If you have an uncomplicated birth, you can expect to go home in three to six hours.
If you need to stay in hospital after you give birth, you will be offered a bed on Hazel Ward.
Our Community Midwives also provide postnatal care in various settings for example in your own home or a Children's Centre in your community.
Neonatal examinations
All babies require a neonatal examination within 72 hours of birth.
In our Consultant-led Units these checks are performed by Paediatricians. Midwives have been trained in our Birth Centres to perform these checks.
After you leave the hospital or birth centre
After your baby is born, you will be seen by a Midwife either at home or at your local Children's Centre on the day after you are discharge from hospital and then as needed up for up to 28 days.
During these visits the Midwife will assess the wellbeing of both you and your baby and explain or complete any routine tests.
For more information about what to expect when you go home after having your baby see our 'Going Home from the Maternity Unit' Leaflet linked above.
Click the link to download our Patient Information Leaflet: After the birth of your baby
Registering your baby's birth
All new parents must register their baby's birth within 42 days (six weeks) of the birth.
Please see Swindon Register Office: Register a birth.
Further information
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Resources
- Antenatal classes
- Antenatal and newborn screening
- Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Maternity Voices Partnership Plus
- International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG): Coronavirus and your pregnancy.
- Swindon Breastmates are continuing to offer support through online chat and video calls - please see Information for parents and parents-to-be: Swindon Breastmates
- We've put together a guide of online support for infant feeding. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your midwife.
- Royal College of Midwives website: Help us keep maternity services open
- Your baby's movements in pregnancy are a sign that they are well. If your baby moves less, or if you notice a change, this can sometimes be an important warning sign that your baby is unwell. For more information, please see the Kicks Count website: Reduced movements during Covid-19 pandemic.
- There are some changes to the normal process for registering births in Swindon - please see the Swindon Borough Council website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - What you need to know
- There is no evidence showing that the virus can be carried in breastmilk, the well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus through breastmilk - please see the UNICEF website: Infant feeding during the COVID-19 outbreak
- It's understandable to feel more anxious and stressed than usual in times like these and it's a big adjustment to stay inside all day. It's important to look after yourself whilst you stay at home, and in particular to look after your mental health - please see the Mental Health Foundation website: Mental health and wellbeing when staying at home.
- Tommy's website - please see:
- It's understandable to feel more anxious and stressed than usual in times like these and it's a big adjustment to stay inside all day. Please see:
- NHS website: Your pregnancy and baby guide
- Exercise is important in pregnancy. It's okay to go out for a walk once a day. Keep your distance from others, wash hands and follow guidance for social distancing. Please see:
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website: Coronavirus infection and pregnancy
- During this challenging time, stress levels at home may be increased and it is important to find ways to cope with a crying baby. Infant crying is normal, and it will stop! Please see:
- UK Government website: Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
- Refuge website (including the 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline)
- Women's aid website: COVID-19/Coronavirus: Safety advice for survivors
- Respect Phoneline website
- Information for parents and parents-to-be - lots more local and national support and advice
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - how our other services are affected
We're Baby Friendly
We're very keen supporters of the UNICEF/World Health Organisation (WHO) Baby Friendly Initiative (please see above) and are ourselves accredited as Baby Friendly by UNICEF.
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