The following grid shows all the routine appointments you should be offered in the first six weeks after having a baby. You might have additional appointments offered to you based on specific conditions or needs that you or your baby has. Please note these are the minimum appointments/contacts you should expect.
If you do not receive one or more of these appointments please contact the Community Postnatal Coordinator for your area immediately.You will be given the Postnatal Community Coordinator’s telephone number when you are discharge home.
Within 72 hours of your baby's birth, a specially trained member of staff will perform the Newborn Infant and Physical Examination. This is a thorough check of your baby to see if she or he nees referring to any specialist Doctors or services.
The examination includes screening tests to find out if your baby has any problems with their eyes, heart, hips, and in boys, testicles (testes).
For full information on this check please fo to the following website by clicking here or watch a video by clicking here.
If you give birth in hospital, you may be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you're discharged. Otherwise, it'll be done by a health professional, healthcare assistant or health visitor within the first few weeks.
You'll be contacted by your local newborn hearing screening service to arrange a suitable time and venue. Ideally, the test is done in the first 4 to 5 weeks, but it can be done at up to 3 months of age. For more information on this test, please go to the following website by clicking here or watch a video by clicking here.
Every baby is offered newborn blood spot screening, also known as the heel prick test, ideally when they’re 5 days old. Newborn blood spot screening involves taking a blood sample to find out if your baby has 1 of 9 rare but serious health conditions.
Most babies won't have any of these conditions but, for the few who do, the benefits of screening are enormous.
Early treatment can improve their health, and prevent severe disability or even death. If you would like further information on the conditions that are checked for or the way the test is carried out, please go to the following website by clicking here or watch a video by clicking here.
Your baby will also be checked over and might be weighed at this appointment by a member of the Maternity Team. This check-up may include baby's Mum being checked over.
You should have your postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after your baby's birth to make sure you feel well and are recovering properly.
Your GP surgery is required to offer and provide you with a postnatal check following changes made in April 2020. You can request an appointment for a check yourself, especially if you have any concerns. It's a good idea to make a list of questions to take along with you.
Your postnatal check should be done with a GP. It can be done immediately before or after your baby's 6 to 8 week check. But it can also be done at a separate time if you would like it to be.
You must book this appointment yourself before attending the Registrar’s office.
Appointments can be booked online or over the telephone. Further information on registering a birth of a baby born in Hampshire ( including information for those born in Portsmouth or Southampton) is available by clicking here.
For babies born in Dorset, further information is available by clicking here.
For babies born in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, further information is available by clicking here.
For babies born on the Isle of Wight, further information is available by clicking here
