Before you are discharged home with your baby or before the Midwife leaves following a homebirth, you will be given information and advice to help you care for your baby safely and look after your own health and wellbeing. You will be given the contact number for the Maternity Ward (Ward 23) which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, should you have any non-urgent concerns about yourself or your baby.
Contraception may be the last thing on your mind when you have just had a baby, but it is something you should consider if you want to delay or prevent another pregnancy. Many unplanned pregnancies happen in the first few months after childbirth. You can choose to not use contraception following the birth of your baby, however it is important to know the risks of not using contraception.
How soon after having my baby should I use contraception?
If you want to use contraception after you have had your baby, you should start from three weeks (21 days) after giving birth. You do not need to wait for your periods to return or until you have your postnatal check before using contraception as you could get pregnant again prior to this.
RCOG Overview of contraceptive methods infographic
Will breastfeeding act as a contraceptive?
Breastfeeding can be used as a contraceptive method and may be up to 98% effective, but only if ALL the following apply:
- You are fully breastfeeding. This means you are only giving your baby breast milk and there are no long intervals between feeds, including overnight.
- Your baby is less than six months old.
- You have not had you first period since the birth.
When can I start other methods of contraception?
If you are not breastfeeding, have no other risk factors and want to start using contraception, you can start a combined pill from three weeks after giving birth. An intrauterine device (coil) can be fitted from four weeks after giving birth.
Where can I go for more information or to get contraception?
You can attend a Sexual Health Clinic where everyone is welcome, you do not need to see a GP before attending the clinic. All contraception is free, and your appointment is confidential.
Cheshire East: Services run by Axess sexual health.
Book an appointment online (www.axess.clinic/)
or call 0300 323 1300. Available Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm.
Walk-in Wednesdays and Thursdays 4pm- 7pm for contraceptive pills, depo, patches, vaginal rings or condoms on.
Appointments are required to be booked for implants, coils or days outside walk in times above.
Address:Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing centre, Dunwoody Way, CW1 3AW
Cheshire West & Chester: Services run by The Sexual Health Hub all by appointment only. Book an appointment online:
www.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk/book/#book
or call 0300 247 0020. Available Monday to Thursday, 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-3:30pm and Saturday 9am-12:30pm
Winsford: Dene Drive, Dene Drive Primary Care Centre, Winsford, CW7 1AT Northwich: Watling Street Clinic, Watling St, Northwich CW9 5EX
For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/when-contraception-after-baby www.nct.org.uk/life-parent/your-body-after-birth/fertility-and-contraception-after-birth
The following will be discussed with you:
- Advice for parents carers of babies less than 3 months during Coronavirus (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health)
- Building a happy baby (UNICEF)
- Caring for your baby at night (UNICEF)
- Child benefits (Gov.uk)
- Contraception (NHS)
- Feeding your baby (MCHFT)
- Guide to immunisations for babies born on, or after 1 January 2020 (Gov.uk)
- Instruction video of how to administer Dalteparin, Low Molecular Weignt Heparin (Pfizer)
- Is your baby or toddler seriously ill? (NHS)
- Know your breasts (Breast Cancer Now)
- Meningitis Baby Watch (Meningitis Research Foundation)
This link takes you to resources. The leaflet provided on discharge can be found under: Symptoms and disease information for patients > Meningitis Baby Watch. - Never shake babies (ICON)
- Perinatal Mental Health (MCHFT)
- Postnatal Exercises (Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecology Physiotherapy)
- Registering the birth of your baby (Council)
- Safe Sleep (Lullaby Trust)
- Screening tests for you and your baby (Gov.uk)
- Signs and Symptoms of Newborn Jaundice (MCHFT)
- TB/BCG Vaccine (Gov.uk)
Follow up appointments
You will receive a home visit by a Community Midwife within 36 hours following discharge from hospital or after the Midwife has left following a homebirth.
Visits will be planned according to you and your baby's needs.
A visit from a Midwife or Community Support Worker will be arranged for when your baby is five days old, to weigh your baby and carry out the Newborn Blood Spot test (more information can be found on Screening tests for you and your baby). This may be a home visit or a community based postnatal clinic.
Further visits with a Midwife can be arranged depending on your wishes, and the needs of you and your baby. You are likely to be discharged from midwifery care between 10-14 days after birth if you no longer require midwifery support. A Midwife can continute to visit you up to 28 days following the birth of your baby, if this is what you require. These may be home visits or community based postnatal clinics.
A Health Visitor will visit your home when your baby is 10-14 days old. To find out more about Health Visitors and the service they provide in your area please visit the following links:
