postpartum care
A thorough newborn exam is done at mom's side when the baby is approximately two hours old. Prior to the newborn exam, baby's lungs, heart rate and temperature are assessed while mom is holding her baby.
We are certified in CPR and neonatal pulmonary resuscitation and have experience in resuscitating babies if needed.
Some of the newborn assessments include:
- Weight and Length - Head, chest, and stomach circumference
- Vitals - Respirations, Heart Rate, Temperature
- Reflexes - moro, grasp, suck, swallow, sneeze,etc.
- Skin - color, birthmarks, vernix
- Head and neck - fontanels, caput, molding, cephalhematoma
- Back - normal curve, hair tuft
- General Appearance - activity, muscle tone, cry-shrill or high-pitched
- Eyes - placement, reactive; erythromycin ointment applied to prevent blindness (state law)
- Ears, nose, throat - placement, tags, nasal flaring, cleft lip/palate, webbing
- Chest/breast - retractions, congestion, heart sounds, clavicles, movement of arms
- Abdomen - rises with chest, masses, umbilical hernia, cord treatment
- Genitals - well developed, discharge in females, testes descended, urethral meatus position, urination
- Anus - patent, meconium
- Vitamin K injection available with prescription from pediatrician
The midwife stays a minimum of two hours following a normal, uncomplicated labor and birth. If complications have occurred the midwife stays longer in order to provide excellent care for mother and baby and ensure they are stable prior to midwife leaving the client’s home.
Checkups are scheduled as follows:
- 24-72 hour checkup
- 2 week checkup
- 6 week checkup