In the standard medical model, postpartum care often involves a single visit at four to six weeks. Midwifery care, particularly at New Traditions, views the postpartum period as a crucial time requiring frequent, dedicated support for both the parent and the newborn.
New Traditions Midwifery Philosophy: Postpartum care extends for at least six weeks and is characterized by frequent visits and 24/7 availability. The focus is on ensuring a safe transition for the newborn while supporting the birthing person’s physical and mental recovery.
The Midwifery Postpartum Schedule
Instead of a single appointment, care is broken down into multiple, personalized contacts and visits:
1. Immediate Postpartum (First Few Hours)
- The midwife stays for several hours after the birth.
- They perform the comprehensive newborn exam (often on the parent’s chest) and closely monitor the baby’s vital signs, feeding, and temperature.
- They monitor the birthing parent for uterine bleeding, check vitals, assist with initial breastfeeding, and ensure stability before tucking the family into bed.
2. First Week (Frequent Home Visits)
- Day 1 (Within 24 hours): The midwife returns to the home. The focus is on newborn weight, jaundice checks, feeding assessment, maternal physical and emotional check-in, and answering initial questions.
- Day 3 to 5: Another in-home visit to monitor feeding patterns, assess for potential jaundice peaks, ensure the parent’s healing is on track, and address any concerns.
- By Day 7 to 10: An office or home visit to ensure the newborn is thriving and regaining their birth weight.
3. Extended Postpartum (Weeks 2-6)
- Around 2 Weeks: A checkup, often including the state-mandated newborn screening (heel stick) and a complete maternal check-up.
- Around 4 Weeks: A check-in focused on emotional adjustment, sleep patterns, and any physical healing questions.
- 6 Weeks: The final comprehensive postpartum visit, similar to a standard well-woman exam. This includes:
- Physical Exam: Checking the abdomen, pelvic floor, and overall healing.
- Mental Health Screening: Crucially, screening for postpartum depression or anxiety.
- Contraception and Family Planning discussion.
Why This Extended Care is So Beneficial
The frequent, extended visits are directly linked to better outcomes and a smoother transition into parenthood:
- Early Detection of Issues: Frequent checks on the baby’s weight and jaundice levels and the parent’s blood pressure and bleeding status allow for the earliest possible detection of complications, reducing the need for hospital readmission.
- Crucial Breastfeeding Support: The first week is often the most challenging time for establishing successful breastfeeding. The midwife’s multiple visits allow for hands-on support and troubleshooting right when it’s needed most, significantly improving feeding success rates.
- Better Mental Health Outcomes: By spending time checking in on the parent’s emotional state, midwives can catch signs of postpartum depression or anxiety early and connect the family with necessary resources before the condition becomes severe.
- A Safety Net: Knowing that a knowledgeable professional is just a phone call away 24/7 provides immense peace of mind and reduces the anxiety often associated with caring for a newborn for the first time.
By offering this deep, longitudinal support throughout the Postpartum Period, New Traditions Midwifery ensures that the care doesn’t end when the baby arrives; it shifts to nurturing the entire family unit through the intense, yet beautiful, period of adjustment.
