Page 65 - What to Expect

Going home

The visiting neuro-developmental therapist is referred to you by the Unit
or from regular follow-up paediatric clinics.

Why is it important to have medical follow-ups?

Attending follow-up appointments with the paediatrician, surgeon,
audiology clinic, ophthalmology clinic and any other specialist your child
may have collected along the way, is very important. During these check-
ups the health professional can assess your baby and answer any questions
you may have about his progress. The benefit to your child of these
seemingly never-ending appointments is that the professionals can detect
and identify any specific problems your baby may have developed, and
they can begin the appropriate treatment as soon as possible (or set your
mind at ease by giving you the all clear). Early intervention is best.

What happens after we get discharged?

After you have been totally discharged from the regular follow-up care of
your child by the paediatrician (this may take anywhere from a few weeks
to a few years), your family GP can refer you back to any of the health
professionals you have seen within the hospital, should the need arise.

Postnatal depression (PND)

It is hard to know if you have PND. True PND can be present by six weeks
after the birth of your baby. When you visit your obstetrician, GP or
midwife for your six week check-up, you may want to discuss how you
are feeling. Worry and anxiety, especially at first, is common for parents
when they finally take baby home from hospital. Both men and women
can become depressed over the stress of having a baby in hospital or the
responsibility of having to care totally for a baby on their own.

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