Maternity Nurses and Midwives: What to Expect

There are so many things to consider when caring for a newborn baby. The professional assistance of a maternity nurse will help you through the new experience.

The first months of becoming a new parent are all at once exciting and daunting. There are few things in life to compare to the pure joy of bringing your child home for the first. There are also so many things to consider when caring for a newborn baby. Throw in a perpetual lack of sleep or a difficult birthing experience and you might want to consider enlisting the professional assistance of a maternity nurse or midwife.

What is a Maternity Nurse?

A professional, qualified, registered nurse or midwife specializes in care for newborn babies and postnatal mothers. A maternity nurse provides nurturing, professional support, care and education for new parents on how to care for their newborn baby. They also provide parents the opportunity to rest and recover from the birth of their child.

A maternity nurse or maternity midwife is a knowledgeable, experienced, DHA registered healthcare professional who specializes in providing fundamental advice, support, care and relief to parents and newborn babies. They help ensure the first few weeks with a new baby are a smooth, comfortable, relaxed and highly delightful experience for everyone involved. Their assistance provides parents valuable time to rest and recover from the birth of their bundle of joy. They empower new parents to feel comfortable and confident in their ability to care for their new baby once the maternity nurse leaves.

Duties of a Maternity Nurse

Maternity nurses and midwives perform a wide range of duties aimed at providing relief and comfort for parents and their new baby. Based on your specific needs and requirements, they can provide care and observation 24-hours a day.

In the case of premature birth, you can request a nurse that has been trained in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These specialized nurses are experts in providing the specific care required for nurturing a premature baby.

Maternity nurse duties:

• DHA registered maternity nurses and midwives provide fundamental advice and guidance about feeding, bathing, clothing, and establishing routines and sleep habits for newborn babies. They also physically perform all of these duties with you, addressing all of your questions and concerns.
• For those mothers breastfeeding, maternity nurses will observe, encourage and advise on breastfeeding, as well as provide breast care in the event of a  mild complication (such as a clogged duct).
• For those mothers bottle-feeding, maternity nurses help ensure all feeding equipment is clean, sterilized and ready for use day and night.
• Maternity nurses check on the baby’s well-being and growth and assist with mother’s post-natal recovery (to include post-circumcision care).
• Maternity nurses will care for your baby, allowing you time to rest and recover, to include feeding, bathing, changing nappies and soothing the infant when they cry.
• For those families with big brothers and sisters, maternity nurses also help integrate the new baby into the family, providing a smooth transition into the new family environment.
• Night time maternity nurses and midwives, help establish essential sleep routines for the baby. They wake during the evening to feed and change the baby, allowing the parents to experience a good night’s sleep.

Types of In Home Maternity Care

Each family has their own unique needs, requirements, and schedules. Depending on your circumstances, a maternity nurse can come during the day or night. In some cases the maternity nurse can live with your family during the duration of their contract, providing 24-hour care and assistance after the baby is born.

Daily Maternity Nurses: can work up to 12 hours a day; up to six days a week. Daily maternity nurses are an ideal option for families unable to provide live-in accommodations for their maternity nurse.

Night-only Maternity Nurses: work during the night and early morning hours, up to 6 days a week. They provide essential relief and support for parents who are looking for extra sleep or for those situations where the baby is frequently waking during the night.

Live-in Maternity Nurses: reside in your home, in their own living quarters. They provide round the clock care and assistance for new parents and their baby.

Is a Maternity Nurse the Same as a Maternity Nanny?

No. While some of the duties performed by a maternity nanny are similar to that of a maternity nurse or midwife; a maternity nanny is not a registered medical professional. Maternity nurses and midwives are DHA registered and medically trained to care for postnatal mothers and their newborn babies. They are trained to administer medications, treat postpartum depression, provide advice on breastfeeding and much more. A maternity nanny is simply an in-home childcare provider without medical training.

Regardless of whether you require a maternity nurse a few hours a day, during the night or around the clock, Nightingale Home Nursing has a plan that will fit your needs. We take pride in knowing that our DHA registered nurses and midwives provide parents with the nurturing support and care they need to rest easy knowing their newborn will be cared for by a professional, experienced, licensed nurse or midwife in the comforts of their home. Contact the Registered Maternity Nurses and Midwives at Nightingale to learn more about how we can help you welcome your new baby!