how many antenatal visits you will have and when
  • where you would like to give birth
  • where to find local antenatal classes or education sessions

How can I have a healthy pregnancy?

Your midwife or doctor will talk to you about keeping healthy during your pregnancy. They will also ensure you have good support and care.

This may cover:

  • help to stop smoking or stop drinking alcohol (if needed)
  • advice about healthy eating , exercise and weight gain
  • advice on which vitamins and minerals you should take during pregnancy
  • referrals to support services if you need them

They will answer questions about any issues that worry or concern you.

If this is your first pregnancy, The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines advise you have 10 antenatal care visits. If there are complications with your pregnancy, you may need to have more visits.

If you’ve been pregnant before, The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines advise you have 7 antenatal care visits. Again, if you have any complications with your pregnancy, you may need more visits.

first midwife visit after birth

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call . Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content .

Last reviewed: November 2022

Related pages

  • Questions to ask your doctor about tests and scans

Checkups, tests and scans available during your pregnancy

  • Antenatal classes

Antenatal care during your pregnancy

Search our site for.

  • Antenatal Care

Need more information?

Top results

You receive antenatal care from your GP, midwife or obstetrician. You’ll be offered tests and scans and your health and your baby’s will be checked.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Pregnancy, Birth & Baby

Antenatal Care during Pregnancy

Once you are pregnant, your first antenatal appointment will ideally take place when you are about 6 to 8 weeks pregnant.

Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website

RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Antenatal care includes several checkups, tests and scans, some of which are offered to women as a normal part of antenatal care in Australia.

Preconception & Early Pregnancy

There are many different types of antenatal care and birth options in Australia.

Read more on Rahma Health website

Rahma Health

Birthing services in Central Australia | NT.GOV.AU

Antenatal care, midwife services, labour and birth, lactation consultant, childbirth education and support for Central Australia.

Read more on NT Health website

NT Health

What does your GP do in pregnancy care?

Your doctor, or GP, is likely to be the first health professional you see when you’re pregnant. Read more about how GPs help with your antenatal care.

Pregnancy at week 7

Your baby is now about 1cm long and if you haven’t seen your doctor yet, now is a good time to start your antenatal care.

Being pregnant after 40

Being pregnant is an exciting time. But when you’re over the age of 40, there are a few extra things you need to think about.

Checkups, scans and tests during pregnancy

Handy infographic that shows what you can expect at each antenatal appointment during your pregnancy.

Pregnancy and birth care options - Better Health Channel

Pregnant women in Victoria can choose who will care for them during their pregnancy, where they would like to give birth and how they would like to deliver their baby.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Better Health Channel

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

1800 882 436

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

© 2024 Healthdirect Australia Limited

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.

Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site

  • Internet Explorer 11 and lower

We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:

  • Chrome by Google
  • Firefox by Mozilla
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Safari by Apple

You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.

Your first midwife appointment

As soon as you find out you are pregnant, contact a GP or midwife and they will help you book your first appointment.

Your first midwife appointment (also called the booking appointment) should happen before you're 10 weeks pregnant. This is because you'll be offered some tests that should be done before 10 weeks.

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant and have not seen a GP or midwife, contact a GP or midwife as soon as possible.

You'll still have your first midwife appointment and start your NHS pregnancy journey.

Where the first appointment happens

Your first appointment may take place in:

  • a GP surgery
  • a Children's Centre

Where the appointment happens depends on the pregnancy services in your area.

How long the appointment lasts

The appointment usually takes around an hour.

What your midwife may ask

Your midwife will ask some questions to help find out what care you need.

They may ask about:

  • where you live and who you live with
  • the baby's father
  • any other pregnancies or children
  • smoking, alcohol and drug use
  • your physical and mental health, and any issues or treatment you've had
  • any health issues in your family
  • domestic abuse
  • female genital mutilation (FGM)
  • your job, if you have one
  • whether you have people around to help and support you, for example a partner or family members

The first appointment is a chance to tell your midwife if you need help or are worried about anything that might affect your pregnancy. This could include domestic abuse or violence, sexual abuse, or female genital mutilation (FGM) .

FGM can cause problems during labour and birth. It's important you tell your midwife or doctor if this has happened to you.

Tests at your first appointment

Your midwife will ask if they can:

  • measure your height and weight, and work out your body mass index (BMI)
  • measure your blood pressure and test your urine for signs of pre-eclampsia
  • take blood tests to check your general health and blood group, and to see if you have HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B

They'll also offer you a blood test for sickle cell and thalassaemia (blood disorders that can be passed on to the baby) if they think there's a high chance you might have them. They'll work out your chance by asking some questions.

Things your midwife may discuss with you

Your midwife may give you information about:

  • how the baby develops during pregnancy
  • a healthy pregnancy diet and foods to avoid in pregnancy
  • pregnancy exercise and pelvic floor exercises
  • your NHS pregnancy (antenatal) care
  • breastfeeding
  • antenatal classes
  • benefits you can get when you're pregnant, such as free prescriptions and free dental care
  • your options for where to have your baby
  • the tests and scans you'll be offered in pregnancy

Ask questions if you want to know more or do not understand something.

Your maternity notes

At the end of the first appointment, your midwife will give you your maternity notes. The notes may be digital in an app or website or written down in a book or folder.

These notes are a record of your health, appointments and test results in pregnancy. They also have useful phone numbers, for example your maternity unit or midwife team.

You should have these notes with you all the time until you have your baby. This is so healthcare staff can read about your pregnancy health if you need urgent medical care.

Page last reviewed: 22 September 2022 Next review due: 22 September 2025

  • NICE Guidance
  • Conditions and diseases
  • Fertility, pregnancy and childbirth

Postnatal care

NICE guideline [NG194] Published: 20 April 2021

  • Tools and resources
  • Information for the public
  • Recommendations

Recommendations for research

  • Rationale and impact
  • Finding more information and committee details
  • Update information

1 Length of postpartum stay and first midwife visit after transfer of care

2 timing of first health visitor visit.

  • 3 Clinical tools to assess women's health

4 Perineal pain

5 breastfeeding support for parents with twins or triplets.

The guideline committee has made the following key recommendations for research.

How does the length of postpartum stay and the timing of the first midwife visit after transfer of care affect unplanned or emergency health contacts for women and babies?

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on timing of transfer to community care .

Full details of the recommendation for research are in evidence review A: length of postpartum stay .

See also the rationale section on first midwife visit after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a home birth .

Full details of the recommendation for research are in evidence review C: timing of first postnatal contact by midwife .

What is the most effective timing of the first postnatal contact by a health visitor?

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on first health visitor visit .

Full details of the recommendation for research are in evidence review D: timing of first postnatal contact by health visitor .

3 Clinical tools to assess women's health

What tools for the clinical review of women (including pain scores) are effective during the first 8 weeks after birth?

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on assessment and care of the woman .

Full details of the recommendation for research are in evidence review H: tools for the clinical review of women .

What characteristics of perineal pain suggest the need for further evaluation?

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on perineal health .

Full details of the recommendation for research are in evidence review J: perineal pain .

What support with breastfeeding do parents of twins or triplets find helpful?

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on supporting women to breastfeed .

Full details of the recommendation for research are in evidence review S: breastfeeding information and support .

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Midwife to hang up scrubs after more than 50 years delivering babies at Lyell McEwin Hospital

Two women in hospital with a baby.

Linda Campbell has loved her work delivering babies so much that it has taken more than 50 years for her to retire.

The 73-year-old ventured into midwifery in 1971 while training as a nurse at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Adelaide's northern suburbs.

Ms Campbell has been at the site ever since and has delivered generations into the world.

"When you've been here as long as me, you've birthed your babies' babies, which is very special," she said.

"I live locally too, so I meet a lot of the women that I've cared for out and about."

A woman in scrubs at a hospital.

That ongoing connection is important to Ms Campbell.

"Women remember their midwives," she said.

"Women outside … come up to me and say, 'Remember me? You birthed my baby who's now 39,' and it's lovely.

"There was a woman I met last week. I'd been at her birth 40-odd years ago and now she was going to be the grandmother. So that was three generations."

Now just days before her 74th birthday, Ms Campbell is hanging up her scrubs.

Birth notices and thank-you letters mounted on the maternity ward walls mark the thousands of babies Ms Campbell has helped bring into the world.

"Every birth is different, and every birth is special," she said.

"I'll be sad to leave. As you can see I'm well past retirement age, but I've really enjoyed it."

The entrance to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

With more than half a century of experience, Ms Campbell has served as a nurse unit manager and a mentor.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas with Adelaide midwife Linda Campbell.

"I think it's something to say about the unit that most of our midwives have birthed their babies in this unit," she said.

"They trust you to look after them when they're birthing."

Lyn Bastian, who has worked with Ms Campbell for 13 years, described her colleague as "caring" and "compassionate", and as a "dynamo" who is "so dedicated to midwifery, midwifery services [and] maternity care for the women and families of the north".

"When I started here in my role, I had no idea what I was doing but she just took me under her wing," Ms Bastian said.

"We all need mentors."

'They trust you to look after them'

Asked whether she could see herself being in the profession for the same amount of time, Ms Bastian expressed scepticism.

A midwife in scrubs.

"I don't think so. I'd love to but I doubt [it]," she chuckled.

"To work 57 years full-time, up until [Thursday] is pretty incredible. It's just amazing."

Ms Campbell has seen her community, and its needs, grow.

"When I first started, the Lyell McEwin was a community hospital. It was very small," she said.

"It's grown massively over the years. The need is great, especially in the north in our demographic area.

"We're the second busiest [maternity ward] in the state following Women's and Children's."

Adelaide nurse Linda Campbell holding a baby.

Thursday will mark Ms Campbell's last shift, and if all goes to plan she will be delivering a baby as a send-off.

"I've helped train a lot of midwives," she said.

"I'm their mother, their grandmother, and anything else in between.

"If I had a time machine, I'd do it all again."

  • X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

At 70, neysa is embracing the start of her 'retirement career'.

A grey haired woman standing in a hospital hallway smiles.

Critical shortage of midwives forces closure of Whyalla Hospital birthing services

A hospital building with car park out the front

An extra 15,000 nurses and midwives needed in South Australia by 2025, union says

A woman wearing a mask looking at the camera.

  • Doctors and Medical Professionals
  • Elizabeth Vale
  • Healthcare Facilities
  • Human Interest
  • Pregnancy and Childbirth
  • Skip to main content
  • Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

IDF fires artillery shells into Gaza as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues on Oct. 12, 2023.

Middle East crisis — explained

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians — and other groups in the Middle East — goes back decades. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.

'Struggle, struggle, struggle.' What new and expecting mothers are facing in Gaza

Elissa

Elissa Nadworny

first midwife visit after birth

A baby is looked after at the neonatal unit at Kamal Adhwan hospital in Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip, where children are born with complications due to malnourished mothers. Omar El Qattaa for NPR hide caption

A baby is looked after at the neonatal unit at Kamal Adhwan hospital in Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip, where children are born with complications due to malnourished mothers.

TEL AVIV, Israel — In Rafah, baby Manal has just woken up from a nap. "Have you made a poo-poo?" asks her mother, Likaa Saleh, 24, as she opens a flimsy diaper that was hard to find and is several sizes too small.

The 5-month-old begins to cry. The skin on her tush and legs has rashes and is peeling where the tight material of the diaper rubs — a skin irritation that won't go away. "No, no, no," Saleh soothes her. "I'll put some cream on you now and all the pain will go away. You're a good girl."

It's hardly the life Saleh imagined for her second child when she learned she was pregnant last year. Baby Manal is one of an estimated 20,000 children who have been born in Gaza since Israel began its bombardment of the enclave in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis, women who are pregnant or have recently given birth are confronting impossible conditions as they grapple with how to care for their newborns. In place of celebrations and nursery rhymes, they face airstrikes and ground fighting. Instead of bottles and baby food, they're fighting disease and a growing lack of food and water.

"I can't teach her to eat or feed her because there's no food, no vegetables, and there's not enough milk for her," Saleh says. "I can't sleep at night because all I'm doing is thinking and I'm heartbroken."

Saleh and her family used to live in an affluent area of Gaza City, a home with all the supplies she'd need to welcome her baby, who was due in late October. Instead, Manal's arrival by C-section came under air attacks a month after the war in Gaza began.

The circumstances of the birth was one of "the worst moments of my life," Saleh says. And each day since then over the past five months has gotten harder and harder. Now, sheltering in Rafah, a city with more than a million displaced Palestinians , she has trouble finding milk, food, diapers and baby clothes that fit.

first midwife visit after birth

A pregnant Palestinian woman (center) displaced from northern Gaza stands in a warehouse in Rafah, where she is taking shelter, on Feb. 29. About 5,000 women in Gaza are expected to give birth in the next month. AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A pregnant Palestinian woman (center) displaced from northern Gaza stands in a warehouse in Rafah, where she is taking shelter, on Feb. 29. About 5,000 women in Gaza are expected to give birth in the next month.

"Those who pay the highest price in war are mothers and kids," says Hiba Tibi, a country director for CARE, an aid organization that helps women and children in Gaza. "They are becoming less and less hopeful. They are giving up."

The United Nations estimates that in Rafah, where Saleh and baby Manal are living, a tenth of children under age 2 are suffering from the most severe malnutrition. But as you move farther north and farther away from the trickle of aid coming into Rafah, conditions worsen.

In northern Gaza, where Saleh is originally from, a third of children under 2 are experiencing a life-threatening lack of food, and an international committee of experts warns that famine is now "imminent." Gaza health officials say at least 23 children have died from malnutrition. CARE's partners in the north of Gaza report that women in shelters are burying their newborns who have died.

There's already 'catastrophic' hunger in Gaza. Who decides when to call it a 'famine?'

Goats and Soda

There's already 'catastrophic' hunger in gaza. who decides when to call it a 'famine'.

"They see in almost all the shelters, babies that are born and dying before even getting registered," says Tibi. "So they are not even counted in life."

She can't shake what one new mother told her recently. "She told me, 'I wish I never gave birth. I wish I didn't have this kid come to life.'"

"No electricity, no clean water"

In addition to women like Saleh who have given birth since the war, many more are still pregnant, suffering from malnutrition, infection and dehydration, and without access to medical care. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, there are nearly 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with about 5,000 women expected to give birth in the next month.

first midwife visit after birth

A nurse tends to a baby at Kamal Adhwan hospital in Beit Lahia, Gaza. Omar El Qattaa for NPR hide caption

A nurse tends to a baby at Kamal Adhwan hospital in Beit Lahia, Gaza.

Only about a third of the territory's hospitals are still partially functioning, since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel. The Israeli military's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 32,400 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

The war has seen several hospitals come under attack. In recent days, the Israeli military has conducted raids at Al-Shifa hospital , the largest in Gaza, as part of an operation that it says is designed to "thwart terrorist activity" at Al-Shifa. Equipment and supplies have been damaged, healthcare workers arrested and most hospital functioning has stopped, according to health officials in Gaza.

These are the circumstances that have driven pregnant women all across the enclave to find treatment at a health clinic in Deir al Balah, in central Gaza. Run by the U.S.-based aid organization Project Hope, the clinic sees up to 60 pregnant women a day. Nearly a quarter are malnourished, according to staff at the clinic.

"It's really bad and it's becoming worse and worse every day," says Maram Badwan, the lead physician at the clinic, who is also displaced from her home. "Most of the children and women [we treat] stay in tents and with no electricity, no clean water." In addition to malnutrition and dehydration, she and her staff see many cases of hepatitis A, anemia, lice and scabies.

first midwife visit after birth

Project HOPE's team in Gaza provides medical care at a short-term medical clinic in a school housing displaced families in Rafah on Feb. 9. Motaz Al Aaraj for Project HOPE hide caption

Project HOPE's team in Gaza provides medical care at a short-term medical clinic in a school housing displaced families in Rafah on Feb. 9.

The clinic has a limited supply of medicine and prenatal vitamins that it offers its patients, and it also gives free ultrasounds. Women come from all over Gaza. For many, it's the first doctor's visit in their pregnancy.

The risk of disease surrounds new and expecting mothers

That's the case for Rhonda Abd Al-Razeq, a pregnant 26-year-old who is living at a shelter in Deir al Balah. She fled her home in the northernmost area of Gaza, where she and her husband farmed mulberries, onions and potatoes. Over the last several months, they've stayed at different shelters, leaving after each one came under fire from Israeli airstrikes, she says. At her current shelter, 60 people are sleeping in the same room.

Abd Al-Razeq isn't sure how far along she is. Asked what defines her life right now, she responds, "Struggle, struggle, struggle."

People in Gaza are starving to death. 5 things to know about efforts to feed them

People in Gaza are starving to death. 5 things to know about efforts to feed them

She caught hepatitis A, along with several members of her family, many of whom have fungal infections. "If there was cleanliness, would I have gotten hepatitis?" she asks, exasperated. "The water we drink is itself dirty. How would we not get a disease?"

In her visit with Badwan, Abd Al-Razeq learned she was also malnourished and hypertensive, and yet the ultrasound showed her baby's heartbeat was strong.

She also learned the baby's sex: a boy, a welcome joy at a time when she's constantly worried about where and how she'll give birth.

Giving birth in an overcrowded shelter

There aren't many safe places for Abd Al-Razeq and other pregnant women to give birth in Gaza. If they can't make it safely to the few remaining hospital beds, they're likely to have their deliveries in crowded shelters.

Arvind Das, who recently led a team of medics from the International Rescue Committee into Gaza, said that all across the enclave he witnessed women giving birth in overcrowded shelters, some with as many as 80,000 people crammed inside. .

first midwife visit after birth

Palestinian women and infants receive medical care at a clinic in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 29. AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Palestinian women and infants receive medical care at a clinic in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 29.

"There is no privacy. There is no dignity," he said, holding back tears. "You have literally 1.5 meters of space, and that's where pregnant women are meant to deliver the children."

CARE is one of several aid organizations training women to be midwives to help other women in the shelters give birth.

Sherehan Abdel Hadi, who gave birth to her son Sanad at the end of December, says delivering is just the beginning of many more challenges.

"My son needs milk," she says. "I am not having any healthy food."

While pregnant, Abdel Hadi and her family fled on foot from Gaza City. They're now living at an uncle's house in Deir El Balah.

"There are continuous bombardment and airstrikes," she says. "We are afraid all the time."

The noise from Israeli planes and drones makes it hard for Sanad to sleep, she says. So does their crowded living situation: Abdel Hadi, the new baby and her three older children are staying with relatives, a large extended family crammed in together, sleeping three on a mattress.

"Sanad is crying all of the time, no stop," she says. "I struggle with the hot water to bathe him, and his diapers are too big and leak a lot, so he needs to change clothes, but I don't have enough clothes."

Without access to hot water, and with the crowding at home, she's worried that baby Sanad will get sick.

first midwife visit after birth

Rua al-Sindavi, 24, expects to give birth in a tent due to insufficient medical facilities, and she had to migrate to Rafah in southern Gaza because of Israeli attacks. Pregnant with triplets, Sindavi is one of many women who suffer from malnutrition due to food shortages in the city. Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

Rua al-Sindavi, 24, expects to give birth in a tent due to insufficient medical facilities, and she had to migrate to Rafah in southern Gaza because of Israeli attacks. Pregnant with triplets, Sindavi is one of many women who suffer from malnutrition due to food shortages in the city.

Back In Rafah, Likaa Saleh is trying to get young Manal to eat something. She's boiled potatoes because she doesn't have money to purchase anything else. With some coaxing, she gets her baby to stop crying and take a soft potato. She feels a moment of relief as Manal stops crying and eats — a momentary respite from her near-constant worry about her daughter's future and the world she's brought her into.

Abu Bakr Bashir contributed from London.

IMAGES

  1. Certified Nurse Midwife Job Description

    first midwife visit after birth

  2. 29 Gorgeous Photos That Give Midwives The Credit They Deserve

    first midwife visit after birth

  3. How Your Midwife Continues to Help After the Birth

    first midwife visit after birth

  4. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Career Centre

    first midwife visit after birth

  5. PREGNANCY UPDATE

    first midwife visit after birth

  6. Midwife and Life

    first midwife visit after birth

COMMENTS

  1. Making the most of your midwife after birth

    Find out how you can make the most of your midwife in the first weeks after giving birth. ... Your midwife will visit within 36 hours of coming home from hospital or after a home birth. Most new mums have about three appointments with their midwife or a maternity support worker after the birth. These will either be home visits or will take ...

  2. Postpartum Care: After Birth Instructions to Follow

    The postpartum period, the time after giving birth, is a crucial time for recovery and the long-term health of the parent and baby. It's also a time of intense physical and emotional changes. It is normal and expected to experience several physical symptoms like swelling, cramping, breast tenderness, constipation, and leaking milk.

  3. Making the most of your midwife after birth

    Your midwife will perform tests on appropriate days and will monitor your baby's weight, length, heart, lungs, hearing, overall physical development, and the healing of her umbilical stump. If you had a caesarean section (c-section), you may need your stitches removed. Your midwife will probably do this about five days after your baby's been ...

  4. Guideline Postnatal care

    7 First midwife visit after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a 8 home birth 9 1.1.3 Arrange the first postnatal visit by a midwife to take place between 12 and 10 36 hours after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a home birth. 11 The visit should usually be at the woman's home, depending on her

  5. Recommendations

    1.1.14 Ensure that the first postnatal visit by a midwife takes place within 36 hours after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a home birth. The visit should be face-to-face and usually at the woman's home, depending on her circumstances and preferences.

  6. Postnatal care

    First midwife visit after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a home birth 1.1.14. ... The first 2 weeks after birth may be overwhelming for some families, with several visits from both the midwifery team and health visitors. Having the first postnatal health visitor visit 1 to 2 weeks after transfer of care from midwifery care ...

  7. Postnatal Care: What Happens After the Birth?

    There is no set number of visits you will have from your midwife. They will visit you for as long as they think you need their support. However, you will usually have a minimum of 3 visits in the first couple of weeks. Your child's health record. Shortly before or after your baby is born, you'll be given a personal child health record.

  8. Early days

    A children's doctor (paediatrician), midwife or newborn (neonatal) nurse will check your baby is well and will offer him or her a newborn physical examination within 72 hours of birth. In the early days, the midwife will check your baby for signs of: jaundice. infection of the umbilical cord or eyes. thrush in the mouth.

  9. Timing of first postnatal contact by midwife

    Comparison 1: First postnatal contact by midwife 6-48 hours versus 49-72 hours after birth. Critical outcomes. Maternal mortality within 1 year after the birth. No evidence was identified for this outcome. Maternal morbidity within 8 weeks after the birth. No evidence was identified for this outcome. Neonatal morbidity within 8 weeks after the ...

  10. PDF Postnatal care overview

    First midwife visit after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a home birth . Ensure that the first postnatal visit by a midwife takes place within 36 hours after transfer of care from the place of birth or after a home birth. The visit should be face-to-face and usually at the woman's home, depending on her circumstances and ...

  11. Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth

    In the first couple of weeks after you give birth, your doctor or midwife may want to check in with you and make a plan for any follow-up care you may need. You will likely have a complete postpartum visit in the first 3 months after delivery. At that time, your doctor or midwife will check on your recovery from childbirth.

  12. PDF Postnatal Care for Mothers and Newborns

    The days and weeks following childbirth—the postnatal period—are a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur in the first month after birth: almost half of postnatal maternal deaths occur within the first 24 hours,1 and 66% occur during the first week.2 In 2013, 2.8 million newborns ...

  13. Support After Birth

    After birth your midwife can continue to assist you with breastfeeding and help you in the early days as you and your baby settle into your own rhythm with nursing. Your midwife can also track how you and your baby are doing with nursing during post-birth check-ups and help you make changes if needed. As you begin breastfeeding, your midwife is ...

  14. WHO urges quality care for women and newborns in critical first weeks

    The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its first ever global guidelines to support women and newborns in the postnatal period - the first six weeks after birth. This is a critical time for ensuring newborn and maternal survival and for supporting healthy development of the baby as well as the mother's overall mental and physical recovery and wellbeing.Worldwide, more than 3 in ...

  15. What to expect from your midwife in the first four weeks after birth

    Before discharge from hospital and at each home visit you can expect your midwife to -. Checking blood loss vaginally - lochia - this is often red in the first few days after birth and you may change your pad frequently over the next week. The loss will change to brown and reduce in less volume to spotting- chat to your midwife ...

  16. My NHS care after birth :: Kent and Medway

    Between 10 and 28 days after the birth, you will be discharged from the midwifery team. This may be your third postnatal appointment, or your may have had more. At this point, the midwife will check your baby is well and back to birth weight or will be soon. Your midwife will check that you are well and on track with your recovery from the birth.

  17. Postnatal care

    1 Length of postpartum stay and first midwife visit after transfer of care. 1 Length of postpartum stay and first midwife visit after transfer of care. 2 Timing of first health visitor visit. 2 Timing of first health visitor visit. 3 Clinical tools to assess women's health. 3 Clinical tools to assess women's health. 4 Perineal pain. 4 Perineal pain

  18. Your body after the birth (the first 6 weeks)

    Bleeding. You'll bleed from your vagina after giving birth vaginally or by c-section, which will be quite heavy at first. This will carry on for a few weeks and will gradually turn a brownish colour and decrease until it finally stops. Use maternity pads for the first 6 weeks after birth.

  19. Rationale and impact

    The first 2 weeks after birth may be overwhelming for some families, with several visits from both the midwifery team and health visitors. Having the first postnatal health visitor visit 1 to 2 weeks after transfer of care from midwifery care will mean that the visits are more evenly spread out.

  20. Prenatal care: 1st trimester visits

    Pregnancy and prenatal care go hand in hand. During the first trimester, prenatal care includes blood tests, a physical exam, conversations about lifestyle and more. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Whether you choose a family physician, obstetrician, midwife or group prenatal care, here's what to ...

  21. Your first antenatal visit

    Key facts. Antenatal visits check the wellbeing of you and your baby during pregnancy. During your first visit, your doctor or midwife will check your health. They will also work out when your baby is due to be born. During your visit you will learn how to keep healthy during your pregnancy. Regular antenatal care is likely to positively affect ...

  22. Your first midwife appointment

    Your first appointment may take place in: your home; a hospital; a GP surgery; a Children's Centre; Where the appointment happens depends on the pregnancy services in your area. How long the appointment lasts. The appointment usually takes around an hour. What your midwife may ask. Your midwife will ask some questions to help find out what care ...

  23. Recommendations for research

    1 Length of postpartum stay and first midwife visit after transfer of care. 2 Timing of first health visitor visit. 3 Clinical tools to assess women's health. 4 Perineal pain. 5 Breastfeeding support for parents with twins or triplets. The guideline committee has made the following key recommendations for research.

  24. Midwife to hang up scrubs after more than 50 years delivering babies at

    Linda Campbell has loved her work delivering babies so much that it has taken more than 50 years for her to retire. The 73-year-old ventured into midwifery in 1971 while training as a nurse at the ...

  25. In Gaza, new and expecting mothers face a perilous path to care for

    According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, there are nearly 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with about 5,000 women expected to give birth in the next month. Enlarge this image. A nurse tends to a ...