In 60 seconds
What to know now
- Recovery during the first day includes safe movement, bladder function, bleeding, pain control, wound checks and rest.
- Newborn feeding, temperature, breathing, alertness and expected screening should be reviewed together.
- Discharge is a handoff: leave with warning signs, contacts and a concrete follow-up plan for both people.
What you may notice
Your recovery and mind
Ask for help with the first walk or shower if you had an epidural, anaesthetic, surgery, tearing, heavy blood loss or ongoing dizziness.
Difficulty passing urine, rapidly increasing pain, a severe headache, heavy bleeding or feeling suddenly unwell needs attention before discharge.
What is happening
Baby care and development
Early feeds can be frequent and variable; support should look at positioning, transfer or intake, comfort and the baby's alertness rather than a single clock target.
Ask which newborn examinations, screening tests, preventive medicines or vaccines are offered, and when results will be available.
A short checklist
What to do now
- Practise the feeding and soothing plan with someone watching so questions surface while help is present.
- Write down the parent and baby warning signs and the correct daytime, after-hours and emergency contacts.
- Arrange transport, medicines, food, sleep space and practical help before leaving care.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- Do not leave uncertainty about how much bleeding is too much, how wounds should be cared for or when the baby should next feed.
- Ask a clinician to review the exact pain medicines, doses and feeding context; do not combine products with overlapping ingredients.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
Confirm the first parent contact, newborn assessment, feeding or weight follow-up, and any earlier review required by complications.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Learn the discharge plan too, including safe sleep setup, medicine timing, feeding cues and who to call when the recovering parent is asleep.
Contact your care team
Contact your doctor or maternity team promptly
Some concerns need advice before the next routine appointment even when they do not feel like an emergency. If a symptom becomes severe, sudden or frightening, use urgent care instead.
See when to contact careUrgent or emergency
Urgent signs during pregnancy or within a year after birth
Get medical care immediately for these symptoms. The list is not exhaustive; if something feels seriously wrong, seek help.
Open urgent warning signs