On average we deliver 25 babies every day which means that our postnatal wards are very busy areas.
On this page
Postnatal ward contact details
St James’s Hospital
Postnatal Ward J5 (level 6, Gledhow Wing)
Tel: 0113 2069105
Leeds General Infirmary
Postnatal Ward L36 (floor B, Clarendon Wing)
Tel: 0113 3927436
Postnatal ward visiting times
- Friends and family can visit from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm
- We recommend having no more than 3 people at the bedside at any one time
- Your own children are welcome to visit – no other children please
Newborn babies can catch infections, so anyone who has symptoms including a cough, sore throat, cold or upset stomach should not visit you in hospital.
Your care on the postnatal ward
Our midwives will support you with feeding and caring for your baby. They will talk to you about when you will be able to go home. This will depend on how well you and your baby are, if they are feeding well, the type of birth you had and how you are recovering.
Depending on your birth, you may need medication, blood tests or a catheter removing. Your baby will also be checked over and may be offered any vaccinations or tests that they need.
Can my birth partner stay overnight on the postnatal ward?
Yes – after your baby has been born your birth partner can go with you to the postnatal ward and stay overnight to provide support if they wish. Your partner can use the bedside chair if they need to sleep – please note that we cannot accommodate camp beds on the postnatal ward due to space.
On the ward
The postnatal wards are divided into bays of four and six beds. Each bed has a curtain that can be pulled around your bed for privacy. We also have a small number of side rooms which are for infection prevention purposes or people who need additional support. Individual rooms cannot be reserved or booked.
Facilities
The bays on our postnatal wards do not have en-suite facilities. There is a shower and toilet on the ward for you to use. If you need support with getting to the toilet or shower, please ask a midwife or maternity support worker for help. We recommend that partners travel home to shower.
Food and drink
When you are on the postnatal ward you will be offered hospital food – please see the patient catering page for more information about the different menus and diets our hospitals cater for. We are unable to supply hospital food for partners or visitors so they will need to bring food with them or visit the café in the hospital for refreshments.
Guidance for visitors
For everyone’s safety we kindly ask visitors to:
- Stay dressed
- Please stay in the chair at the bedside
- The food in the kitchen is for patients only
- Keep your shoes on to protect your feet
- Do not sleep in the bed or on the floor
- We are only able to give medicines to our patients
- Do not visit the ward if you are unwell
- Please keep to your own bed space and respect privacy
- You may be asked to leave the bay when we need to perform examinations on other patients in order to maintain privacy and dignity
Please keep noise to a minimum and turn mobile phones to silent. If phone calls or video calls need to be taken, we ask you to do this quietly so you do not disturb other families who may be sleeping.
Before you go home
When you are ready to be discharged a midwife will:
- Check you are well enough to go home
- Check you are happy and confident with feeding your baby and have a plan for how to do this at home
- Arrange for your baby’s newborn examination and hearing screen
- Organise any medications you need
- Check your discharge address, contact telephone number and GP details are correct
- Prepare your discharge paperwork
Going home with your baby
When you and your baby are ready to go home your care is transferred to the Community Midwives. They will visit you at home until your baby is ready to be transferred to the care of a Health Visitor.
Maternity Support Workers work closely with our midwifery team. A Maternity Support Worker may see you at home, or in a local Children’s Centre as well as the midwife in the postnatal period. This is to offer support with feeding or the early care of your baby. They will liaise with the Community Midwife who is leading your midwifery care.
Contraception
You can get pregnant 3 weeks after the birth of your baby, even if you’re breastfeeding and your periods have not started again yet. Your midwife will talk to you about the different options available for contraception and answer any questions you have.
Find out more about contraception after having a baby.
Your postnatal health
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (postnatal) for advice about stitches, bleeding and exercises to support your recovery.
You will need to arrange a 6-8 week postnatal check with your GP. This appointment is for you and your newborn baby, and it is an opportunity to check how you are after birth. Your GP will also do some routine checks on your baby.
Emotional and mental health support
It is natural to feel a little overwhelmed and anxious when you have had your baby. This can happen after your hormones (oestrogen) drop. Symptoms are mild and usually pass within 10 to 14 days.
Some emotions are normal, but it is important to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Postnatal depression can start at any time in the first year after giving birth so please ask for help if you need it.
Your midwife, GP or health visitor can support you or refer you to specialist services if needed. MindWell and Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service also have information about support services in Leeds.
Birth Reflections clinic
If you have would find it helpful to talk through the birth of your baby, please ask for a referral to our Birth Reflections clinic.
Referrals can be made after your first postnatal month (after your baby is 4 weeks old) by speaking to your Health Visitor, GP or Physiotherapist if applicable.
Birth Reflections is a remote appointment with a midwife lasting an hour. It’s an opportunity for you to give feedback, debrief or understand the timeline of events in your care.
Registering your baby’s birth
You will need to make an appointment to register your baby’s birth within 42 days. To register your baby in Leeds please visit: Register a birth (leeds.gov.uk)
You should also contact your GP to register your baby at your doctors surgery.
Useful links
Postnatal Care and Support leaflet
Your body after the birth – NHS
Exercise and advice after having a baby
Keeping fit and healthy with a baby – NHS
Transitional Care Units
The Transitional Care Unit is for babies who need some extra care but do not need to be admitted to the Neonatal Unit. Your baby will stay with you and you will be involved in their care. Midwives, doctors and nurses will support you until you and your baby are ready to go home.