Guest article written by www.baby-names.tv other birth articles http://www.baby-names.tv/Giving-birth.php are available on the site.

Immediately after the birth of your baby.. what to expect when you give birth in a hospital.

Giving birth is one of the most exciting time in a women’s life however not being prepared can also make it one of the most traumatic. It is therefore important that you find out as much as possible prior to the big event so that you are prepared for the unexpected as failing to prepare is preparing to fail!

What happens immediately after the birth all depends on whether you had a natural birth or a caesarean section?

Natural Birth

If you have had a natural birth then you will spend some time in the recovery suite prior to be taken away to one the wards. If you have had a natural birth and there have been no complications then you will spend only a relatively short period of time there.

If you have had an epidural and are still a bit groggy then you will spend more time here.

Here you will have plenty of opportunity to bond with your baby and give them that all important skin to skin contact. You will be emotional and exhausted however will spend plenty of times gazing in awe at your new arrival. Your baby will be placed in a plastic cot wrapped in a sheet. If you are breast feeding it is important that you try and get the baby to take some of your milk as this will stimulate and help the colostrum (initial breast milk containing all the important nutrients) come through.

After a short time both of you will be taken into the ward where you will be allocated a bed space and shown where the facilities are. This is the point where you should try and rest as you will need to rest as much as possible until you are released from hospital. You may find you are too excited to sleep but before long your baby will be crying looking for a feed and so the cycle begins.

Some hospitals let you leave hospital a few hours after you have given birth however this all depends on how traumatic the birth was and if you are breastfeeding or not. Expect to remain in hospital for at least a day or two when breastfeeding. This lets the midwives ensure your baby is feeding correctly and is able to latch on and get enough milk.

Caesarean Section

A Caesarean section is a totally different ball game as this is classed as major abdominal surgery however most females tend not to fret as much as they should about it.

The recovery time for this type of surgery is anything between six to eight weeks however most females are up and about the next day. This is more so with regards to females with other children where lying in bed is not an option! Most hospitals like you to remain in hospital for five days after giving birth especially if it is your first one. If it is your second child then three days is the general time for spending in hospital.

Immediately after surgery you will still feel very groggy. You may still very disorientated especially if you have had an epidural as well. Nausea is also very common but should pass as the effects of the drugs administered wear off.

You will be given the baby to hold and the midwife will encourage you to try and feed him almost immediately especially if breast feeding as again this is important for skin to skin contact.

After a short recovery time of approximately an hour or so you will be taken to the ward where you will undoubtedly be placed in a ward with other mothers who have given birth by a caesarean section.

The midwives will help you as much as possible whilst you are still feeling groggy and dazed especially with regards feeding and changing nappies. After this wears off you will be left on your own as it is important for the midwives to see you coping on your own. That is not to say they wont help you if you need it but it is important for you to do things on your own as you wont be in hospital for ever. They will not let you leave with your baby if they don’t think you can cope without them.

Feeding

The amount of time between feeds will vary from baby to baby but no mid wife likes to leave it any longer than five hours between feeds. You will be given a card to mark up how much food you have given your baby or how long they have been feeding for. This card is also used to mark up nappy changes and to mark if wet or soiled. This card gives the midwives and pediatricians an indication if there are problems identified with the babies feeding and also if the baby is dehydrated through lack of wet and soiled nappies.

Most babies drop some weight after being born. This is a natural occurrence and is perfectly normal.

If your baby drops any more than 10 percent of their weight then this is an indication that they are not getting enough food and so there may be a problem if breastfeeding with latching on or if taking formula with the formula itself and might be disagreeing with the babies digestive system.

Visiting

You will find that your time in hospital will pass in a blur and your time will be spent learning how to feed and look after your newborn and before you know it your family will arrive en masse for visiting times. There will be little time for that all important rest so it is important that you rest when your baby does. If your baby is tired during visiting ask your relations to leave early and this will ensure that you get a nap along with your baby. Don’t be afraid to say as there will be ample opportunities for family to come and see you at home when you get out.

This is your time to bond with your baby. It will be tiring and there will be times when you think you cannot cope but this will soon pass.

Baby Blues

The baby blues usually strike around day three but this is common. You will be tearful and very emotional but this should pass by the next day. If it does not then let your midwife know.

Having a baby is tiring, traumatic and life changing but there are far too many positives and hence the reason why families keep on growing! In the end its all worth it so much so that many women soon forget their pain and plan the next one not long after!

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