You’ve waited 40 long weeks to meet your little one and he or she has finally arrived! Many hospitals have a bonding time after the birth but do you know what happens to your little one while you are recovering from labor and delivery? Here is a run down of your baby’s first activities in the hospital:
As soon as the baby’s head emerges, the doctor uses an aspirator to clear fluid out of the mouth and nose. This helps the baby breathe more easily. (Did you know that the baby passing through the birth canal actually helps “squeeze” fluid out of the lungs?)
Once the baby is fully born, the umbilical cord is clamped and a blood sample is taken from the cord blood to be analyzed later. Then comes your baby’s first test: the APGAR. The APGAR test essentially is a quick test to see how your baby faired the labor and delivery. APGAR stands for: Activity, Pulse, Grimace (reflex irritability), Appearance, and respiration. A score of 7-10 is considered normal. Less than 4-6 may require resuscitation. A score of less than 3 would require immediate resuscitation.
Hopefully soon after, your baby will be placed in your arms and you will be able to breastfeed if you choose to do so. Birth is harsh for babies: imagine being in a nice warm place and then over a period of several hours being squished and compressed only to emerge with people sticking things in your mouth and nose and patting you to hear that first precious scream.
After the initial bonding period your baby will receive an injection of Vitamin K (which helps blood clotting), antibiotic ointment for his eyes and sometimes, your baby’s pediatrician will order a Hepatitis B vaccine to prevent the very serious liver disease. It is also likely that he will get his first “bath”. In some hospitals they will do this routine first before bringing the baby to you but there is no reason that they can’t wait until you’ve had time to bond with your baby, assuming that everything is normal. Holding the baby and nursing the baby will help you too. Nursing will help your uterus contract and get back into its right shape after birth.
Every birth is different and every delivery is different. Out of 5 births I have 5 different stories to tell–not a single one is the same. While all hospitals are different it is definitely helpful if you let the nurses know if you are planning to breastfeed.
While you are recovering enjoy that special bonding time with your little one. Get as much rest as you can as you look forward to a new chapter in your life. . .
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