Going home while your baby is still in hospital (EN) Going home while your baby is still in hospital (EN)

When you are notified that you can go home, call the

If you will be arriving home at night

What you will receive before going home

• Written information (transfer form) regarding the care you 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• If your baby is in the NICU or Neonatology department, the blood spot test will be done there.

Medical emergencies

Contact your midwife if:

• you experience excessive vaginal bleeding: more than 1 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
• you are worried about 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 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

• Urinate regularly: approximately every 3 to 4 hours. 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 or expressing.

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.

Contact

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

Obstetrics

088 624 81 61 (available 24/7)