Childbirth

Stage Three of Childbirth

Okay, your baby has been born, however childbirth is not quite over for you. The attending nurses while be caring for your little one while your doctor aids in delivering the placenta.

Once again, your uterus will begin to contract. Normally the first contractions will separate the placenta from your uterine wall. The doctor will know when this has occurred and he or she will tell you to push gently to push the placenta out. Normally this is just one push and it is not painful or hard.

After you have delivered the placenta, your uterus will contract and become very firm. The doctor will check to ensure that the uterus is back in place around your navel and is still firm. If the uterus is not firm or in the proper place, he will massage the uterus. This is a very important process. The uterus needs to remain firm and in the proper place to ensure that the uterus cuts off and collapses the blood vessels where the placenta had been attached previously, or you will continue to bleed profusely from the blood vessels.

If you are planning on breastfeeding, this will also help your uterus to contract, because while you are nursing your little one your body release oxytocin. This is the hormone that aids in helping your uterus to contract. If you are not planning on breastfeeding or your uterus is not becoming firm, you physician may give you a dose of oxytocin to help your uterus contract. If you are still bleeding heavily, you may also be given other mediations as well.

These contractions are very mild and you may not even notice them at all. All of your attention is now on your new bundle of joy. If this is your second baby or more, you may feel these contractions for a day or two.

Many times, these contractions just feel like strong menstrual cramps. If they are intense you can talk with your doctor for medication to aid with the pain. You may also feel shaky or even very cold, which is also very normal after delivery.

If you needed stitches during childbirth, you will be told exactly how to care for them and the nurses will also watch them until you get to go home. You are now ready to take your little one home and begin to enjoy each and every moment with your new baby.