from Boots Parenting ClubYou’ve done it and it was probably the most life-altering, amazing thing you’ll ever do. You’re likely to be elated and exhausted, tired and excited and a little bit in shock, despite the nine months of warning, and your baby’s first day will undoubtedly fly by. But what does it really feel like to be a new mum and what should you expect in the first minutes and hours?
Read on to find out about the first tests for your baby, how your body will change in those first 24 hours and what you’ll need to get home from hospital safely.
Your baby’s first test
The APGAR test will be carried out when your baby is one minute old and again at five minutes to check Appearance, Pulse, Grimace (her response to stimulation), Activity and Respiration. She will be given a mark out of 10, with between seven and 10 considered normal
• Your baby will be weighed and the circumference of her head measured. All data is entered onto her developmental chart, which your health visitor will give you as part of her Personal Child Health Record when your baby is about 10 days old
• Between four and 48 hours old, she will have a full newborn examination. This top-to-toe check up is done by a paediatrician or a midwife, who will check her heart, hips and eyes and, for boys, their testes too
Your body after giving birth
• The placenta
What about you? You may be given drugs to speed up the delivery of your placenta, which will happen five to 10 minutes after you’ve delivered your baby. If you’re delivering your placenta without drugs, it will take longer but the nurses will be there to help you and there are a few tricks to getting it to move, like squatting.
After this, your body will release the lining of the womb in a discharge called lochia. At first it's bright red blood, then it becomes brownish and, finally, a yellowish white colour. This will continue for anything between two and six weeks, so make sure you have a good supply of maternity pads. The more you rest, the lighter the lochia will be.
• If you’ve had stitches
Any minor grazes and tears to the neck of the womb, the vagina and the perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) usually heal quite quickly on their own. Recovering from an episiotomy (a surgical cut in the perineum) may take longer, and the stitches may be a bit painful for a few days or weeks. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to pass a stool in the first 24 hours, so don’t worry that you might be constipated. If nothing’s happened by day three, speak to your health visitor about what to do.
• After a Caesarean
If you’ve had a Caesarean, you may have needed a general anaesthetic, and not been conscious during the birth. Some mums feel very disappointed about this but organizing a birthing review with your carers and talking about what happened and why can help you come to terms with this.
There’s no getting around the fact that a Caesarean is major abdominal surgery and you will experience pain afterwards. You’ll be given pain-killing drugs and be encouraged to walk from six hours after the operation, to make sure your circulation is okay. You’ll have to stay in hospital for at least three days and take it easy for six to eight weeks.
Tackling breastfeeding
If you’re well enough, and want to breastfeed, you will be asked to try within the first hour. Don’t worry, you will be given plenty of support and advice in hospital to help you get the right position and latch.
You may feel ‘after pains’ as your uterus contracts – they’re not as strong as contractions and often happen while you are breastfeeding. After delivery your breasts will be soft, as they only contain a little colostrum (the nutritious golden fluid that nourishes your newborn baby). Mums who suckle their babies shortly after birth have a greater chance of successful breastfeeding long-term.
If you’ve had a Caesarean, lying on your side and getting someone else to help hold your baby can make breastfeeding easier for you.
Taking your new baby home
If you're going home by car, don’t forget that you’ll need a special baby car seat as the law requires it. The seat will need to be facing the rear of the car and baby should be wrapped up warmly for the journey home, so make sure you pack a blanket for her in your hospital bag as well as her going home outfit.
Did you know?
Research in Sweden suggests that contact between mother and child shouldn’t be interrupted during the first hour after birth or until the first breast-feed has been given.
Frequently asked questions
I gave birth to my baby naturally, but am worried that I might experience some kind of complications when I get home. What should I look out for?
There’s a slim chance that you might need medical help after you get home. See a doctor immediately or call 999, if you experience sudden or heavy blood loss, severe or persistent headache, raised blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest or calf pain or a high temperature (over 38oC).
Over to mum
I was absolutely ravenous after the birth, and insipid hospital food didn't fill the void. I wish I'd asked friends to bring me a home-cooked meal instead of flowers and baby clothes.’
Sally, 40, mum to Alfie, aged three
‘The most unexpected event for me personally post-birth was the amount of blood loss in the first 24 hours. When packing your hospital bag don't underestimate the amount of underwear (old and comfy) and maternity pads you’ll need.’
Jo, 35, mum to Annie, aged two, and Ewan, four
Dont forget to kit your new baby out in some funky cool gear from
Cheeky Funky
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