Who comes to see you after having a baby?

After having a baby, you'll see healthcare providers like your OB-GYN, midwife, pediatrician, and potentially lactation consultants or mental health specialists for checkups, plus family and friends who offer personal support, though you control who visits and when. The first few weeks involve crucial medical appointments for you and your baby, while a chosen support system helps with daily needs, respecting your recovery and bonding time.

Who comes to see you after you have a baby?

A health visitor will usually visit you at home for the first time around 10 days after your baby is born. Until then you'll be cared for by local midwives. A health visitor is a qualified nurse or midwife who has had extra training. They're there to help you, your family and your new baby stay healthy.

Who visits after you have a baby?

A midwife should visit you in the first 36 hours after you've been discharged from the hospital or after a home birth. This is to check on you and your baby. Call the hospital if this doesn't happen. There is no set number of visits you will have from your midwife.

Who do you see after having a baby?

A children's doctor (paediatrician), midwife or newborn (neonatal) nurse will check your baby is well and will offer him or her a newborn physical examination within 72 hours of birth. In the early days, the midwife will check your baby for signs of: jaundice.

What doctor do you see after having a baby?

"DR" after pregnancy usually means Diastasis Recti, a common separation of the "six-pack" abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis) that stretches the connective tissue (linea alba) to make room for the baby, causing a bulge or "pooch". While it often improves postpartum, persistent DR can cause back pain, poor posture, and pelvic floor issues, sometimes needing physical therapy or exercises to help muscles come back together.
 

Revealing Your Postpartum Reality: What Happens After Birth?

Is postpartum considered OB or gyn?

If you are interested in women's health and reproductive care, then you may consider a career as an OB/GYN, meaning a doctor specially trained in obstetrics and gynecology. What is obstetrics? Obstetrics involves care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Is it better to have an OB or midwife?

Neither midwives nor OB/GYNs are universally "better"; they are different providers suited for different needs, with midwives focusing on low-risk, natural births and comprehensive support, while OB/GYNs are medical doctors specialized in all pregnancies, including high-risk, and can perform surgeries like C-sections. Your choice depends on your pregnancy's health status and birth preferences, whether you want a more hands-on, low-intervention approach (midwife) or broader medical intervention capabilities (OB/GYN). 

What is the 3 6 9 rule for babies?

The "3 6 9 rule for babies" is a simple guideline for common growth spurts and developmental stages, occurring around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months, marked by increased hunger, fussiness, and disrupted sleep as babies rapidly grow and learn new skills. It's a helpful way for parents to anticipate behavioral changes, recognize feeding needs (cluster feeding), and understand developmental leaps, though timing can vary by baby.
 

Do you still see your OB after birth?

But it's hard to cover everything needed to ensure mom's health in one 30-minute visit. That's why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now advises that new moms connect with their ob-gyns several times during the 12 weeks after birth. The first checkup should be within 3 weeks.

What is the 5 5 5 rule after birth?

The 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for new mothers, suggesting 5 days in bed (total rest), 5 days on the bed (gentle movement like sitting up), and 5 days around the bed (light activity in the home), aiming for 15 days of focused rest and bonding after birth to support physical and mental healing. While a useful reminder to slow down, experts stress it's flexible; listen to your body and balance rest with light movement (like walking to the bathroom) to prevent blood clots, as rigid bed rest isn't medically ideal, says this Reddit thread and another source. 

What is the 40 day rule after birth?

The 40-day rule after birth is a widespread cultural tradition (like China's confinement or Latin America's cuarentena) emphasizing a period of rest, healing, and bonding for the new mother and baby, where the mother focuses solely on recovery and nursing, often with help from family, avoiding cold, stress, and sometimes even bathing, allowing her body to rejuvenate after childbirth. It's seen as vital for maternal recovery, establishing breastfeeding, and protecting the vulnerable newborn from illness, with practices like warm foods, herbal teas, and limiting outside activity. 

What is the 3 2 1 rule in pregnancy?

If you are a first time parent, you can follow the 3-2-1 rule = consistent contractions every 3-5 minutes, for 2 hours, lasting 1 minute or more. If this is a subsequent pregnancy, you can follow the 5-1-1 rule = consistent contractions every 5 minutes or less, for 1 hour, lasting 1 minute.

Who comes to your house after having a baby?

Your midwife may organise a time to visit you your baby at home. They can provide care and feeding advice. The midwife who helped with the birth will handover to community care, such as a child health nurse. You will have your first appointment with your local child health nurse about 10 days after you get home.

How long should you wait to have visitors after having a baby?

You should wait to have visitors until you feel ready, but many experts suggest limiting close contact for the first few weeks to 2-3 months to protect the newborn's developing immune system, with immediate family/support first, then wider circles later. Focus on bonding, healing, and establishing routines, setting firm boundaries for handwashing, vaccinations, and keeping sick people away to ensure a safe, comfortable experience for everyone. 

What is the newborn 2 hour rule?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should generally not spend more than two hours in their car seat at a time.* Think about it. You probably get fidgety after sitting for 2 hours — and remember, as an adult your movement is less restricted when using a lap-and-shoulder seat belt.

When does the health visitor come?

0 - 6 months

Soon after the birth of your baby, around day 10 to 14, a Health Visitor will make contact to offer to meet you at home. This is an opportunity to review together how you and your infant are doing and ensure you have the support you need during these early weeks with your new baby.

Why do people refuse vitamin K for newborns?

Parents refuse newborn Vitamin K shots due to myths (leukemia link, toxicity), desire for natural birth, concerns about pain/ingredients/dosage, mistrust of medicine, or believing maternal intake is enough, often influenced by online info; however, these injections prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a rare but severe condition causing brain bleeds, making refusal a significant, preventable health risk. 

What is the 2 2 2 rule for postpartum?

💕 Let's normalize postpartum rest with the *2-2-2 Rule*: 2 weeks IN bed, 2 weeks ON bed, 2 weeks NEAR bed. Prioritize your healing, bond with your baby, and give yourself the grace to recover.

What is the hardest week of postpartum?

In reality, the third week might be the hardest week postpartum, since everything seems to feel “normal,” but so much is happening at the same time. This being said, the third week will be an important week to focus on your mental health.

What is the 40 day rule for babies?

The 40-day rule after birth is a widespread cultural tradition (like China's confinement or Latin America's cuarentena) emphasizing a period of rest, healing, and bonding for the new mother and baby, where the mother focuses solely on recovery and nursing, often with help from family, avoiding cold, stress, and sometimes even bathing, allowing her body to rejuvenate after childbirth. It's seen as vital for maternal recovery, establishing breastfeeding, and protecting the vulnerable newborn from illness, with practices like warm foods, herbal teas, and limiting outside activity. 

Why do newborns need to sleep in their parents' room?

Babies should sleep in your room (room-sharing) but not in your bed (bed-sharing) for the first 6-12 months to significantly lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50%, making it easier to feed, comfort, and monitor them, while also reducing the risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment that can happen in an adult bed, says the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
 

What is the 20 minute rule for babies?

Hold your baby until they're in a deeper sleep. Babies start in 'active sleep' (with faster, uneven breathing) and move into a deeper sleep after about 20 minutes. That's a good time to transfer them into their sleeping place. Many babies don't like being put down into a cot.

Is a midwife cheaper than an OB?

Yes, midwives are generally cheaper than OB/GYNs, especially for low-risk pregnancies, with studies showing midwife-led care costing significantly less due to lower intervention rates and non-hospital settings (birth centers/homes). While OB/GYN care in a hospital is more costly, the final price depends heavily on your insurance coverage, location, and the specific services needed, so checking with providers and insurers is key. 

Can a midwife give an epidural?

Yes, midwives support epidurals and will help you get one in a hospital setting, but they don't administer the injection themselves; an anesthesiologist or CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) does, as epidurals require specialized medical personnel and are typically only available in hospitals, not birth centers or homes, though midwives coordinate the process to ensure you get timely pain relief. 

Does your OB always deliver your baby?

The midwife or OB-GYN you choose for prenatal care may or may not be the one to deliver your baby. Every clinic is different but OB-GYNs and midwives usually share hospital on-call duties with a group of others in their field. That means “your” doctor may not be on-call when baby decides to make their entrance.