Newborn checks when you have a homebirth

[whomovedmychocolate]

When I had DD in hospital (for ten sodding days) they did all her newborn and seven day checks on the ward.

What happens when you have a homebirth? Do you have to trek into the hospital to get them done?

I found that post-natal care was pretty patchy after my hb (first baby). Are their guidelines for what visits you are supposed to get? GP came out and did the newborn check the day after DS was born I think.

They did make me go to the clinic to have Anti-D injection when DS was 48 hrs old, which was a pain. Apparently they coudn't do it at my house...

I think the erratic post-natal care had a lot to do with DS being hospitalised at 6 days old as he'd lost too much weight and wasn't shaking the jaundice . We knew bf wasn't quite right but no-one really listened. Got it sorted eventually but really stressful at the time.

Gosh, I got the anti-D at home, administered by community midwifes. It's shite that it's all so patchy...

A GP from my surgery came the day DD was born. He had a 'trainee' with him too. Neither had seen the form they had to fill in and couldn't work out what half the tests or abbreviations were. They were checking something with her eyes and one said to the other "was it if they reflected or not?", the other said "can't remember". The Dr then quizzed the other bloke about the umbilical falling off and they both agreed that happened around day 3. All in all they were like cows with a gun and hadn't a clue. If I was a first time mum I would have been freaking out. But ultimately I knew there wasn't really anything to worry about with DD.

I didn't see the MW everyday like I did with DS as I told ehr I didn't need it (always found it an inconvenience) and I'd call her if I needed her. So I can't really comment on the PN care post HB.

Anti d used to be given at home but isn't anymore just in case someone has a reaction to it,so it can be given in a gp surgery as long as a gp is in the building and can be given in maternity units. I've never heard of anyone having a reaction to it tbh though.

Interesting about the anti-D maxbear - I'd already had the jab during pg (which is recommended now I think) and had no reaction, altho this was obv 'safely' at the surgery...

head MW came out and did them the day after DD was born. Infact everything was done at home then even sent out a Maternity Assistant from the hospital to show us how to bath her etc.