After a home birth, a midwife typically provides several essential services to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby. These services include:
- Immediate Postpartum Care:
- Monitoring the mother's vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature).
- Checking the uterus to ensure it is contracting properly and to minimize bleeding.
- Assessing and managing any perineal tears or other injuries.
- Ensuring that the placenta is delivered completely and checking for any abnormalities.
- Newborn Assessment:
- Performing a thorough physical examination of the newborn.
- Checking the baby's vital signs (breathing, heart rate, temperature).
- Assessing reflexes, color, muscle tone, and overall health.
- Weighing and measuring the baby.