Planning to go home
Before your baby is born it’s a good idea to start planning for going home after the birth. As well as getting everything ready for your new baby one thing to consider is what support you will have when you go home.
After your baby is born, midwives will give you information about going home, including a discharge summary for your own records. This is a good time to ask questions.
A routine referral to the child and family health team will be sent with your consent and you’ll be followed up by the team at around two weeks after discharge.
If you and your baby want to go home soon after birth or you need extra support, MNCLHD Maternity Services have the option of midwifery in the home. The midwifery in the home team will visit you at home for up to two weeks after the birth of your baby. The role of this team is to perform health checks for you and your baby, support you in learning to feed your baby and provide you with ongoing education and support.
If your care is provided by a Midwifery Group Practice (midwife or a small team of midwives), they will visit you at home for up to 6 weeks.
After discharge from the hospital or midwifery in the home, your ongoing care as new parents is continued through the Child and Family Health Service (C&FHS). C&FHN will contact you within 2 weeks of your baby’s birth to tell you about their service and offer an appointment.