What happens after a homebirth?

7 days ago
3 min read

The first 24 hours

Immediately following the birth, your midwives or support team will usually help you have a shower, get something to eat and tuck you up in bed with your beautiful new baby! Then they’ll clean everything up - they’ll empty and pack down the pool, clear out all the medical supplies and waste, and put your towels in the wash. Your midwife will stay with you for around 3-6 hours after birth to support you with your first feed, take baby’s measurements and make sure you’re all settled and comfortable before they head home.

Your midwife (or another midwife from their team) will usually pop back in 12-24 hours later to check in on you and baby.

The first two weeks

You will typically have around four in-home checkups with your midwife in the first two weeks postpartum. These appointments are around 30 minutes in length in the publicly funded program, or up to 90 minutes through private midwifery practices. This allows midwives to assist with feeding and settling, track baby’s growth, check on mum’s physical recovery and anything else you may need support or assistance with. These appointments will gradually space out, for example the first one might be at 24 hours post-birth, then two days later, four days later etc.

If you’re part of a publicly funded homebirth program, you can expect to be discharged from the program at two weeks postpartum.

You will also be contacted by your local Maternal Child Health Nurse to arrange an in-home visit at around one week postpartum, with ongoing in clinic checkups for mother and baby which also gradually space out.

Some families opt to forgo this service until their midwifery care has ended. It is not a mandatory service and you can choose to decline.

Registering the birth

In Victoria it is a legal requirement that all births are registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages within the first 60 days.

This is free and can be done via this link: https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/register-birth

Your midwife should be able to provide any information you might need. You will then receive a birth registration certificate in the mail within four weeks. You will need the birth registration certificate to register your baby with Medicare, Centrelink and other services. Please note that this is different from a birth certificate. You can also order a birth certificate at the time of registration, or any time afterwards.

For more information including fees, see this link: https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/get-birth-certificate

The newborn hearing screening

Your midwife will likely provide you with a leaflet about the Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program. It is recommended to have this test done within the first two weeks, and it can be performed as an outpatient appointment in most hospitals.

You can read more about the screening here: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/amp/article/newborn-hearing-screening-test#

Screening locations and contact details are available here: https://www.rch.org.au/vihsp/contact_us/

The first two months

If you’ve hired a private midwife, postpartum care extends for the first 6-8 weeks postpartum. Checkups may move to in-clinic, but if you’d prefer to continue with in-home care, you can often opt to pay an additional travel fee. Between appointments There is support available between your scheduled appointments. Both MGP and private midwifery practices will provide you with a 24 hour phone number to call if you have any questions or concerns.

In Victoria there’s is also the 24 hour Maternal Child Health Nurse Hotline available: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/maternal-and-child-health-line

What other support is available?

Once your midwifery care has ended, or if you want or need additional support, the following services are also available:

Postpartum doulas.
If you hired a doula for your pregnancy and birth, they may also offer postpartum support sessions. If not, postpartum specific doulas can help with tasks like cooking, cleaning, baby care and emotional support.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers breastfeeding support groups, drop in clinics, classes and a free 24 hour helpline (https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au) 1800 686 268
Council run parents groups.
If this is your first baby, your Maternal Child Health Nurse will connect you with a new parents group within the first 8 weeks. Some councils are now offering second+ time parents groups too.
Homebirth Victoria also runs several regular meetups where you can connect with other like-minded families. Check out the events page for details here: https://www.homebirthvictoria.com.au/community or follow us on Instagram.
Your regular GP can also support you during this time.
You are able to see your GP for baby’s checkups rather than seeing a MCHN if you would prefer.
GPs can also provide a mental health care plan if needed.