midwife visit after birth uk

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Making the most of your midwife after birth

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

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Parents’ tips: mums’ guide to the fourth trimester

Bleeding after birth (lochia)

9 things you need to know about midwife appointments

How to make the most of your midwife appointments

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

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. 

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!

Postnatal health checks

Body Changes after Birth

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After your birth (postnatal care)

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Visiting North Mid this weekend (3-4 May 2024)

From 10pm on Friday 3 May until late afternoon on Saturday 4 May, the main visitors car park on Bull Lane will be closed. Car parking spaces are available via the entrance on Bridport Road for visitors use only.

About care after your birth

The postnatal period can be defined as the first 6-8 weeks after birth. Your body will go through some changes but it is important to know when these are not normal.

If everything is well with you and your baby and depending on the type of birth you’ve had, you will normally be discharged home between 6-24 hours after birth to the care of the community midwifery team, who will continue to support you in your own home.

The first community postnatal visit will be done by a midwife in your home who will discuss and agree with you further visits. You will be given information of who to contact in the event you have any questions or if there is an emergency involving you or your baby.

Call your GP, Midwife or Health Visitor if you are experiencing any of the following:

• A high temperature over 38ºC, sore and tender tummy
• the bleeding smells unusual for you
• lumps (clots) in the blood
• pain between the vagina and anus (perineum) that gets worse
• Pain, swelling or redness in the calf muscle of one leg
• Pain in your chest, difficulty breathing
• Headache, changes in your vision, vomiting

Call 999 if you get sudden or very heavy blood loss from your vagina and you start feeling faint, dizzy and have a rapid heartbeat.

If you have any questions which are not answered here, please ask your midwife for further information.

Infant feeding

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby, it is the only food designed to meet all baby’s needs, both nutritionally and emotionally. We encourage women to breastfeed their babies and aim to support you to achieve this. 

North Middlesex hospital is committed to promoting breastfeeding has achieved level 3 Unicef Baby Friendly status. Find more information from the   Unicef Baby Friendly  web pages, and about breastfeeding in general.

Supporting close and loving relationships

Babies need warm and loving relationships with their primary carers to develop their brains and emotions. Babies need to be kept close and thrive when carers respond to their cues for food, love and comfort. This is essential for babies’ health, wellbeing and brain development. It can also help new parents to also cope with the changes in their lifestyles during the postnatal period.

Infant Feeding Team support

Email: [email protected]

Breastfeeding drop-in support groups

Haringey Council Public Health commission The Breastfeeding Network charity to provide free, non-judgemental, evidence-based baby feeding information to all Haringey families. We will support you in your feeding choices. 

Please visit our website for more information on the free face-to-face, email, phone and virtual support that we offer:  https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/project/haringey/  

Contact: [email protected]  

Wednesday 13:00-15:00

Dugdale Arts Centre Café, 39 London Rd

Enfield, EN2 6DS

Out of hours support

• National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 (9.30am- 9.30pm)
• La Leche Helpline 0345 120 2918 (8am-11pm)

Latching the baby

C – Close Baby should face the breast and be as close as possible to gain a deep latch

H – Head free Supporting the baby around the neck and shoulders rather than by the head will allow them to tilt their head back and open wide to take in your breast tissue

I – In line Have you tried swallowing with your head twisted over your shoulder? You will soon get tired. Babies also need to have their head in line with their bodies to help them swallow.

N – Nose to nipple T he chin should lead and the mouth should be wide open when the baby latches with the nipple pointing up toward the baby’s nose so that when you latch it reaches far back into the baby’s mouth.

S – Sustainably Will you be able to sit in this position for a whole feed? Do you have water nearby? Reference: acronym developed by Dr Lynette Shotton, Northumbria University

How do I know if my baby is latching on properly?

• They take a large mouthful of breast tissue and you can see more of the darker area of your breast (areola) at the top of the baby’s mouth.
• Baby should have rounded cheeks
• the chin should be the first thing to touch the breast and should indent the breast and massage the tissue during the feed
• Baby’s lips (top and bottom) should be turned outward
• you should hear a 2:1 suck and swallow pattern after the initial let down.

While breastfeeding can be uncomfortable, especially for first-time mothers, it shouldn’t be painful. If you experience pinched, sore or bleeding nipples, or your baby still seems hungry after a feed, these could be signs that your baby isn’t attaching well. Seek help from your midwife.

Breastfeed responsively

You cannot over feed a baby who is only having breast milk. Often babies will feed for comfort as well as for nutrition and responsive feeding means breastfeeding whenever your baby shows feeding cues that it wants to be fed. It also means you can offer a breastfeed if your breasts feel full or for your own needs. Feeding regularly will ensure that you have a good milk supply and that the baby feels loved and supported. However, it is not usual for babies to have large gaps between feeds so if your baby is going for a long time (more than 3 hours) without showing feeding cues try to wake them and offer the breast - a baby should feed at minimum eight to ten times in 24 hours, with feeds lasting between 10 and 45 minutes. If your baby comes off the breast, this can mean the breast is nearly empty, so you can offer the other side.

Additional Resources for mothers

• Global Health Media  breastfeeding and expressing videos available in multiple languages. 
• Unicef  breastfeeding and expressing videos and information leaflets
• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers  free online breastfeeding preparation course
• NHS start4life  
• First Steps Nutrition Trust  

How long will you stay in hospital after the birth of your baby?

If your baby is born in the birth centre.

Immediately after your birth, you and your baby will be made comfortable in the Birth Centre.

Soon after that, your baby will be examined by your midwife, who will then leave you to enjoy your first moments together, during which time you can have breastfeeding guidance from the midwives to ensure you are comfortable.

If there are no complications, most women tend to stay for between 6 - 8 hours after the birth before going home. If you have had a more complicated birth you may be moved to a postnatal ward, where you will be with other mothers and babies, and stay with us between 24 and 48 hours.

If your baby is born in the Labour Ward

As soon as your baby is delivered, both you and the baby will be made comfortable in the Delivery Suite.

In hospital the safety of you and your baby is of paramount importance to us. To help us with this, your baby will have two labels and a security tag, (on admission to the Maternity Ward). It is very important for your baby’s security and safety that they are present. Please inform a member of staff if these become loose. Security  is extremely important and these must be replaced if they fall off.

If you notice any other security problems or suspicious behaviour from anyone please inform a member of staff.

If you have a straightforward birth you may be able to go home shortly after from the Delivery Suite/Labour Ward .

If you are on the Maternity Ward you will stay with us for a period of about six to 24 hours, depending on your individual need.

If you have an instrumental birth, (ventouse or forceps) it is anticipated that you will stay for approximately 24 hours, although you may choose to go home before this if both you and your baby are well.

If you have an emergency caesarean section, it is anticipated that you would stay in hospital for about 24 to 48 hours - again depending on the condition of you and your baby.

If you have a planned caesarean, there is an enhanced recovery, it is anticipated that you will stay for approximately 24 hrs

There may also be occasions when a mother and/or her baby may require a longer stay in hospital, and this will be explained to you as soon as possible if this applies to you.

This is the advice provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) .

While you are in hospital, and also once you go home, help and support is available 24-hours a day from midwives and the wider maternity care team. On the Maternity Ward staff are made up of a team of doctors, midwives, maternity care assistants, nursery nurses and student midwives.

Once home you will be visited by midwives together with student midwives and maternity care assistants. They are all there to assist you and your family adapt and enjoy your new life together and to help you become confident in caring for your new baby.

Mother and baby health checks

Following the birth of your baby, you will both have health checks performed to ensure that you are recovering well from the birth and your baby is adjusting well to being a newborn.

Your temperature, pulse and blood pressure will be checked at least once during your stay and possibly more depending on the type of birth you have had, and how long you are required to stay.

The midwife will talk to you during the postnatal check to ensure you are happy with feeding your baby. Please ask your midwife about anything you may not be sure of.

The midwife will feel your abdomen daily to ensure your uterus (womb) is contracted and is returning back to the normal position. The blood loss you experience following delivery is often described as a very heavy period. During the first 24 hours you may have to use two maternity pads at a time. If you have sudden profuse blood loss, feel faint, dizzy or have palpitations please tell a member of staff immediately. If you pass any blood clots please save these and inform your midwife.

Once you go home you will notice that your blood loss reduces over time and goes a darker colour. If this loss changes and becomes heavy or bright red in colour or develops an offensive smell please inform your midwife, as this could be a sign of an infection.

During the birth you may have needed a cut (episiotomy) or sustained a tear which required stitches. Even if you have not had stitches, pain and discomfort around your birth canal is common, (this is due to the bruising and swelling).

There are things that you can do to help the discomfort. Firstly you must tell your midwife or doctor, so that they can check that everything is alright and you do not have an infection or a haematoma “an abnormal collection of blood outside a blood vessel” (this is rare).

You must try to keep this area as clean and dry as possible; you can do this by changing your maternity pads regularly and after going to the toilet pat your stitches dry with a clean piece of soft tissue paper. Do not use powder or ointments on your stitches.

The midwife will give you regular pain relief; paracetamol is a good form of pain relief in the post natal period. However remember not to take more than eight tablets in 24 hours. Do not worry if you are breastfeeding as this will not affect your baby or your milk supply.

To avoid constipation try to make sure that you drink plenty of water (at least eight glasses) and fruit juice. Also try to eat a normal diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, wholegrain bread and cereals and food with plenty of fibre.).

You may find that you have piles (haemorrhoids). These often occur during the second stage of labour; pushing stage of labour. You need to avoid straining when you go to the toilet as they will become worse. Should these occur ask your midwife for advice. The first time you pass urine, you may find this difficult or it stings. This is normal and you should not worry. Drink plenty of fluids, this will make the urine less concentrated and easier to pass.

If you had a caesarean section, your postnatal check is the same. In addition, your wound is checked daily. However, the plastic 'opsite’ dressing is left on to prevent infection and ensure that your wound heals. Also if you had a caesarean section you will be seen the next day by the anaesthetist to discuss your anaesthetic, and check you have no problems.

If your recovery is straight forward you may not see a doctor during your stay in hospital. However, if the midwife has any concerns about you, a doctor will be asked to see you. If you would like to discuss anything with a doctor please tell the midwife who will arrange this for you.

Your discharge home

You and your baby will be discharged home as soon as you are clinically well to do so; this will usually be within 6-48hrs after birth. Please be aware that discharges occur throughout the day and into the evening Monday to Sunday. For your discharge to be completed, the following milestones will need to be met:

• A postnatal check of the mother by the midwife (you may require a review by a doctor)
• Your newborn is examined by our specialist team
• Medication for you or your baby to go home if needed
• Hearing screening will be offered during your stay in the Maternity Ward , or you may be offered an appointment in the community
• Transfer papers for the community midwife
• Transfer papers for the health visitor
• A child health record book (Red Book)
• Information leaflets about your recovery, contraception, emotional support, safe sleep for babies, birth registration and useful contact details of support groups for parents in your community
• List of contact details for hospitals in your area as well as North Mid in case you become unwell

Birth reflections clinic

What we offer.

The birth reflections clinic runs on Thursday mornings and is offered to women who have had complications at or around the time of delivery. We aim to see women 4-6 weeks after birth and provide a robust clinical review, with a discussion and debrief around the events that occurred. We support women to ensure they understand what happened at their delivery and make any appropriate arrangements for ongoing support. We give advice concerning any future pregnancies and care.

We would usually see women with the following complications:

• Severe pre-eclampsia
• Massive bleeding after delivery (>2.5 litres or needing >4 units of blood transfusion)
• Admission into ITU for any reason
• Failed instrumental delivery leading to Caesarean section
• Category 1 Caesarean section (urgent emergency for low fetal heart rate, placental separation or cord prolapse)
• Baby required admission to SCBU for over 24 hours for reduced oxygen levels at birth
• Complicated Caesarean sections
• Prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days after delivery
• Repeat operation after delivery
• If your consultant feels it is appropriate

If we see you in this clinic we aim to explain events in a way that you understand and answer all of your questions to the best of our ability. If you have any concerns to raise then we can take action as necessary

Meet the team

• Miss V Sivashanmugarajan - Consultant obstetrician
• Janet Pardo - Midwifery matron

How you get referred

Usually you would be given an appointment prior to discharge from the maternity ward. 

If you would like to be seen in the birth reflections clinic but don’t have an appointment then please speak to your midwife or GP who will refer you to the clinic. 

Covid-19 and postnatal care

If you have not displayed any symptoms for Covid-19, it is likely the Covid-19 test upon admission to our maternity unit will come back as negative. Should this not be the case and your test result is positive, a Midwife will contact you with your result to discuss how you are feeling and ask you to self-isolate for the recommended time frame.   

• If you have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate for at least 7 days.
• If you do not have a high temperature after 7 days, you no longer need to self-isolate and can leave your home on the 8 th day after your symptoms started or from receiving the positive swab result, adhering to the government’s social distancing measure’s.
• If you still have a high temperature after 7 days, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal and you feel better

Will Covid-19 affect my baby?

As this is a new virus, there is limited evidence about caring for women with coronavirus infection when they have just given birth. A small number of babies have been diagnosed with coronavirus shortly after birth, so there is a chance that infection may have occurred in the womb, but it is not certain whether transmission was before or soon after birth. Your maternity team will maintain strict infection control measures at the time of your birth and closely monitor your baby.

Can I still breastfeed if I have tested positive for Covid-19?

Yes. There is no evidence showing that the virus can be carried or passed on in breastmilk. The well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding and the protection it offers to babies outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus through breastmilk. Provided your baby is well and doesn’t require care in the neonatal unit, you will stay together after you have given birth so skin-to-skin and breastfeeding can be initiated and supported if you choose.

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After birth

You will be seen by a midwife, either at home or in a community health centre, the day after you leave hospital, and as needed for up to 28 days. 

You will be offered a physical examination of your baby within 72 hours of giving birth, either at home or in hospital. For more information, visit NHS website: Newborn physical examination .

A health visitor will usually visit you at home for the first time around 10 days after your baby is born. Until then you will be cared for by your midwife.

We are here for you 

If at any time in hospital or after the birth of your baby you have a concern, question or not not understand something, please do not hesitate to speak to your midwife, health visitor, or any other member of staff. 

We work closely with other healthcare processionals and can arrange any support you may need, including help with feeding your baby and mental health and wellbeing support.  

Leaving hospital 

This video shares useful information on leaving hospital, caring for your newborn baby, and yourself.  

For information about what happens straight after birth, what happens to your body after birth, your newborn baby, the early days and babies who need extra care or who are born premature, visit After the birth - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Registering your baby's birth

All new parents must register their baby's birth within 42 days (six weeks) of the birth.

Please visit Swindon Register Office: Register a birth .

Further information

1 of 5 Feeding your baby

2 of 5 Health visiting

3 of 5 Newborn blood spot screening

4 of 5 Safer Sleeping

5 of 5 Tongue-tie

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• 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 .

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What does a midwife do and other FAQs

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They’ll be one of the most important people in your life for nine months (and beyond). So here’s what you need to know about your midwife’s role.

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a health professional (male or female) who supports women through pregnancy, labour, birth and the early days of parenthood (MIDIRS, 2017) . They will see you through scans, tests and welcoming your baby into the world.

What does a midwife do?

A midwife can be based in hospital, in a community setting like a midwife-led unit or a doctor’s surgery, or they can visit you at home (MIDIRS, 2017) . Community midwives will monitor you during your pregnancy, give advice and arrange access to any medical care you need.

For the birth, a hospital midwife will support and guide you and help you to get medical support if you need it. After your baby is born, a community midwife will be around to help you feed and care for your baby. That is, until you’re ready to say goodbye to them and switch over to a health visitor.

Do I have to see my GP for a referral to a midwife?

No, it’s much simpler than that – you can go directly to a midwife for your antenatal care (NICE, 2008) . Your GP practice or health centre can give you contact details for an NHS midwife. Your local NHS Hospital Trust website might also contain NHS midwives’ contact details.

"You don’t have to see a GP or an obstetrician while you’re pregnant or giving birth if you’d prefer not to, as long there are no complications (NICE, 2008) ."

Can I choose a private midwife, rather than NHS?

Of course, if you’re happy to pay. Independent midwives work for themselves so they charge for their services (IMUK, 2014a) .

If you opt for this route the same midwife – possibly with a colleague – will care for you throughout. This can improve a woman’s chance of achieving the kind of birth she is aiming for (IMUK, 2014b) . Independent midwives are often very experienced in more complicated births, such as vaginal breech, twin, and after caesarean (VBAC ) births too (IMUK, 2014b) .

Many women who choose indpendent midwives plump for a home birth but it’s not restricted: you are still able to access NHS care if it’s needed (IMUK, 2014c) . Find out how to access an independent midwife at IMUK  or the Positive Birth Movement  or go for a personal recommendation from a friend.

Is a doula the same as a midwife?

No. You might have heard mention of doulas but have never been quite sure how they’re different from midwives. The main distinction is that they are not acting medically but as a person who supports you during labour, birth and postnatally (Doula UK, 2017) .

What happens at my midwife appointments?

If this is your first baby you’ll probably have 10 appointments, but if you already have children it will likely drop down to seven (NICE, 2008) . You might have extra appointments if you see a specialist; if so, this should be written in your maternity notes that you’ll get at your ‘booking’ (first) appointment (NICE, 2008) . Here’s what to expect:

• You’ll have your ‘booking’ appointment between eight to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• At each appointment, you’ll have specific topics to talk through. This will include things like which screening and antenatal tests are available, your lifestyle or what type of birth you’d like. You’ll always be given the chance to ask questions.
• At every appointment, your midwife will ask permission to take your blood pressure and check your urine for glucose and protein.
• Your midwife will feel your tummy to see how your baby is growing, and listen to your baby’s heartbeat. Towards the end of your pregnancy, they’ll also ask about their activity and check which position your baby is in.

(NHS, 2015)

Do I call my midwife when I go into labour?

The process on the big day varies throughout the country, so talk to your midwife about what happens in your area. Your local NHS Hospital Trust  might also provide details. Some areas have a single telephone number to call when you’re in labour, where you speak to a midwife and discuss what to do.

Whether you’re having your baby at home, a midwife-led unit or an obstetric unit, the midwife will support you and liaise with medical staff if needed (NICE, 2014) . Straight after the birth, your midwife will check you both over and offer help with feeding and stitches if needed. They might also refer you on to further medical support if you need it (NICE, 2006, 2014) .

Will I see the midwife after my baby is born?

Technically, your midwife will continue to support you for six to eight weeks  after you welcome your baby into the world and will also make sure you’re both adjusting well (Raynor, 2017) . If you’re doing ok though, you’re more likely to move over to the care of a health visitor around day ten. Check your maternity notes or ask your midwife to find out how and when the transition works in your area.

This page was last reviewed in September 2017.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer  antenatal courses  which are a great way to find out more about having a baby, labour and life with a new child.

For more information on everything that midwives do, check out the Nursing and Midwifery Council  or the Royal College of Midwives

Doula UK (2017) About doulas. Available at: https://doula.org.uk/about-doulas/ [Accessed 12th September 2017].

IMUK (2014a) FAQs. http://www.imuk.org.uk/professionals/faqs/#about [Accessed 6th September 2017].

IMUK (2014b) What we do. http://www.imuk.org.uk/families/what-we-do/ [Accessed 6th September 2017].

IMUK (2014c) Hospital birth and NHS care. http://www.imuk.org.uk/families/faqs/#hospital [Accessed 12th September 2017].

MIDIRS (2017) Definition of the midwife. https://www.midirs.org/how-to-become-a-midwife/definition-midwife/ [Accessed 10th August 2017].

NHS (2015) Your antenatal care. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/antenatal-midwife… [Accessed 10th August 2017].

NICE (2006) Postnatal care up to 8 weeks after birth CG37. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg37 [Accessed 6th September 2017].

NICE (2008) Antenatal care for uncomplicated pregnancies. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg62 [Accessed 10th August 2017].

NICE (2014) Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies CG 190 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190 [Accessed 6th September 2017].

Raynor MD (2017) Myles survival guide to midwifery Ebook. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books [Accessed 12th September 2017].

Further reading

Department of Health (2014) Independent midwives: insurance options outlined. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/independent-midwives-insurance-optio… [Accessed 6th September 2017].

MIDIRS (2017) Midwifery education: academic and clinical course content. Available at: https://www.midirs.org/how-to-become-a-midwife/midwifery-education-acad… [Accessed 6th September 2017].

NMC (2015) The Code. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/ [Accessed 6th September 2017].

NMC (2017) Standards for competence for registered midwives. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/standards/nmc-standar… 6th September 2017].

RCM (2018) Independent midwives FAQs. Available at: https://www.rcm.org.uk/content/independent-midwives-faqa [Accessed 5th March 2018].

Information you can trust from NCT

When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process .

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After the birth

Your postnatal care.

When you and baby get home, you will continue to get support from your local midwives until around day 21-28 when your local health visiting team will take over in supporting you and your baby.  Find out more about your local care teams.

If you need additional support, you can call your midwife or health visitor at any time and leave a message if they’re not currently available, so they can get back to you. If you don’t get a response, it’s best to call Labour Line on 0300 3690388.

Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix. It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.

If you are due for a cervical screening test while pregnant, this should be rescheduled for 12 weeks after the birth. Being a new mum can be a very busy time but it is very important that you do find the time to reschedule your appointment, so please contact your GP.

Find out more information about cervical screening.

Postnatal mental health

It’s important to reach out and talk to someone if you are struggling with your mental health. Your midwife or health visitor will be able to offer you support and advice. They may suggest speaking to your general practitioner (GP) about possible treatment. You can find lots more information about your mental health and emotional wellbeing here.

You can self refer to Steps 2 Wellbeing if you think some counselling may help , and it might be helpful to read more about postnatal depression on the Wessex Healthier Together website.

Quick links:

• New parents
• Twins and more
• How to breastfeed
• Breastfeeding problems
• Lifestyle and breastfeeding
• Bottle feeding
• Newborn screening tests
• Newborn essentials
• ICON – Babies cry, you can cope

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Ready Steady Baby

Home visits.

You should be visited several times by your midwife or family nurse at home during the first 10 days. Friends and family will want to visit to meet your baby too.

It’s OK to ask visitors to:

• call you first and to sometimes say no
• help with other things so you can have a rest or spend time with your baby

Extra support

Some new parents need more support than others. You’ll get extra support from your midwife, family nurse or other health professionals if your baby:

• was born early
• spent time in special or intensive care
• has additional needs

Tests and checks

During the first 10 days your midwife will:

• weigh your baby
• do a newborn blood spot test if you agree

You’ll also need to register your baby with a GP

More about newborn blood spot tests

Your health visitor

A health visitor’s a registered nurse or midwife who’s done further study in public health nursing.

Your health visitor will:

• take over from your midwife when your baby’s 11 days old
• get to know you and your baby
• ensure you get all the help and support you need as your baby grows

Your baby’s named person

In Scotland, the aim is that every child, young person and their parents have a `named person’ who is a clear and safe point of contact to seek support and advice about any aspect of your child’s wellbeing.

From when your child is born until they start school, your named person is your health visitor.

Your baby’s named person will:

• be a good person for you to ask for information or advice about being a parent
• talk to about any worries
• support you to look after yourself and your baby

They can also:

• put you in contact with other community professionals or services
• help you make the best choices for you and your family

The Red Book

You’ll be given a personal child health record called the Red Book. You can use it to record information about your baby’s growth, development, tests and immunisations.

Keep it safe and take it to any appointments you have with a healthcare professional.

The family nurse

Family nurses offer the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme to young, first-time parents from early in their pregnancy until their child’s 2 years old. This program is available to first-time parents under the age of 20.

The programme includes home visits from a family nurse while you’re pregnant, and after your baby’s born. These visits help:

• to have a healthy pregnancy
• you and your baby grow and develop together
• you to be the best parent you can be.

Your health visitor will take over from your family nurse when your baby is two until they go to school.

The Scottish Government has more information about Family Nurse Partnership

Translations and alternative formats of this information are available from Public Health Scotland .

If you need a different language or format, please contact [email protected].

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Last updated: 19 December 2023

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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