Understanding your postnatal care: Who will support you after birth

After giving birth, most mothers and birthing people receive a range of support from NHS community services to help them recover and care for their new baby. But it can be confusing to know who does what, and when to expect contact. Here's a guide to the different professionals involved in your postnatal care and what you can expect in North Yorkshire.

What is community postnatal care?

Community postnatal care refers to the support mothers and babies receive at home or in local clinics after being discharged from hospital or giving birth at home. It includes physical and emotional health checks, support with infant feeding, advice on recovery, and early parenting help.

What to expect and when

After your baby is born, you can expect a range of support from NHS professionals. Here's a general timeline of who you'll hear from and what they'll do:

• Day 0–1 after birth: A community midwife will visit or contact you within the first 24 hours after you're discharged from hospital. They'll check your health and your baby's wellbeing, and offer feeding support.
• Day 5: Your midwife will carry out another visit to weigh your baby and complete the Newborn Blood Spot Screening (heel prick test).
• Day 10–14: If everything is progressing well, your midwife will do a final visit and hand your care over to the health visiting team.
• Week 2–8: A health visitor will contact you to arrange a new birth visit. This is often done at home and includes advice on feeding, sleep, early development, and emotional wellbeing.
• Week 6–8: You'll be invited to your GP practice for a postnatal check-up. This includes checks for both you and your baby.
• Months 3–5: Your health visitor may contact you for a 3–4 month review. This is often a phone call or clinic appointment.
• 9–12 months: Your health visitor will carry out a developmental review to check your baby’s growth and milestones.

Additional visits or contacts may be offered based on your individual needs.

Community midwives

Community midwives are responsible for your care in the early days after birth. They usually visit you at home, especially within the first 24 hours after discharge. The number of visits depends on your needs, but most people receive at least three visits in the first two weeks.

They provide support with:

• Recovery after birth
• Feeding your baby (breastfeeding or formula)
• Checking baby's weight and health
• Discussing your emotional wellbeing

If you have concerns before your health visitor takes over, contact your midwifery team.

Who provides the community midwife service in North Yorkshire?

Local hospitals:

• Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
• Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
• York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Which trust covers you depends on where you live or gave birth. You can ask your hospital or GP for details.

Health visiting

North Yorkshire Council commission and fund Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to provide the health visiting service across all areas of North Yorkshire. The minimum contacts are:

• Antenatal (usually between 28-32 weeks gestation)
• New birth visit (10-14 days)
• 6-8 weeks
• 9-12 months
• 2.5 years

Additional contacts will be delivered in accordance to need.

You can contact the health visitors for support for anything to do with your baby/child and their development. Their number is 0300 303 0916 and is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.

Your GP and the 6–8-week check

You should be invited to a 6–8-week check by your GP practice. This is a crucial appointment to review both your baby's development and your own physical and mental health.

The check should include:

• A physical health check for the baby
• Immunisation information
• A postnatal check for you, including mental health and recovery

These should be separate checks, and your GP practice should offer them individually. If you aren’t contacted by 8 weeks, you can call your GP surgery to book the appointment.

GP servicees in North Yorkshire are commissioned by NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, who cover Craven. These are the NHS organisations in charge of how the money is spent.

What if you don’t hear from someone?

• If you haven’t seen a midwife by day 1 after hospital discharge, contact your hospital or maternity unit.
• If you haven’t had a health visitor contact by day 14, visit the Growing Healthy 0-19 Team website or call 03003 030 916.
• If your 6–8-week check hasn’t been arranged by 8 weeks, call your GP practice.

Mental health support after giving birth

Feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed after birth is common. If you're struggling:

• Talk to your midwife, health visitor, or GP
• Call PANDAS Foundation: 0808 1961 776
• Visit NHS Every Mind Matters for advice and support