Frequently Asked Questions (postnatal)

Frequently asked questions for after your baby is born

Unfortunately we are unable to book or reserve individual rooms on our postnatal wards.

ll babies who are well should be held in skin to skin contact as soon as possible after they have been born, until they have had their first feed.

Skin to skin contact with your baby has many advantages:

It helps keep baby warm
It helps baby regulate his heart rate and breathing
It is calming for mother and baby
It helps you and your baby bond
It stimulates baby to feed

Most babies show signs that they are ready to feed around an hour after being born if they are held like this. We recommend skin to skin contact takes place as often as possible in the first few days as it will help you to bond with your baby and encourages them to feed.

Babies show the same signs when they are ready to feed including:

Rapid eye movements under the eyelids
Mouth and tongue movements
Hand to mouth movements
Body movements
Small sounds

Babies usually cry after you have seen these signs. It is better to feed your baby before they cry as they will need to be settled before they can feed.

After having a baby you can bleed from a few days up to 12 weeks. Most people will stop bleeding between 2 and 4 weeks but everyone is different. It is also common for your bleeding to stop and then start again a few days later, so we recommend continuing to wear a pad until you have had no bleeding for 7 days.

It is common to pass small blood clots after you have given birth. This usually happens if you have been sitting or laying down for some time. If you pass a clot that is larger than a 50p coin or if you have any discharge that smells bad please tell your midwife.

Pain whilst passing urine is common, especially if you have had a catheter. It can also can sting if you have had stitches. Make sure you drink lots and empty your bladder frequently. If you feel the pain isn’t from your stitches and you are feeling unwell or have a high temperature please contact your midwife or GP urgently so they can check for an infection.

It is normal not to need a poo for a few days after you have given birth. Make sure you are drinking enough water and eating fruit, vegetables and fibre. If you are feeling uncomfortable or constipated you can get medicines from a pharmacy to help you poo. If you are very uncomfortable or you have piles which are painful please speak to your midwife or doctor (GP) for advice.

Have a bath or shower every day to keep your stitches clean. Do not use any products in the area of your stitches until they have healed. If it stings when you pass urine (wee) you can use a jug of warm water to pour over your perineum whilst you are passing urine and then gently pat the area dry. Never sit on a rubber ring as this prevents blood flow to the perineum and can cause more problems.

Keep the area clean and change your pad regularly to prevent infection. Your stitches should improve day by day. If you have any discharge that smells bad or your stitches feel like they are getting worse please ask your Midwife or GP to check if you have an infection.

Your stitches can take up to 8 weeks to fully dissolve. They should only be painful for 5-7 days after your baby has been born. You can take simple pain relief such as paracetamol to help with the pain.

Please watch the video below if you have had tears or stitches at delivery. Our physiotherapist Jenny shares information to help with your recovery including exercises and advice if you have had a third or fourth degree tear.

If you feel you have less control of your bladder or bowel following delivery, please ask your midwife or GP about a referral to a physiotherapist.

Caring for your perineum after the birth of your baby

In this video, you’ll receive advice on how to care for your perineum after the birth of your baby.

Caring for your perineum after the birth of your baby

This video is designed for women who have experienced tears or stitches during delivery. It provides information to aid in recovery, particularly for those who have had a third or fourth degree tear.

Up to 90% of women may tear during childbirth as the baby stretches through the vagina, with the perineum—the area between the entrance of the vagina and the back passage—being the most common site of tearing. Some women may undergo an episiotomy, which is a surgical cut made in the perineum to facilitate delivery.

Tears can be classified from first to fourth degree:

A first degree tear involves a small bruise and typically does not require stitches.

A second degree tear extends into the muscle of the perineum and usually requires stitching.

Up to 6% of women may experience third or fourth degree tears, which penetrate deeper into the muscle. A third degree tear affects the muscle surrounding the back passage, while a fourth degree tear extends even further.
After sustaining a tear or episiotomy, it is normal to experience pain for several days to weeks, with gradual improvement expected. If you notice increasing pain, a rise in discharge, or an offensive smell, it may indicate an infection; in such cases, consult your GP or midwife.

Some women may experience reduced bladder or bowel control post-delivery. If this occurs, it’s important to ask your midwife for a referral to physiotherapy.

To minimize the risk of infection and support healing, follow these recommendations:

Keep the area clean by bathing or showering at least once daily.
Change your pads every two to three hours.

Always wash your hands before and after changing pads.

Change positions frequently to avoid discomfort from staying in one position too long.

You may need medication for pain relief; discuss this with your midwife. Ice can help reduce swelling—use an ice or gel pack wrapped in a clean protective layer for up to 10 minutes at a time, checking the skin regularly to avoid ice burns.
Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear, maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid a day, preferably water. Avoid straining during bowel movements; some women find it helpful to support the stitches with tissue during this process.

Pelvic floor exercises can aid healing and should be initiated once you feel comfortable. However, do not begin these exercises if you still have a catheter.
The pelvic floor muscles, which span from the pubic bone to the tailbone, are essential for preventing bladder and bowel leakage and supporting pelvic organs.

To perform pelvic floor exercises:

Quick Squeeze: Tighten the muscles as if trying to stop wind from passing, then relax. Repeat up to 10 times.

Holding Exercise: Squeeze the same muscles and hold for up to 10 seconds before relaxing. Repeat this up to 10 times.
Aim to do these exercises three to four times a day and continue them throughout your life.

Most women recover well after a third or fourth degree tear by following the guidance provided in this video. You will also receive medication during your hospital stay to prevent infection, ease bowel movements, and manage pain.

Women who have had third or fourth degree tears will be referred to physiotherapy and will receive an appointment at a perineal clinic 10 to 12 weeks post-delivery. This visit will assess your recovery and address any bladder or bowel issues, and it offers a chance to discuss your birth experience in detail.

The physiotherapy department will contact you by letter to check for any issues with your bladder, bowel, or perineum. If you experience any difficulties controlling your bladder or bowel, have urgent needs to use the toilet, feel incomplete emptying, or have other concerns, please reach out to your physiotherapist for guidance and potential appointments.

The pelvic floor muscles are weakened when you are pregnant and give birth. These muscles sit at the bottom of the pelvis. Their job is to help to support the bladder, womb and bowels and to wrap around the opening of the bladder and back passage to stop leakage.

There are two types of exercises to do. Start in a lying or sitting position, progress to standing if they get easier.

Exercise 1 -Squeeze around the back passage as if you are trying to stop passing wind, at the same time squeeze in front as if trying to stop the flow of urine. You should feel a squeeze and lift. Hold for a second. Allow the muscles to fully relax and repeat up to 10 times.

Exercise 2 – Squeeze around the back passage as if you are trying to stop passing wind, at the same time squeeze in front as if trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold the squeeze for a few seconds (up to 10), relax and repeat a few times (up to 10).

Both exercises should be done 3 to 4 times a day.