New mums and their babies sometimes go home from the delivery suite. If this is not appropriate mums will be transferred to the ward with her new baby.
All our rooms are individual with their own en-suite shower and toilet, except for the post-operation bay which has 6 beds.
Most new mums spend only 1 or 2 nights in hospital following the birth of their baby.
The Postnatal ward also has four “Transitional Care” rooms that are used when babies require additional support that can be provided outside the Neonatal Unit.
Follow on care and advice
Midwife
A midwife will visit you and your baby usually the day after you have been discharged from hospital. Please give her your discharge information to read.
If your midwife has not visited you by 4pm please phone the Community Midwifery Office on 0151 604 7682
You will remain under the care of the midwife for a maximum of 28 days; you may be discharged sooner if there are no concerns.
Below are a list of contact numbers should you require advice or need to speak with a midwife:
- Maternity Triage: 0151 604 7111
- Maternity Ward: 0151 604 7131
- Community Midwifery Office: 0151 604 7682 (8.30am-4.30pm)
Health Visitor
We will notify your health visitor of the birth of your baby. They will be in contact when your baby is between 10 days to 2 weeks old.
General Practitioner (GP)
We will inform your GP of your delivery and details of your new baby. You will need to complete a form for your new baby to register with your GP surgery.
You will need to contact your GP’s surgery six weeks following the birth of your baby for a routine postnatal examination and a follow up Newborn Physical Examination (NIPE).
If you have any concerns about yourself, or your baby being unwell please contact your GP’s surgery or NHS 111.
Feeding
If you have any feeding problems these can be discussed with your Midwife or Health visitor. If you have any urgent concerns please contact the Maternity Ward.
Contraception
It is possible to become pregnant again very soon after the birth of a baby, even if you are breastfeeding and even if periods have not returned. It is important to plan contraception in advance. You can obtain further information from the GP, Health visitor, Sexual Health Clinic or visit Sexual Health Wirral (see link to their website in Related Links to left of this page).
Cervical Screening Teat (Smear)
This should be discussed at your postnatal examination with your GP. If you were due a cervical screening test while pregnant, this can be rescheduled for 12 weeks after birth.
Pre pregnancy counselling
If you require advice from a health professional before planning your next pregnancy please contact your GP who will arrange the appropriate referral. Women with pre-existing medical conditions such as Diabetes may need to be seen by a Specialist at the hospital when planning a pregnancy.
Birth registration
It is a legal requirement that you register your baby within 42 days from the birth.
Your registration office is the Birkenhead Town Hall, Hamilton Square, CH41 5EU
You must book an appointment by either phoning 0151 606 2020 or visit Wirral.Gov website (see Related Link to left).
Reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SID’s or Cot Death
To reduce the chance families, should follow the key advice for baby sleep
- Put babies on their BACK for every sleep
- In a CLEAR, FLAT SLEEP SPACE
- Keep them SMOKE FREE day and night
Additional information can be found from The Lullaby Trust (see Related Link to left of this page).
Medication
Please complete any medication prescribed for you or your baby. Please ask your GP if you have any problems or require a repeat prescription.
Newborn Hearing Screening
If you have been discharged home prior to your baby undergoing a Newborn hearing test an appointment to attend the hospital will be sent out to you in the post. If you have any queries regarding this please contact the Newborn Screening Office on 0151 604 7497.
Postnatal Debrief Service
As part of your postnatal care, we offer postnatal debriefing to women who require it. This is available if you feel you have questions about your care, your birth or wish to discuss your experience in more detail.
We offer two midwife-led services.
- If you have questions regarding your birth or the care you received, or if you have any concerns or complaints about your care, you can speak to a midwife about this.
- If you have experienced a traumatic or complex birth, you can meet with the Consultant Midwife for a debrief, where you will be offered further support to recover from this.
If you feel you would benefit from a debrief, please speak to a midwife on the ward or your community midwife who will be able to make a referral for you.
For more information:
- Read more in your Personal Child Health Record (Red book)
- Visit Module 7 After your baby is born on the Wirral University Teaching Hospital Parent Craft Education site
Feeding
- Discuss any problems with your midwife or health visitor
- All mothers are encouraged to stay in hospital until feeding is established
- Maternity support workers work closely with community midwives to support you in your own home.
- Koala North West Supporting Children and their Families - Breastfeeding support (see Related Link to left of this page).
Hearing screening
All babies are offered a hearing screen in the first few weeks of life.
One or two babies in every 1,000 is born with hearing loss in one or both ears, often into families with no history of impairment.
Early detection is important for the development of the child. It also means that support and information can be provided to the parents at an early stage.
The audiology team at Arrowe Park assess all babies born in the unit when they are 24 hours old, using specialised electronic equipment. Occasionally it may need to be repeated, if there is fluid still present in the ears.
Babies born at home or who go home straight from the MLU/delivery suite will be sent an appointment for approximately 2 weeks time.
For further information, www.ndcs.org.uk or www.screening.nhs.uk
Infections
Always wash your hands thoroughly using warm soapy water before touching your baby and also after you have changed your baby's nappy.
You should also remove your jewellery as bacteria can linger on watch straps and under rings. It's advisable not to wear nail varnish or false nails for the same reason.
Hand gel is extremely effective for the removal of lingering bacteria on hands that look clean. After washing, use the gel covering all areas of your hands and fingers.
At home you would not usually use gel, but because of the risks of hospital born bacteria, it is particularly important to be vigilant in your hand hygiene. Please ask your visitors to observe the signs about hand washing too.
Hand gel should be used on entering and leaving the Neonatal Unit to reduce the risk of infection being brought into the unit and also maintain cleanliness when you leave.