After you’ve given birth, you can expect your baby to be wrapped in a towel and put on your tummy, so you are both skin-to-skin for at least thirty minutes. This experience is important as it allows your baby to bond with you, helps with breastfeeding, and reduces crying. If you happen to have a caesarian section, then you can expect your baby to be placed on your chest instead of your tummy.

If you have a vaginal birth, then the midwife may choose to speed up the delivery of your placenta with an injection, and the umbilical cord will be cut as soon as your baby is born. However, if you have previously chosen to deliver the placenta naturally, without an injection, then the cord won’t be cut until it stops pulsing.

Alternatively, the midwife might ask your partner if they want to cut the cord. Remember that the cutting of the cord is completely pain-free for both you and the baby, as it doesn’t have any nerves.

Once the cord has been cut, the midwife will clamp it with a plastic clip near your baby’s tummy. The stump your baby is left with will naturally drop off in the following weeks.

When your baby is just one minute old, they will be checked for signs of health. For example, they will be rated out of 10 (the Apgar score) based on how well they are kicking their arms and legs, their colour and heart rate, and their breathing. The reason for this is so the doctors can assess whether they need medical attention. Once your baby has been alive for around five minutes, the best score they can get extends to ten, and most babies will attain this score.

It will vary how soon your baby wants to feed after they are born, but in general, you will be encouraged to try feeding them at around thirty minutes.

You will stay in your delivery suite for a couple of hours after the birth. If you had any perineal tearing during the birth, you will be stitched up by the doctor or midwife while in the delivery room. During this time, you’ll be offered the chance to have a shower, wash, and also pee. In the meantime, your baby will be weighed and will have identity tags put on their ankles.

After a few hours, you will be moved to the ward in a wheelchair. You’ll probably be able to carry your baby in your arms, or they may be wheeled next to you in a Perspex cot. Conversely, if you have had a caesarean section, then you’ll be taken into an observation room for twelve to twenty-four hours, where you’ll be given regular doses of pain relief if necessary.

Your baby may be given a vitamin K injection. This is because many newborns don’t have enough vitamin K in their system when they are born, a vitamin that makes human blood clot properly.

What happens during recovery?

You and your baby will be left together in the recovery room. Don’t be alarmed by this, as this is a time for you to get to know your baby better and vice versa!

Midwives are likely to be very busy. As there will be lots of other babies on the ward that need to be seen, it might take midwives a little longer to get to you if you need assistance. If this is the case, then always try to be assertive to get the attention you need.

Call the midwife early if you have a feeling you might need something. For example, going to the restroom or taking painkillers

Your partner will be sent home at night. Unfortunately, dads aren’t allowed on the ward at night. So it’s good to be prepared for this.

Finally, here are some overall tips for your birthing experience:

Bring earplugs. Wards tend to be very noisy, and you’ll want to get some rest at some point.
Always ask for what you need; don’t be afraid of being a burden.
Look into getting a single room beforehand. This will allow for more peace and quiet!
Don’t be afraid of being assertive when you feel you need help from the midwife. For example, during your first attempt at breastfeeding,
Work out beforehand who is going to visit you while you are still in the hospital.

Tips for partners

As the non-birthing partner, it’s normal to feel a little helpless, especially when you are sent home overnight. However, it can be very helpful to know what to do beforehand. So here are some ideas:

Tidy up the home, ready for the return of your partner and baby.
Fit the baby seat in the car.
Buy some flowers to bring to the hospital.
Go to the shops to get some essentials, like bread and milk.
Try to sleep a little! You’ll need it before the baby comes home.
Email friends and family about your little one’s arrival.

What happens immediately after birth?

Unii tells you what to expect in the first hours that you are postpartum.