What To Expect Right After Delivery

The moment your baby arrives is deeply emotional but it’s also the beginning of a physical recovery phase for you and a major adjustment for your baby. Knowing what typically happens in the hours after delivery can help reduce anxiety, build confidence, and prepare you for a smoother experience.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what new mothers and newborns usually go through right after birth so you feel informed and supported.

Physical Recovery Begins Immediately

Immediately following the delivery, your uterus begins to contract to help detach the placenta. Once the placenta is removed, your healthcare provider will check for any tears in your vaginal canal and will begin any necessary stitches if you have tears. Some women may experience strong cramps during this time referred to as “afterpains” which can be especially pronounced if you have had any previous deliveries.

You will also be experiencing postpartum bleeding (commonly called lochia). You may notice your bleeding is heavier than your period at the very beginning; however, that will taper off as the days and weeks progress. Your bleeding is your body shedding the uterine lining. Your hospital staff will take routine monitoring of your vitals blood pressure, temperature and pulse to assess if your recovery is progressing.

Bonding and Skin-to-Skin Contact

If there are no medical concerns, the plan is for your baby to be placed on your chest right after birth. The skin-to-skin time, known as kangaroo care, is important for more than just emotional reasons; it will help stabilize your baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It will also trigger breastfeeding and help your baby feel secure.

Breastfeeding is typically encouraged within the hour after birth. Even if you haven’t produced milk yet, your baby is receiving colostrum, an early, nutrient-based milk with large amounts of antibodies.

First Checks for Your Baby

Newborns have a series of routine examination to assess their biological health that includes – 

• Apgar score (evaluated at 1 and 5 minutes following birth)
• Weight, length, circumference of head 
• Physical examination for reflexes and heart/lung functioning
• Vitamin K and eye drops (to minimize potential infections)

If warranted, your baby may be taken to the nursery or NICU temporarily for additional monitoring, particularly in the case of respiratory concerns or early jaundice.

Emotions Can Fluctuate

After giving birth, it is normal to feel a lot of different emotions – happiness, fatigue, anxiety, and sometimes random bursts of crying. This is related to hormones, physical tiredness, and, likely, the emotional experience of giving birth. For some women, the first week entails what we call the “baby blues.”

But if sadness, disconnection, feelings of wanting to harm yourself or the baby, or anything else that doesn’t feel right last for more than two weeks, you need to reach out to a doctor. It’s common. It’s treatable. It’s just not usually talked about.

Mobility, Rest, and Eating

 Depending on whether you delivered vaginally or by C-section, your doctor will advise you when you can start moving around. In most cases moving around is encouraged within 24 hours to reduce the risk of blood clots. 

Once you are stable, they will offer you food and fluids. Take it slow–start with light meals. The nurses can also help you get to the bathroom and ensure your bladder is starting to function normally.

The hours and days following the birth of your baby are about healing, transitioning, and bonding for the first time with your baby. Everyone’s experiences are different, so be gentle with yourself and ask for help wherever necessary, regardless if this is your first experience or not! 

At Sugam Hospital, as a top  maternity hospital In Chennai we are committed to providing compassionate and whole-person care to mothers and babies during and after delivery. We consider your postpartum recovery and your baby’s initial steps in their new world, and we help you through that process, always conscious of your body’s needs.