After Your Baby is Born

After your baby is born, you will spend some time in the hospital. Your healthcare team will provide additional information, help and support to get you ready to return home.

Care We Provide

  • Post-partum maternal and newborn care
  • Neonatal intensive care (McMaster University Medical Centre only)

What To Expect

If you deliver at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital: If you and your baby are well, you will stay on the obstetrical unit. You and your baby will stay together in the same room 24 hours a day. Your baby will have a cot that fits beside your bed. The nurse will regularly check you and your baby, and show you where to find any items you need. If your infant needs specialized care, we will organize a transfer to another facility.

If you deliver at McMaster University Medical Centre: If you and your baby are well, you will go to Ward 4C to stay together in the same room 24 hours a day. Your baby will have a cot that fits beside your bed. The nurse will regularly check you and your baby, and show you where to find any items you need. If your baby needs to be in one of the Neonatal Nurseries, you may stay on Ward 4B or 4C.

During your stay in either hospital, the nurses will check that you are recovering well from the birth of your baby.

  • After a vaginal birth, you can expect to stay in hospital for 1 to 2 days.
  • After a cesarean birth, you can expect to stay in hospital for 2 to 3 days.

The nurses will help you learn what you need to know and do for the first few days. You will learn about:

  • how your body heals
  • your moods and feelings
  • how to manage pain
  • bonding with your baby
  • how to care for yourself and your baby
  • how to resume your normal activities at home

After your family is discharged from the hospital, you will need to have follow-up in the community with a Family Physician or Primary Care Nurse Practitioners within 24-48 hours. It is important if you do not have a Primary Care Provider to attempt to obtain one before you give birth. For more information, please access “Need A Doc” at www.needadoc.ca

NICU (McMaster Children's Hospital)

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at McMaster Children’s Hospital provides specialized care for newborn babies and infants who have a variety of health conditions that require intensive care.

The NICU has 63 beds and provides care for over 1,500 babies and their families every year. We serve a broad geographic area within southern Ontario.

Newborn Assessment Post-discharge (NAP) Clinic (McMaster University Medical Centre)

Your baby may require follow-up medical care once discharged from the hospital relating to breastfeeding support and jaundice care. Our team may offer you an appointment in the Newborn Assessment Post-discharge Clinic where you will receive health teaching and care support from one of our Lactation Consultants. If your baby requires additional bloodwork, this may also be performed there if necessary.

The NAP Clinic is located on Ward 4C. It can be reached at: 905-521-2100 ext. 76347