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The fourth Trimester

Postnatal Care

Healing After Birth & Bonding with your baby

The Fourth Trimester

Whether your baby arrived through a gentle natural birth or a carefully guided Caesarean, your stay at Genesis Clinic is a precious time for healing, adjustment, and bonding with your baby. We believe in wrapping you and your new baby in a cocoon of care during this tender period. From the moment after birth throughout your stay at Genesis Clinic, our caring staff midwives will be by your side, providing continuous care and support. Your own midwife will also check on your postnatal recovery, and as you transition home, she'll also arrange the follow-up postnatal visits after you leave Genesis, including your important 6-week check-up, ensuring your continued well-being.

The Fourth Trimester is a unique and vital chapter in your journey into parenthood. These precious first weeks are dedicated to you and your baby getting to know each other, establishing rhythms of feeding, comfort, and love. It's also a period of healing and adjustment for your body after the incredible journey of pregnancy and birth.

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Your Stay at Genesis

Following your birth

At Genesis Clinic, we encourage you to spend ample time cuddling and bonding with your baby. We fully support skin-to-skin contact, which is wonderful for regulating your baby’s temperature and fostering that deep, early connection.

Immediately after your baby’s arrival at Genesis Clinic, your dedicated Independent Midwife will be a comforting presence by your side. She’ll gently assist you in initiating breastfeeding, helping your baby to latch, and ensuring you feel settled before entrusting your continued care to our experienced staff midwives.

Newborns typically feed frequently in their first few weeks, often every 2-4 hours. Your mature milk usually comes in between day 2 and 8, which can lead to breast fullness or engorgement. Frequent feeding during this time is important. To help reduce inflammation and discomfort between feeds, you can use cold cabbage leaves or gel packs. If needed, you can hand express a small amount of milk before a feed to soften the areola, making it easier for your baby to latch effectively.

The Genesis staff midwives will also be there to guide you on proper latching and positioning techniques for comfortable and effective feeding.

We also recommend practicing good nipple care by keeping them dry, warm, and applying a lanolin nipple cream if desired.

If you have stitches, we’ll guide you on how to keep the area clean and dry. We’ll show you how to regularly change your maternity pads and recommend using a peri bottle with a warm saline solution to gently cleanse after using the bathroom, always patting dry to avoid rubbing. For any swelling or discomfort, you’ll have access to ice packs, and we can provide a rolled-up towel or ring cushion to help alleviate pressure when you’re sitting.

It’s normal to have heavy vaginal bleeding, called lochia, during the first 8-12 hours, and you might pass some small clots. This bleeding can continue for up to six weeks. We’ll ensure you have access to maternity pads or sanitary padsto manage the flow. Please remember, do not use tampons during this time.

At Genesis Clinic, your comfort is important. Your midwife will discuss breastfeeding-safe, over-the-counter pain relievers that you can use to help manage any aches and pains as your body recovers, whether from a vaginal birth or a caesarean section.

Postnatal Recovery

Your Well-being in the Weeks After Birth

Be aware of these potential danger signs and contact your midwife immediately if you experience any:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Severe pain
  • Fever
  • Foul-smelling discharge
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain and swelling in your calf
  • Headaches accompanied by blurry vision

Prioritise rest whenever your baby sleeps. Childbirth is physically demanding, and your body needs time to heal. Don’t feel guilty about accepting help from family and friends; their support can be invaluable during this time.

Eat nutritious meals and drink plenty of water to support your recovery, replenish your body’s reserves, and aid in sufficient milk production if you’re breastfeeding. Remember to continue taking any recommended supplements.

Begin gentle pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to promote healing and strengthen your muscles. Avoid strenuous physical exercise for the first six weeks following birth.

Parenthood is a profound learning experience. Allow yourself time to adapt to your new role and make self-care a priority. It’s common to experience a range of emotions in the initial days due to hormonal shifts, often referred to as “Baby Blues.” Talk to loved ones and allow yourself to cry if needed. If feelings of sadness persist, or you notice changes in eating patterns, social withdrawal, difficulty bonding with your baby, or even signs of aggression, please contact your midwife immediately. These could be indicators of Postnatal Depression.

Attending your scheduled postnatal appointments is vital for monitoring your recovery and discussing any concerns with your midwife. Typical routine visits post-birth include:

  • 3-7 days Post-birth: A check-up to assess your and your baby’s recovery.
  • 6 Weeks post-birth: A comprehensive check-up to ensure everything has returned to normal following pregnancy and birth.

Newborn Care

Navigating Life with Your Little One

At Genesis Clinic, we’ll guide you on how to care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump. We recommend keeping it clean by using saline solution and cotton wool during each nappy change. Some parents also find wound powder (like Wecesin Powder) helpful with each change. If you notice any dry, crusty bits, we’ll show you how to gently clean them off once a day with saline. You can expect the cord to typically fall off within 7-14 days.

At Genesis Clinic, we’ll guide you on thorough nappy changing techniques for your baby. You can use either wet wipes or warm water with cotton wool for cleaning. We’ll show you how to ensure boys are clean under the scrotum, and for girls, how to always wipe from front to back and gently separate the labia for proper hygiene. Don’t be alarmed if you see an orange/pink substance in the nappy; these are uric acid crystals, a normal indication that your baby’s kidneys are beginning to function effectively, and it’s not blood.

Your Independent Midwife will be on the lookout for signs of jaundice during your postnatal visits, as this is a common condition in newborns, typically appearing around days 3 to 5 after birth. If your baby has mild jaundice, we’ll discuss management strategies such as increased sun exposure and frequent feeding. For more severe cases, your baby might require phototherapy and blood tests. Please don’t hesitate to contact your midwife immediately if you have any concerns.

Swaddling is a wonderful technique that helps your newborn feel safe and secure, just like they were in the womb. This gentle method also helps prevent their natural startle reflex from waking them, leading to more peaceful and longer sleep for your little one during those important first weeks.

Avoid overheating your baby with too many layers. A helpful rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are comfortably wearing. Remember that blankets also count as layers when assessing their warmth.

Caring for You & Your Baby

during your stay at genesis clinic
01

Monitoring Your Well-being:

We'll regularly check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and lochia (postnatal bleeding) to ensure your body is recovering well.

02

Pain Management Support:

We'll offer guidance and support for managing any discomfort you may be experiencing after birth, whether it was a vaginal delivery or a Caesarean.

03

Uterine Check and Support:

We will gently check your uterus to ensure it is contracting effectively.

04

Early Breastfeeding Support:

Your Independent Midwife and the Genesis staff midwives will be there to assist you with breastfeeding, ensuring a comfortable latch for your baby.

05

Monitoring Baby's Well-being:

We'll closely observe your baby's vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, and breathing, to ensure a smooth transition to life outside the womb.

"Mother's milk is soul food for babies. The babies of the world need a lot more soul food."

— Ina May Gaskin

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Nurturing Your Journey, Naturally

The Genesis Difference

Midwifery-led care provides comprehensive, personalised support, honouring birth as a natural process. Midwives offer continuous guidance, empowering you with knowledge and fostering a trusting relationship that extends from your first appointment through your postnatal recovery, ensuring a confident and respected experience.
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