Postpartum home care services
Postpartum home care services provide new mothers and their babies with personalized support and medical care in the comfort of their own homes. Returning home with your newborn baby is a big change, and our in-home postpartum care is designed to help ease that transition.
Postpartum care services from Allina Home Health
Many mothers and babies qualify for one Allina Home Health – Mother & Newborn visit at no additional cost after they leave the hospital within 48 hours after a vaginal birth and 96 hours after a cesarean delivery. The goal is to check in on the health of mom and baby, answer questions about health concerns or newborn care, and provide education and support.
To learn more about home health, please call 612-863-4478 or 1-800-788-8093, or visit home health for mother and newborn on the Allina Health website. You will typically also receive information while still in the hospital, and you may be able to schedule a home visit before you discharge.
What happens during a home health visit?
During a typical post-natal home care appointment, a registered nurse will visit your home and:
- Assess the health of the mom and baby.
- Answer questions and give support about breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
- Check the newborn’s weight, assess feeding, and remove the cord clamp.
- For moms who had a Cesarean birth, the nurse may check the incision area, change bandages, and educate about wound care.
- Perform any lab services as ordered by your physician, including checking bilirubin level if the baby appears jaundiced.
Newborns with jaundice may need light therapy, also called phototherapy, that helps them eliminate build-up of bilirubin. We’ll coordinate the delivery of phototherapy equipment and provide nursing services with the family’s clinic care team.
Is postpartum home health care covered by insurance?
While many home health services for mothers and newborns are covered by insurance, coverage varies by health plan. Contact your insurance provider to learn which home care services are covered by your plan. If you have questions about any of these services, call our office at 612-863-4478.
What questions should I ask during a home visit?
Home health nurses are there to provide important health care for you and your baby, but they’re also available to educate and answer questions. Here are a few questions that may be worth discussing with your nurse:
- How do I take care of myself and deal with getting less sleep?
- How can I get support for postpartum depression or anxiety?
- How can I get support for breastfeeding and breast care?
- What are some signs and symptoms of illness in my baby?
- How do I keep my baby safe at home and in the car?