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A nurse talks with a mother resting in a hospital bed while her partner listens and the baby sleeps in a bassinet.

In the hospital

The first hours and days: checks, recovery, feeding and your baby.

  1. After birth: who is caring for us?After birth, nurses check on both of you regularly, and a baby care team checks your newborn. Many hospitals keep the baby in your room (rooming-in) so you can learn together.
  2. Why staff check bleeding, the uterus and vital signsStaff check your bleeding, press gently on your belly to feel your uterus, and take your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. These checks look for heavy bleeding, infection and blood-pressure problems early.
  3. Recovery after vaginal birthAfter a vaginal birth, soreness, swelling and stitches are common. A peri bottle (a small squeeze bottle of warm water) is often used to rinse the area when you use the toilet.
  4. Recovery after a C-sectionA C-section is major surgery. Staff help you get up and move when it is safe, check your incision, and watch for infection, blood clots and effects of anesthesia.
  5. Understanding your pain-relief planPain after birth is expected, and you can ask for help with it. Your care team chooses pain medicines based on your birth, your health and whether you are feeding with breast milk.
  6. Peeing, bowel movements and hemorrhoidsPeeing and the first bowel movement can feel daunting after birth. Hemorrhoids are common. Staff often check that you can pass urine.
  7. Bleeding, discharge and crampingBleeding and discharge after birth (lochia) are normal and change over the following weeks. Cramping is common, especially while feeding. Very heavy bleeding is a warning sign.
  8. Eating, drinking and getting up safelyMost people can eat and drink after birth, but some treatments or surgery may mean waiting or getting up only with help. Ask your nurse what applies to you.
  9. Getting help with feedingYou can ask for help with feeding, whether you use breast milk, formula or both. Hospitals often have nurses or lactation consultants who can help.
  10. Milk changes, pumping and separationMilk may take time to come in, and it can be delayed after some births. If you are separated from your baby, pumping or hand expression can help, and staff can show you how.
  11. Newborn checks and screeningBefore you go home, your baby has several routine checks and screening tests, such as a small heel-prick blood test and a hearing check.
  12. Baby identification and hospital safetyHospitals use matching ID bracelets and other safety steps so that your baby only leaves the room with the right people.
  13. Safe sleep when parents are exhaustedBabies should sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface of their own, with nothing else in the sleep space. When you are exhausted, plan who will watch the baby so you can rest safely.
  14. Diapers, cord care and bathingNurses can show you how to change diapers, care for the umbilical cord stump and bathe your baby. Ask them to show you, then try it while they watch.
  15. When a baby needs extra monitoring or NICU careSome babies need extra monitoring, such as blood sugar checks, or care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This can be frightening. You can ask the team to explain what is happening and how you can be involved.
  16. Fathers and support people: helping in the hospitalFathers, partners and other support people can help a lot: getting water, holding the baby, learning care, and watching for warning signs. Visitor and overnight rules differ by hospital.
  17. Emotional changes and bondingMany new parents feel tearful, anxious or overwhelmed in the first days. Bonding can take time. If low mood or anxiety lasts, gets worse or feels severe, ask for help. You do not need to wait.
  18. Support after a frightening birth or lossIf your birth was frightening, or you experienced a loss, you deserve care and support. Reliving the birth, numbness or deep grief are understandable, and help is available.

Prototype draft. Not yet clinically reviewed. Your own care team's instructions come first. About this app