Hospital to home: the complete guide

Before the birth, in hospital, at discharge and the first weeks home — bookings, private cover questions, baby's screening, discharge paperwork and follow-up, in one free guide.

Pouch never estimates hospital, doctor or insurance costs. Every hospital, fund and policy is different, so ask your own providers for written quotes and follow your care team's medical advice.

1. 1

   Before the birth: confirm your hospital

   Make sure your booking and pre-admission paperwork are done, and you know exactly where and how to arrive.

   • Booking and pre-admission forms submitted
   • Know which entrance to use after hours
   • Parking or drop-off plan sorted
   • Hospital bag includes ID, Medicare card and any fund card
   • Someone lined up to drive you home
2. 2

   Private cover: ask your fund, not a friend

   If you're using private care, call your fund before the birth. Pregnancy and birth cover can have a waiting period of up to 12 months. Public maternity care is available through Medicare without private insurance.

   • Is pregnancy and birth included, and is my waiting period served?
   • How and by when do I add baby to the policy?
   • Does my policy type need changing (for example single to family)?
   • Ask the hospital, obstetrician and anaesthetist for their own written estimates
   • Ask what Medicare and the fund cover before agreeing to anything
3. 3

   In hospital: baby's first checks

   Your midwife or doctor will offer several checks and treatments soon after birth. Each needs your consent, so ask any questions you have.

   • Vitamin K injection (offered at birth)
   • Hepatitis B vaccine (offered at birth)
   • Full physical check, including hips, heart and eyes
   • Newborn bloodspot (heel-prick) screening, usually 48–72 hours after birth
   • Newborn hearing screening, usually before you go home
4. 4

   If a screen needs repeating

   A repeat bloodspot or hearing test is common and doesn't usually mean something is wrong. Write down who will contact you, and call the hospital if you haven't heard by the date they gave you.

5. 5

   Paperwork to collect before you leave

   Keep three records separate — they do different jobs.

   • Newborn Child Declaration (proof of birth for Medicare and Centrelink)
   • Birth registration information for your state registry
   • Baby's personal health record (the Red Book or blue book, depending on your state)
   • Discharge summary for you and for baby
   • Instructions for any prescribed medicine
   • Any hospital claim forms or accounts the hospital asks you to settle
6. 6

   At discharge: leave with a clear plan

   Your care team decides when you and baby are ready to go home. Before you leave, ask:

   • When is baby's next check, and who does it (midwife home visit, child health nurse or GP)?
   • When is my own follow-up check?
   • Any feeding or weight follow-up?
   • Who do I call day or night with a worry?
   • Which warning signs mean I should get urgent help?
7. 7

   The trip home

   For a car trip, baby must be in an approved rear-facing restraint that's correctly fitted before discharge day. Many councils and services offer restraint fitting checks.

8. 8

   The first weeks at home

   Book the visits your care team recommended and use your health record at every one.

   • Midwife or child health nurse visit booked
   • GP check for baby and parent (often around 6–8 weeks)
   • Immunisations confirmed against the current national schedule
   • Pregnancy, Birth and Baby helpline saved: 1800 882 436
9. 9

   Finish the claims

   Lodge the Newborn Child Declaration, confirm Medicare enrolment, register the birth with your state registry and order the certificate if you need it. Check your Centrelink messages for decisions, and add baby to your private policy within your fund's timeframe.