Postpartum

IMMEDIATE POSTPARTUM CARE

During the immediate postpartum recovery time after your birth at The Birth Center, both the CNM and RN/Birth Assistant will be monitoring both you are your baby. We will start our vital signs monitoring for both of you in the first 30 minutes after birth. Once we ensure both you and baby are doing well, there is usually a time for the new family to bond, with staff just a short distance away. We encourage getting the baby to breast in the first hour after birth and, for first time mothers, we spend time helping with breastfeeding positions and the “how to’s” of successfully getting baby to breast for the first time. All the while educating you on what to look for, what is normal, and what may need to be brought to the CNM’s attention.

Once you have breastfed your baby, been up to the bathroom, had something to eat, and perhaps even shower if you would like, we will begin our discharge teaching in preparation for your discharge to your home and your own bed! We assist as needed to make sure your baby is safely buckled into the car seat and see you off to your car for the trip to home.

EARLY FOLLOW UP POSTPARTUM CARE

We provide continued care for both mother and baby with an early discharge visit at The Birth Center, just one or two days after the birth. Your Certified Nurse Midwife or one of our Registerd Nurse staff will assess you, your baby, and your breastfeeding relationship. Additionally, we offer the Metabolic Screening (heel stick) for the baby as well as Congential Heart Defect Testing, which is a non-invasive test, during this early follow up visit.

AVAILABILITY

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is available by phone, text, or email, 24/7 for important questions or concerns that may arise after the birth.

ONGOING CARE

Two final office visits with the CNM will be scheduled two weeks and six weeks after your birth. During your two-week visit, another baby exam will be done and your breastfeeding experience will be discussed. Any questions you may have will be answered during this appointment.

During your six-week visit, your mental and physical recovery from the hormonal shifts of birth and early postpartum will be discussed, contraception plans, and next GYN appointment reviewed. Any additional questions you may have will be answered.

At anytime during your 6 weeks of postpartum time, should you feel the need to contact the CNM for concerns or questions about you or your baby, we are available and happy to take a call, text or email from you. Our CNM/IBCLC is available by appointment to help with concerns about breastfeeding even beyond the final 6 week postpartum office visit.