WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

What Happens Right After Baby Is Born?

Childbirth
Stages of labor
What Happens Right After Baby Is Born?
The moments after your baby's birth are truly special and filled with wonder.
Let's explore what happens right after the magical arrival of your little one, with a focus on health, bonding, and the amazing journey of motherhood!
Vaginal Birth Without Forceps or Vacuum Extraction
If you've had a smooth vaginal birth without the need for forceps or vacuum extraction, get ready to meet your bundle of joy!
Most babies will breathe and cry within seconds of being born. Here's what you can expect:
  • 🤱 Skin-to-Skin: If your baby is breathing well, the magic of skin-to-skin contact awaits you! Placing your naked baby on your chest or belly can help regulate their breathing and heart rate, while also triggering your first breastfeed and strengthening the bond between you and your baby.
  • 🏞️ Cuddly Warmth: The midwife will gently dry your baby while they are on you, ensuring they feel cozy and comfortable. You'll both be wrapped in warm blankets or towels, creating a snug space for your little one to thrive.
Alternatively, if you prefer, your baby can be dried and wrapped in warm blankets or towels for you to hold and cherish those first precious moments.
Vaginal Birth With Forceps or Vacuum Extraction
In the case of a vaginal birth with the assistance of forceps or vacuum, babies may need a little more care initially. Here's how it unfolds:
  • Breathing and Recovery: While most babies breathe and cry at birth, some might be a bit stunned or slow to breathe, especially if they experienced distress during labor. If this happens, don't worry! The skilled medical team, including the midwife, neonatal nurse, obstetrician, or pediatrician, will ensure your baby gets the attention they need.
  • Cuddles and Warmth: Once your baby is breathing well, you can hold them close. Skin-to-skin contact is a beautiful option, but if you prefer, your baby can be dried and wrapped in warm blankets or towels for you to snuggle them safely.
Elective Caesarean Section
If you had an elective caesarean section, here's what you can anticipate during those precious moments after birth:
  • Skin-to-Skin Connection: If both you and your baby are well, you can have the joy of skin-to-skin contact before your baby goes to a special warming station for drying and a thorough check. This early bonding time is a fantastic way to welcome your baby to the world.
  • Warm and Cozy: If you're still on the operating table or need further medical attention, don't worry! Your partner can stay with the baby, providing skin-to-skin contact or cuddles until you're both reunited in recovery or the maternity ward.
Unplanned (Emergency) Caesarean Section
In the event of an unplanned caesarean section, your baby might need extra assistance after birth. Here's how it will be handled:
  • Medical Attention: Babies born via unplanned caesarean sections are more likely to need help with their breathing. The medical team, including the midwife, neonatal nurse, or pediatrician, will quickly attend to your baby's needs at a special warming station.
  • Cuddles and Comfort: As long as you and your baby are well, you can request skin-to-skin contact or cuddles even if you're still on the operating table. Your baby's well-being is a top priority, and you'll get the chance to hold them close as soon as possible.
Remember, if your baby needs additional medical care like help with breathing, they might be taken to the special care nursery (SCN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for further observation.
Your first cuddle might need to wait until your baby is doing better.
Cutting the Cord
After your baby's birth, the umbilical cord needs to be clamped and cut.
Delayed cord clamping, if your baby is well, allows for immediate contact and can offer health benefits. But sometimes, medical circumstances may require the cord to be cut sooner. Here's what you should know:
Early Bonding: If all is well, your birth partner can usually cut the umbilical cord, providing a meaningful connection.
However, in certain situations, like caesarean births or complications, the midwife or obstetrician will handle the task.
Rest assured, cutting the cord is not painful for you or your baby.
Apgar Score and First Checkups
The Apgar score is a quick assessment of your baby's condition after birth, measuring their heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, response to stimuli, and skin color.
It helps determine how well your baby is adapting to life outside the womb.
A score of 7 or above indicates good health, while 6 or less may indicate a need for medical help.
  • First Bookmarks: Within the first hour of birth, your baby will receive two name tags, and their weight will be measured during the first few hours. The midwife will also note when your baby poos and wees, usually within the first 24 hours.
  • Vital Injections: You'll be asked for permission for your baby to receive two important injections - Vitamin K to prevent bleeding disorders and Hepatitis B immunization. Skin-to-skin contact or breastfeeding can provide comfort and reduce their pain during these injections.
Cherish the Moments
Every baby is unique, and so are the moments after their birth.
Cherish these magical moments, and don't hesitate to ask your healthcare team any questions or express your preferences.
The journey of motherhood has just begun, and it's a beautiful one!
K
Krystal
31 Oct 2023

What happens if you have sex before the 6 weeks after giving birth?? No judgement please, just curious...

Childbirth Stages of labor
2 comments
Y
Ysabel
You get pregnant again very easily, so be careful and you need to give your body it’s time to heal it’s very important 🙌🏽
27 Mar 2024

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Anaviya
My first baby I had sex at 4 weeks & nothing happened. Every circumstance is different based on the labor you had, stitches, etc. You are a lot more fertile though !
27 Mar 2024

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Mary
10 Aug 2023

i just found out my baby has an umbilical hernia or a small oomphslocele and may need surgery right after he’s born. i’m so scared and confused has anyone experienced this????

Childbirth Stages of labor
1 comments
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Michelle
Sending you aNd the baby prayers 🙏🏼
27 Mar 2024

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Kerry
25 Jul 2023

Anyone getting their tubes tied after this? I was supposed to with my last kid but they couldn't do it in hospital after he was born and I just had too much time to think on it. This time around I've signed the papers and I really hope they do it right after baby is born but if they don't I really can't back out!

Childbirth Stages of labor
18 comments
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Nesta
They told me that I would have to schedule it after I give birth. They said they won't do mine like the same time which I think is bs cuz they are already down there ya know. Good luck momma 💓
27 Mar 2024

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Peanutt Butta
I was at first but I’m trying for ONE more boy thn I’m dooone for good ‼️
27 Mar 2024

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Destiny
8 Jun 2023

so i am so scared about not getting sleep after shes born. is it possible to get any good sleep after a baby is born?

Childbirth Stages of labor
5 comments
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Rodricka
Yes u sleep when there sleep and it depends on ur baby cause mines stay up all morning and stayed sleep through the night but every baby is different
27 Mar 2024

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Megan
If you have a partner to help you, my husband and I had to take shifts with our first son for a few weeks. Not ideal but we each got about 4 hours of sleep at night which felt like plenty. I feel like in the beginning I was able to function off very little sleep pretty easily. Your body sort of prepares you for not getting a lot of sleep initially. If baby has a hard time sleeping, just remember it won’t be for forever. They will eventually sleep through the night. My first was about 3 months when he stopped waking up frequently and we all have been sleeping decent ever since. ♥️
27 Mar 2024

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Savanah
18 Apr 2023

Dinner time I swear I’m have so much weight to lose after my baby is born 😩🫣🫣🤦‍♀️

Childbirth Stages of labor
6 comments
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Asia
So you stop at the hospital?
27 Mar 2024

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Savanah
Yes here scheduled c section 24 th Monday
27 Mar 2024

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Sara
21 Feb 2023

I'm soo over these damn nosebleeds 🙄. I hope after baby is born they stop completely.

Childbirth Stages of labor
5 comments
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Sara
it sucks. Can you control them on your own, or what do you do? Mine are soo bad that I have to get my nose cauterized. They started in October, that 1st time was the worst I was bleeding uncontrollably for 4 days until I was able to be seen by an ENT and he cauterized my left nostril. I went to the ER 3 times, they packed my nose and that did not hold 😔
27 Mar 2024

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Lin
29 Dec 2022

Mamas! who’s baby got vitamin K vaccine right after it’s born? Do you recommend it?

Childbirth Stages of labor
4 comments
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Sarina
I got it for my baby. I recommend it.
27 Mar 2024

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Ashley
Definitely plan on getting it
27 Mar 2024

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Justina Victoria
5 Nov 2022

So I completely lost my belly right after the baby was born, my weight is 20lbs lighter than before I was pregnant. I’m really happy with my results everyone kept commenting on how great I look, but I don’t like how I’m a little pudgy, with a loose lower belly, my “mom pouch” lol… my man loves the way I look and compliments me all the time but idk, I wish my stomach was just a little tighter and less pudgy lol… I guess we will have to see what happens with time … lol

Childbirth Stages of labor
3 comments
B
Bella
Same I lost belly but still have a lil pouch and hate it ... but then again it's only been a week for me you too right, we still have some time to see what happens
27 Mar 2024

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Kia
It took me maybe 2 weeks to drop the baby weight but I feel the mom pouch thing lol. I’ve been wearing high waisted pants to cover it cause it makes me insecure sometimes 😬😂
27 Mar 2024

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Stormy
16 Aug 2022

Baby insurance question. Do you have to have that before the baby is born or do you do that after baby is born? I'm not putting her on the same insurance as me bc her pediatrician doesn't accept my insurance. So I'm not sure what to do.

Childbirth Stages of labor
5 comments
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Lakendra
Your baby will have the same insurance as you until she is a month old then you can change it after that
27 Mar 2024

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Krys
Wht they said 👆🏾
27 Mar 2024

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mir
13 May 2022

My sister is irritating asf like foreal she keep telling me “ I feel you gone have another baby right after this one “ like damn B no tf I’m not … I don’t want to have another baby right after this one can my baby get here first like tf weirdo 💯😂 keep wishing that on me like I’m only about to be 19 I think 1 baby is good enough for me RIGHT NOW . Like girl just because you got 2 kids at 30 and you already be complaining about nobody can watch them you want me to be like you and fake suffer ? Like no me and my one baby is good Another one will come in a couple years if it happens it happens .. but I wish she stop saying that weird a** S*** like girl 😐

Childbirth Stages of labor
2 comments
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Maxine
Funny my fiance keeps saying that too🤣
27 Mar 2024

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Angela
Everyone is telling me to get my tubes tide and I’m not.
27 Mar 2024

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