Going home with your baby (EN) Going home with your baby (EN)

What you will receive before going home

• Written information (transfer form) regarding the care you and your baby received in the hospital. Give this information to your midwife or maternity support worker at home. This will enable them to continue taking good care of you and your baby. A checkup appointment at the outpatient clinic in 5 to 7 weeks (the nurse will check "no" or "yes" in consultation with you):

o No

o Yes. The outpatient clinic will schedule an appointment; in some cases, the checkup can be conducted over the phone. The appointment details will be sent to your home by post or to your email address if you have authorised that.

• An appointment for your baby at the paediatric outpatient clinic, if necessary.
• Proof of the blood spot test, if performed in the hospital.
• A prescription for medication. You can collect prescribed medication at the Isala pharmacy or at your own pharmacy.

What you need to arrange after your baby is born

Registration of birth

Your child must be registered within three days of being born. You can register the birth online or by appointment at the Municipal Office in Zwolle.

Health Insurance

Register your baby with your health insurance company.

Blood spot test

The blood spot test is performed when your baby is at least five days old. When you register the birth, the Municipal Health Service (GGD) will be notified automatically. The GGD nurse will visit you at home to conduct the blood spot test.

Medical emergencies

Contact your midwife if:

• you experience excessive vaginal bleeding: more than one maternity pad filled within half an hour
• you develop a fever of 38.5 degrees or higher, measured rectally (via the anus)
• you are unable to urinate properly
• your baby develops a temperature lower than 36.5 degrees or higher than 37.5 degrees
• you are worried about your baby or yourself
• If your midwife is unavailable,call the hospital midwife at 088 624 81 61.
• You can find information about your recovery and caring for your baby in our online leaflets.

Blood pressure medication

Advice for new mothers upon discharge

Hygiene

You are extra susceptible to infections right after giving birth. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after each care session.

Bleeding

There is a wound at the site of the placenta inside your uterus. This may cause bleeding, which can result in large clots (the size of a fist) on the first day.

Please note

Urination

• Make sure to urinate regularly. Do this before every feeding of your baby. If your bladder is full, your uterus cannot contract properly.
• Make sure to empty your bladder fully. This may be easier in the shower. Rinse your vagina with water during and after urination, using a cup or in the shower, for example.
• Continue the rinsing routine until you stop losing vaginal blood.
• Change your maternity pad every time you use the bathroom.

Postpartum cramping

Postpartum cramping helps your uterus contract and reduce bleeding. It is normal to experience postpartum cramping while breastfeeding.

Sutures

Your skin may be blue and swollen around the sutures. You can wet and freeze menstrual pads to use to cool the area (cool pack).

Pain

• You can take up to 4 doses of 1,000 mg of paracetamol every 24 hours for pain relief.
• Paracetamol is safe to use while breastfeeding.

Cesarean section

If you gave birth via cesarean section:

• Avoid heavy lifting for the first six weeks after giving birth (no more than 5 kg).
• If there is any discharge or blood from the wound, rinse it in the shower. Pat the area dry and apply a dry gauze over the wound.
• Coughing and laughing may be painful, but the wound/stitches is strong enough to withstand that. If necessary, support the wound with your hand or gently press a folded towel against it.
• The sutures may cause a ‘pulling’ sensation on the side of the scar. You may also experience numbness around the scar for quite a long time.
• We advise against getting pregnant again within a year, due to the scarring in your uterus.
• The reason for the cesarean section determines whether a future birth will require a cesarean section again. After having had a cesarean section, you have a medical indication (reason) to give birth in the hospital next time in any case. If you become pregnant again, you will meet with the gynaecologist to discuss your options.
• There are no restrictions on driving and cycling after an epidural. Avoid these activities immediately after giving birth, however, as your ability to react and concentrate will be reduced. We do not recommend driving for the first three weeks after receiving general anaesthesia. Some insurance policies will deny claims for traffic accidents within six weeks of a cesarean section. Check with your car or health insurance company.
• After a cesarean section, you may take the same amount of paracetamol as for pain after a vaginal delivery. See the heading ‘Pain’ above. In addition to that, you can also take up to 3 doses of 400 mg of ibuprofen every 24 hours. Ibuprofen is safe to use while breastfeeding.
• Recovery after a cesarean delivery takes longer than after vaginal delivery. Many women suffer from fatigue, for example. Get help and take as much rest as possible for the first 6 weeks.
• Starting 6 weeks after your cesarean, you may resume abdominal exercises.
• It often takes 6 to 12 months for the feeling in your abdominal wall to return to normal.

Thrombosis

If you have had a cesarean, you have a higher risk of thrombosis (blood clots in your blood). Your doctor or nurse will inform you whether you need to take Fraxiparin, which is a blood thinner. You will receive a written explanation from the nurse on how to inject yourself with Fraxiparin for 6 weeks. Fraxiparin is covered by your health insurance.

Caring for your baby

After birth, your baby needs a few important things: food, warmth, safety and security. This applies to every baby. To build a good bond with your baby, it is important to meet these needs. You can read more about this in the leaflet 'Basisbehoeften van je baby' (Your Baby’s Basic Needs.)

Diet

• Pay attention to signals from your baby that indicate when they are hungry, such as smacking or licking their lips or sucking on their hand.
• Breast or bottle feed when your baby wants it. In the beginning, try not to wait more than 3 to 4 hours between feedings.
• Breastfeeding should not be painful.

Wash your hands

Changing

• Change your baby's diaper before or between feedings.
• Babies often have their first poo within 48 hours of birth. This is called meconium and is often black.
• Babies often have their first pee within 24 hours of birth.
• The maternity support worker will inform you of the right number of pee and poo diapers. Never leave your baby alone on the changing pad. Stay with them at all times!
• Your baby's navel does not need specific care. Call your midwife if you notice bleeding from the navel.

Temperature

• Take your baby's temperature rectally every 3 hours for the first 24 hours.
• After that, take your baby's temperature twice a day until the 10th day.
• A baby's normal temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees.
• The baby's room should be between 15 and 18 degrees.
• Call your midwife if you are worried about your baby.

Posture in bed

• Lay your baby on their back in bed after each feeding.
• Make sure to alternate their head position from left to right each time you lay them in the crib.
• Do not place the blanket higher than the collarbone.
• When you get home, place two hot water bottles under the blankets in the crib to pre-warm it.
• If your baby is in the crib, place the hot water bottles on top of the blankets, never under the blankets.

Contact

If you have any questions, please call your midwife. If your midwife is unavailable, please call:

Zwolle

Obstetrics
088 624 81 61 (available 24/7)