After your baby is born

After you have given birth, you should be kept warm and well hydrated. You may be given extra oxygen to prevent a sickle cell crisis. 

You will be encouraged to get up and move around to help stop blood clots forming.

You will be advised to continue blood thinning injections for 6 weeks after you have given birth. This is because you are at the highest risk of developing a clot during this time. 

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is recommended, and you will be given the support you need. 

You will be given advice about which medicines to take if you are breastfeeding. The routine medicines which are recommended to you are all safe during pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding.

Testing for sickle cell disease (SCD)

Parents of all babies in the UK are given the opportunity to have their baby tested for SCD (together with other health checks). This is done from a heel-prick blood sample on about day 5 after birth.  

This is called the newborn blood-spot test. You can read about this on the NHS website. 

Contraception

After you have given birth, you are encouraged to use contraception. 

You can talk to your GP or family planning specialist. Your midwife in the hospital will also be able to speak to you about your options. 

There are different types of contraception.

You can read about contraception after birth on the NHS website.