your hospital stay after birth
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR STAY
Birth is just the beginning. You may be curious what happens at the hospital after your baby is born and what your options for postpartum care. You can expect to stay admitted until 24-48 hours after birth. Most procedures and tests can be performed in your room and even while your baby is skin to skin with you or your partner.
The Golden Hour
In a medically uncomplicated birth, the best place for your baby to go immediately after birth is your bare chest. This allows for skin to skin contact which is beneficial for both baby and you. Skin to skin helps your baby regulate their body temperature, vitals, and allows baby to become familiar with your scent. For you, it begins to balance your hormones and stimulate milk production through the release of oxytocin. Your new baby will most likely be alert and awake during this time. This is a great opportunity to attempt the first latch and feeding.
During the golden hour you will deliver your placenta or the afterbirth. Managing the afterbirth will be different for each provider but most providers practice mixed management in some way. This is also when the umbilical cord will be clamped and cut. Be sure to discuss your preferences for the delivery of your placenta and cord clamping when you talk about your birth plan. If you would like to keep your placenta for any reason, let your care team know when you arrive (this is a great job for your partner or doula to be in charge of).
Newborn screenings will begin during the golden hour and continue throughout your hospital stay. Most of these screenings can be performed while your baby is skin to skin with either your or your partner. It will likely be the most comforting place for you baby. The newborn procedures that are standard at most hospitals include
APGAR scoring
Weighing and measuring
Eye ointment
Vitamin K shot
Hepatitis B vaccine
Newborn screening
You can accept and decline any of these procedures. I recommend researching each of these procedures to better help you decide what is best for your family. If you have questions or concerns please, talk to your healthcare provider.
Birth is just the beginning.
The Postpartum Room
After a few hours you will be moved from the delivery room into the postpartum room. Once you settle in and the nurses leave, it might feel strange to be left alone with your new baby. Breastfeeding issues and hesitation are common and questions about care are to be expected. These feelings are normal. Nurses, midwives and doctors are there to support you as you begin to recover and bond with your baby. Use the call button whenever you need extra support for yourself or your baby — the nurses will know what to do!
At this time, your adrenaline will be surging and even after an exhausting labor it might be difficult to get some sleep. When your need for sleep catches up with you, take time to rest as much as you can. After the first hour or so, your baby will be sleepy and will likely wake only to eat. Utilize your partner and your medical team and take time to rest and sleep if you can. Although room sharing is encouraged, you also have the option to send your new baby to the nursery to be cared for by the nurses.
Bathing doesn’t have to happen at the hospital, but if you desire to give your newborn a bath, ask the nurses for the supplies. They can help you out too! If visitors are allowed in the hospital, consider limiting the time they are there and the amount of people who come. Your physical recovery and bonding with your baby is more important than grandma coming to meet the baby.
Your Body
Your body will still look about 6 months pregnant, even after you give birth. Your uterus increased 1000 times to accommodate your growing baby, over the next 6 weeks it will shrink down to it’s pre-pregnancy size. Your breasts may increase in size and begin to leak as your milk matures and increases in volume. Keep these things in mind as you pack your going home outfit. Straining during labor can lead to weak and sore muscles and potentially burst blood vessels. If you notice any splotchy red spots on your face or neck, these will most likely clear up within a week after birth. If you experienced a particularly long labor and had an IV you may notice extra swelling in your feet and ankles due to a build up fluid. Over a few days this will decrease and is not cause for concern.
Your physical recovery and bonding with your baby is more important than grandma coming to meet the baby.
Bleeding and Afterpains
Bleeding after birth is called lochia. It will be at its heaviest while you are in the hospital. To manage your bleeding use large pads, disposable underwear and chucks underpads on the bed and couch. Using tampons can cause an infection. The cause of the bleeding is the large wound left by the placenta after it detached from your uterine wall. As you continue to bleed the wound will heal. As you bleed, you can experience some clotting. Soaking through more than one pad in an hour and clots larger than the size of a plum are cause for concern and you should let your medical team know as soon as you can.
As your uterus contracts after birth you may afterpains. Hormones released during breastfeeding cause afterpains at a greater rate. These pains can vary in intensity for different women but sometimes women who have given birth more than once experience them at a higher intensity. If you are concerned with your pain level, consult your healthcare team for recommendations.
Going to the Bathroom
After birth it can be a little intimidating to go to the bathroom. Your vagina and the surrounding area could be bruised, torn and swollen. Urinating in the first few hours after birth is important. To manage the pain that may accompany urination, use a peri bottle to spray warm water on the area as you go. Defecating after birth can be equally as intimidating if not more intimidating than giving birth. You may feel as if you could tear or rip your stitches open as you’re going. Putting some counterpressure on your vagina using a warm, clean cloth can ease the fear of ripping your stitches. If you experience extreme constipation, talk with your doctor about over the counter treatments to try.
Chills, Sweats, and Wind
A common reaction after birth is to either get chills or sweats. Usually a chill will come directly after birth and can easily be combatted by warm liquids and extra blankets. If you experience a fever at the same time, this could be a sign of infection and you should consult your healthcare team. Sweating is your body’s way of excreting extra fluid build up from pregnancy. Sweating is most common at night within the first few weeks after you give birth.
Extra gas, or wind, is common after birth especially if you’ve had a c-section. When you have any sort of abdominal surgery wind can become trapped in the body. Pain from this can be felt in other parts of the body, most common is your shoulder area. If this becomes excessively painful talk to your doctors about painkillers.
Heading Home
The hospital you deliver at may allow you to take some of the care items you used during your stay like pads, the peri bottle and the mesh underwear. Be sure to ask what is available for you to take as not everything is. You and your baby will need to be discharged before you leave. A hospital pediatrician and your own doctor will come to talk to you about any last minute questions you have and any personal care instructions for when you return home. Take notes on this meeting if there is a lot of information, especially if you schedule any follow ups during this time. As you prepare to leave the hospital make sure you also have the contact information and hours of the breastfeeding clinic or any lactation consultants in your area. Breastfeeding professionals that are able to come into your home for visits are a wonderful option for new parents to get a little extra support.
Download my FREE guide “Postpartum Care in your Birth Plan” for more information about your hospital stay and newborn procedures.