What happens in the first two weeks after birth on the NHS

Before you leave hospital

If your baby was born at Queen's Hospital, Romford (or another NHS hospital), several checks will happen before you're discharged.

• Newborn physical examination (NIPE) — a doctor or trained midwife checks your baby's heart, hips, eyes, and genitalia within 72 hours of birth. A second NIPE is offered at the 6–8 week GP check.
• Newborn blood spot test (heel-prick) — a few drops of blood are taken from your baby's heel to screen for nine rare but serious conditions, including sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and congenital hypothyroidism. Ideally done on day 5.
• Newborn hearing screening — a quick, painless test using tiny earphones. Usually done on the postnatal ward.
• Vitamin K — offered to all newborns to prevent a rare but serious bleeding disorder. Given as an injection (one dose) or drops (three doses over the first month). Your midwife will discuss this with you.

Days 1–10: midwife visits

After discharge, a community midwife will visit you at home — usually on day 1 or 2, and then again a few times in the first week or two. The exact schedule depends on how you're both doing.

At these visits your midwife will:

• Check your baby's weight, feeding, and skin colour (for jaundice)
• Check your own recovery — stitches, bleeding, blood pressure
• Ask how you're feeling emotionally and offer the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale if it's a good time
• Check the heel-prick has been done and results are on the way

Midwife care usually transfers to the health visiting team at around 10–14 days, or when you're both deemed well. You'll be told when this handover happens.

Days 10–14: health visitor new birth visit

Your NELFT health visitor will contact you to arrange a home visit between 10 and 14 days after birth. This is a longer, more relaxed conversation than the midwife visits.

Your health visitor will:

• Weigh your baby and check feeding is going well
• Talk about sleep, crying, and what's normal
• Check how you and your partner are coping
• Tell you about child health clinics where you can drop in to get your baby weighed at any time
• Give you information about the 6–8 week GP check and vaccinations
• Discuss the support available locally — including the Best Start Family Hub at St Kilda's, Romford

Jaundice — what to watch for

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) is very common in newborns and usually resolves on its own. But it can occasionally need treatment with phototherapy (light therapy).

• Mild jaundice appearing after day 2 is normal and usually fades by week 2
• Jaundice appearing in the first 24 hours is always investigated urgently
• If jaundice is getting worse, your baby seems very sleepy or is feeding poorly, contact your midwife, health visitor, or NHS 111

Feeding support

Whether you're breastfeeding or formula feeding, the first two weeks are often the hardest. Don't wait until your health visitor visit if you need help sooner.

• Your midwife can help with breastfeeding positioning and latch
• The National Breastfeeding Helpline is available on 0300 100 0212 (9:30am–9:30pm daily)
• Live Well Havering lists local breastfeeding support groups

Your mental health

The baby blues — tearfulness, mood swings, and feeling overwhelmed — are very common in the first week and usually pass on their own. Postnatal depression is different: it tends to develop more gradually, often after the first two weeks, and needs proper support.

Tell your midwife or health visitor honestly how you're feeling. You can also contact the Butterflies peer support group for local perinatal mental health support, or book a GP appointment.

When to call for urgent help

• Call 999 if your baby is not breathing, is limp and unresponsive, or has a temperature above 38°C in the first 3 months of life
• Call 111 if you're worried and not sure how urgent it is
• Call Queen's Hospital maternity triage on 01708 435 076 for concerns about you (not the baby) in the days after birth
• Contact your community midwife for non-urgent questions in the first 10–14 days