After Pregnancy

First Hour After Birth

This is a very important time for you newborn and for you as parents. According to where you have your baby you may or may not have the chance to hold and bond with your little right after birth.

Many times both partners are allowed to hold the newborn for just a minute or two the very moment after birth and the cutting of the cord. Then most usually they are whisked away to be cleaned and other medical procedures are performed to ensure the baby is healthy.

However, today many health care professionals are allowing the first hour after birth for the baby to stay with their mothers and then perform the necessary medical care after the first hour if the baby is healthy or seems to be at birth.

If you would love to have your baby with you during the first hour after birth, you can request this and will probably have the option, as long the baby has been deemed healthy, has good color and is active. This will probably take no more than 5 minutes. Then the baby will be laid between your breasts.

This is actually a wonderful time for bonding. You and your partner will be able to hold your baby and talk to him or her. He will recognize your voice even at this stage of his young life.

You will have the opportunity to breast feed your baby as this time as well. It would be a great way for bonding even more moments after birth. Your partner can gently guide the baby to your breast and even hold the baby close while he is nursing. This gives mother and father the chance for closeness and bonding right after birth.

Scientific data has been compiled on this procedure and it has been noted that when the babies are kept close to their mother's body right after birth feel safe, and the transition from womb to the outside world is smoother and less traumatic.

Many parents love just holding and resting with their newborn for this initial hour bringing together the family in a loving and bonding relationship. The sooner you can hold and bond with your newborn the better.

When babies are placed against their mothers skin they cry less during the first 1 ½ hours after birth. When babies are placed in a bed close to the mother's bed, they cry around every 20 to 40 second for the same 90 minutes. Therefore, even right after birth, you baby already knows when he is close to his mother.