Care following birth

Birth to Six weeks

As your LMC we continue to provide care in the first six weeks following the birth of the baby.
 

The following services are offered during this time:

♦ Baby check at each contact including detailed clinical examination of your baby within the first 24 hours, withing 5 days of the baby's birth and at the time of transfer to Well Chils Services (4-6 weeks)

♦ While in hospital, a daily postnatal visit prior to your discharge home (unless another arrangment is made with you and with the facility)

♦ home visit within 24 hours of your discharge from hospital

♦ a total on average of 5 – 10 midwifery home visits and more if clinically needed. You are entitled to minimum of seven postnatal visits in total under Section 88 Primary Maternity Notice.

♦ support, assistance with and advice about breastfeeding and nutrition for you and your baby

♦ assessment for risk of postnatal depression and/or family violence with appropriate advice and referral

♦ provision of the Ministry of Health information on immunisation and National Immunisation Register

♦ access to screening programmes for your baby as outlined in the Well Child Tamariki Ora National Schedule

♦ advice about contraception and prescription for certain contraception

♦ parenting advice and education

♦ a physical examination as required during postnatal and one prior to discharge from the LMC service

♦ transfer of your baby’s care from the LMC to the Well Child provider at a date agreed with you between 4-6 weeks after the birth, and formal notification of this transfer to the Well Child provider

♦ notification to your General Practitioner of your discharge from LMC services

The following organisations in NZ provide support for families following birth of a baby:

Plunket - a non-profit organisation and the largest provider of support services for families with children under the age of five in New Zealand

Kiwi Families - provides parenting advice from conception to adulthood

Pepsicles - Postnatal home help service

Pregnancy Help Inc - provide free and client focused practical assistance, information and advice during pregnancy and early childhood.

Disclaimer: The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your LMC or medical practitioner. Please do consult your LMC or medical practitioner with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your baby's condition.