After Pregnancy

What To Expect After Delivery

Most of the time, you will be enjoying holding your baby shortly after birth. You will be able to watch the attendant's clean, weigh and exam your little one in the same room with you while you are being attended to as well.

In cases of special care, the baby may need to go to the nursery prior to being allowed to come and stay in your room. This is often in the case of pre-mature babies or any baby that is having any type of respiratory or other problems that may need special attention. If your baby does need to go to the nursery, you and your partner both are very welcome to go in, hold, and even feed your baby. All you will have to do is ask your nurse and they will normally wheel you down or allow your partner to wheel you to the nursery so you can visit with you baby.

From the time, you entered the hospital and throughout your stay your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature will be checked. This is to ensure that everything is going great with you, just as they keep a close eye on your baby for the same reasons. They will also check the size of your uterus and rub on your tummy to keep the uterus firm and to help reduce bleeding.

Shortly after giving birth, you will be asked to get up and move around the room and even go to the bathroom on your own. The faster you get up and move around the faster your recovery will be.

If you are going to breast feed, you will get the chance to do so within 30 minutes to one hour after delivery. If you have any trouble getting the baby to latch on and begin nursing, you can talk with your attendant for help. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed that it is not as natural as you would like. Sometimes, babies need just a bit of help in the beginning.

If you are going to bottle feed, ask the nurse how soon you can hold your baby and give him or her, their first bottle.

When you change your babies diaper or feed him, be sure to let the nurse know. They will need to know how long he nursed, whether his diaper was urine or a bowel movement. Recording this information allows your doctor to know if the baby is ready to go home or if he needs special treatment.