Feeling a rush of connection or not
Some mothers feel an intense rush of connection as they meet there babies for the first time. Other feel exhausted. Numb. Shock or disconnection. Everyone's experience is different and sometimes it may take weeks or months to form a bond with your baby. This is Normal.
The breast crawl
An astounding instinct where baby lifts their head and starts crawling towards the mother's breast ready to initiate their fir st feed.
To assist, request minimal disruptions and place baby on your tummy, hand expressing a little colostrum can help guide them towards the breast by smell, be patient and give them time.
Skin to skin
Skin to skin has huge benefits for both mum and baby, it helps regulate baby's heart rate. Temperature and breathing. It releases hormones that hep with breastfeeding and can help support bonding. If you are separated from your baby this can be performed by dad or in the days following birth if baby requires nursery care.
Delayed Cord clamping
But for how long? The cord should stay attached as long as it's pulsating. The placenta holds up to 30% of baby's blood volume. Baby needs their blood volume to support lung expansion. Cardiac (heart) function by providing adequate blood volume, increase the baby's iron stores and support healthy brain function. We also know that later cord clamping can lead to a baby receiving millions more stem cells (which have healing qualities) than if the cord is clamped and cut early. Later cord clamping can also reduce the likelihood of severe infection (also known as sepsis) in pre-term babies. The benefits of higher iron stores are experienced for several months after birth, even if the cord remains intact for only 1-3 minutes after birth.
The birth of the placenta
For most women birthing in hospital this involves an injection to the leg with a drug that assists in contracting the uterus and expelling the placenta, this process is assisted by the midwife pulling the placenta out while placing pressure on the outside of your uterus to prevent it from falling out (guarding). Another option is too birth the placenta yourself using time and gravity.
Baby tests & medications
1. An oxygen probe placed on baby's right wrist to monitor if baby's respiratory system is transitioning from in utero to ex utero.
2.Vitamin k given orally or by injection.
3. Baby Apgar scores. 2. 5 and 10 minutes to check baby's overall condition post birth.
4. Baby weight, head circumference and length.
5. A newborn exam to check for birth injuries or abnormalities.
Fundal massage
Fundal Massage involves your health provider placing their hand on the top of your uterus (your lower belly) and placing pressure downwards and or rubbing to help your uterus contract. This is done to prevent or stop a post-partum hemorrhage we can happen sometimes post birth.
Stitches
You will be offered a vaginal exam to check for stitches. If there are any tear's present your health provider might offer to repair these for you. Sometimes the tear will be very small and will heal nicely without stitches. Sometimes the tear may extend into the anal sphincter (3rd-4th degree) and may need to be repaired in theatre with extra pain medication.
