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Find a hospital Careers
  • Conditions & treatments

    icon for Conditions & treatments Conditions & treatments

    • Bladder, kidney and urinary system
    • Blood and blood vessels
    • Bones, muscles and joints
    • Brain and nerves
    • Cancer
    • Diabetes
    • Ear, nose and throat
    • End of life planning and care
    • Emergencies and first aid
    • Eyes
    • Feet and ankles
    • Food and water-borne diseases
    • Heart
    • Hormones
    • Immune system
    • Infectious diseases
    • Liver
    • Lungs
    • Medical tests and procedures
    • Medicines and prescriptions
    • Men's health
    • Older people's health
    • Rongoā māori
    • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
    • Skin
    • Stomach and bowel
    • Teeth and mouth
    • Surgery
    • Home equipment
    • Women's health
  • Immunisations

    icon for Immunisations Immunisations

    • National Immunisation Schedule
    • Vaccines given in Aotearoa
    • When to immunise
    • Book a vaccine
    • Catching up on missed immunisations
    • Preparing for a vaccination appointment
    • Immunising your whānau
    • Benefits of immunisation
    • Vaccine side effects, reactions and safety
    • How vaccines work
    • Get a copy of your immunisation record
    • Immunisation clinics
  • Keeping well

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    • Brain health for adults
    • Cancer screening
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    • Eating well
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    • Healthy homes and environments
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    • Tattoos
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    • Workplace wellbeing
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    icon for Pregnancy & maternity Pregnancy & maternity

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    • Asian, migrant and refugee
    • Dentists
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    • Public hospitals
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    • Pharmacies
    • Your rights using a health or disability service
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    1. Home
    2. Pregnancy and maternity ,current page
    3. You and your newborn ,current page

    You and your newborn

    The first weeks after the birth of your pēpi including looking after your health, problems you may experience and midwife visits to support you and your pēpi. 

    The first week after the birth

    Find out what you can expect in the first week after your pēpi is born.

    Problems in the week after the birth

    Find out about some common problems after birth and how they can be managed.

    Your health after birth

    It is important not to forget to take care of yourself after birth. Find out about postnatal checks, support at home, and your physical and mental wellbeing.

    Midwife visits

    From birth to 6 weeks of age, your midwife will visit regularly to make sure you and pēpi are both healthy and well.

    Mental health during and after pregnancy

    If you are pregnant or have a newborn pēpi, you may experience low mood, anxiety or depression. There is help available to you and things you can do to support your own mental wellbeing.

    Monitoring your blood pressure at home after birth

    If you have had high blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy or birth, you will be asked to monitor your blood pressure at home after you have given birth. You will need to do this for at least 7 days. Find out how to measure your blood pressure and when to contact your healthcare provider.

    Normal changes to your body after birth

    You can expect some changes to your body straight after your pēpi is born. Find out about bleeding, your tummy and breasts, and going to the toilet.
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    Last updated  14 October 2025
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