Postnatal care services

Full postnatal care package

The early post-natal period is a time of adjustment, new roles and a steep learning curve – all whilst recovering from birth and meeting your new baby. The full post-natal package consists of a (number) home visits after discharge from you hospital or home birth.

We would usually see you the day after you return home, and then at times to suit your needs. Usually, new parents require more visits within the first week or two, as this can often be the most daunting time, and a time for us to identify concerns, and act swiftly and accordingly. All aspects of post-natal care will be undertaken, including clinical assessments of you and baby, support with your feeding preferences, screening tests and emotional support. If we are concerned about any aspects of your clinical care, we will refer you to your service provider for review.

Supplemental care

Some families wish to continue seeing their NHS maternity care provider, but would like time and extra midwifery support alongside this. We can support you as required. Your NHS midwife or obstetrician (NHS or Private) will conduct the clinical assessments such as BP, urine, foetal assessments etc, and we will complement that by seeing you at regular intervals during your pregnancy allowing time for health and well-being advice, consistent information, pregnancy education and birth planning, and preparation for your new baby.

We will also explore any concerns that you may have throughout your pregnancy and ensure that you have access to the information you need to make informed choices along the way. If we are concerned about any aspects of your clinical care, we will refer you to your service provider or specialists for review.

Birth partners

Birth partners play such an important role throughout pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood. Their support is fundamental, and it involves far more than practical preparation.

In many cases, a birth partner is also a parent-to-be, which means their role continues long after the birth itself. We offer personalised support for all birth partners, helping them explore what to expect during labour and birth, how they can feel confident in their role, and how to prepare for life once their baby arrives. This includes guidance on both the physical recovery period and the emotional adjustments that come with becoming a parent.

These sessions can be held in person or online to suit your schedule, making it easier to access the support and reassurance you need, wherever you are in your journey.

One off appointment

The one off appointment can be utilised for whatever you need. It may be an extra contact in the antenatal period for reassurance, or you may wish to have an extra postnatal appointment with lots of questions about your new baby! We can simply do whatever suits you to enhance your journey and ensure confidence and reassurance.

Parent education and preparation

We can support you with whatever you need as you prepare for the arrival of your baby. Every pregnancy and every family is unique, so our sessions are shaped entirely around you.

For some people, this might include learning more about water birth or how to create a calming environment. Others may want to understand epidurals, induction, or what to expect during an elective caesarean section. Whatever your interests or concerns, we’re here to talk through all the options in a clear, balanced and supportive way.

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about labour, birth and the early hours with your baby. Our goal is to help you feel informed, confident and reassured, so you can approach your birth experience with calmness and clarity.

Aromatherapy

The use of essential oils (aromatherapy) throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period can provide many benefits. Aromatherapy can provided to reduce nausea, provide relief from headaches, reduce feelings of anxiety, and even to encourage labour.

Aromatherapy can be introduced in several ways, including massage. This of course has its own benefits, primarily promoting relaxation and encouraging a calm state – the optimum state for natural oxytocin production. The use of essential oils can also evoke lasting memories of your birth experience by creating a positive associate with the scents that are used.

Aromatherapy is something that we can arrange for you – again dependant on your individual needs and requirements. Don’t hesitate to ask us about this at any point in your pregnancy or postnatal period.

Feeding support

As with all of our care, feeding support is tailored entirely to your individual needs and preferences. Whether you choose to breastfeed, bottle-feed, combination feed or are still exploring your options, we’re here to offer gentle, evidence-based guidance without judgement.

The first one to two weeks after birth are a significant and sometimes overwhelming time as your baby transitions to life outside the uterus. Feeding can feel like a learning curve for everyone involved, and we’re here to ensure you feel supported, reassured and fully informed throughout those early days and nights.

Support can take whatever form feels right for you and your family. This may include regular home visits to check in on feeding progress, phone support for questions between visits, or virtual sessions via Teams or Zoom if that suits your schedule better. We can also provide overnight support, offering round-the-clock guidance while you and your baby adjust together.

De-brief

Following the arrival of your baby, we will be on hand to go over any details surrounding the labour or delivery that you may need to discuss. There are many birth experiences that go to plan and are straightforward. Conversely there are those events that couldn’t have been predicted and can cause deviation from the normal pathway.

Sometimes it’s not clear why things have happened the way they did, and the focus at the time would have been your baby. The labour experience can sometimes feel a little disjointed and you may have felt like you had little control. When everything has settled down, it’s often beneficial to go over the events that took place to ensure clarity and understanding going forward. This can also help to dispel any unhelpful or undesirable feelings that you may be harbouring.

We can be on hand at any point (could be up to six months after the arrival of your baby) to reflect on what has happened. This is not a counselling session, just chance for you to share your experience.