What to expect immediately after birth?

[domuch]

The Childbirth section seemed quiet, so I thought I'd post here.

How long was it before you were able to get cleaned up etc? Were you left alone or was there always someone about? How did you feel physically? When did you let people know baby was here?

I know it will be different for everyone and complications can happen, but general pointers would be great. I don't really know what to expect.

Gave birth at 1am. Passed placenta and was stitched and checked straight away. Lasted until about 3am-ish.
Got in shower and was fed tea and toast straight after. Chilled in birthing room for a little bit as it was quiet and tried to phone people.
Went to post natal ward about 5am. Luckily given my own room as it was quiet.
Baby and me were checked as soon as we arrived at ward. Someone came and helped me breastfeed, showing me positions etc.
Baby (in plastic crib) me (in bed) and husband (on chair) all slept until about 8am.
Served meals periodically throughout day. Baby and me both checked several more times.
Discharged and home by 5pm that day. They asked if I wanted to stay another night to which I politely declined 🤣

The Midwives took such lovely care of me all 4 times. The first birth after baby and I were all checked over and I was stitched up, they gave us about an hour in the delivery room to do skin-on-skin. I was bought tea and toast pretty quickly. They stuck their head in every ten mins or so to ask we were ok. After an hour I had a shower in the en-suite of the delivery room and went up to the ward about 2 hours after birth. I stayed for 2 nights as I had a catheter and I needed help to establish breastfeeding. I was very swollen downstairs for about 4/5 days, I panicked it would never be the same again haha, but it soon heals up.

It will depend very much what kind of birth you had and where. I was in a midwife unit both times so wasn't moved until time to go home - apart from having stitches. I think that whatever happens you'll be given baby straight away for skin to skin contact (it's nice for the birth partner to have a skin to skin cuddle too especially if it's the other parent). Baby might try and feed at this point or later. You'll deliver the after birth, possibly by sitting on a bucket, which isn't too dignified. Then baby will have some checks done while you get tea and toast and probably your birth partner will dress baby so it can sleep in a see through crib next to you. You might well need stitches and you'll probably be wheeled away for this - I found this upsetting with DC1 but fine with DC2 as I knew to expect it. After you've been left a bit to sleep they'll suggest you get up for a shower and a pee - you have to pass urine to be allowed to leave hospital. You will also be given tips on breastfeeding and they're supposed to sign you off as competently feeding before you're released. Assuming you've had no problems you could be discharged less than 12 hours after arriving, as long as you're feeling OK.

I can't really comment on what happens in other circumstances - I was very lucky and this was my experience both times.

Good luck!

Very dependant on the birth. With my first it was a long, hard labour and I felt gross after but was able to be up almost straight away to have a shower (epidural had worn off so I was up as soon as I wanted). Second birth was very quick, decided against a shower in the delivery room and instead waited until I was on the postnatal ward. For the straight forward birth it was about 4 hours until we were moved to the postnatal ward - lots happening immediately after birth but then we were left to it and I was able to have skin to skin for all of that time.

First baby I got Carted off for stitches quite quickly. I don't remember when I had a shower but I could barely stand so prob the next day. My first we still had private rooms so was nice to go back to a room and have privacy.
Second baby they made me have a shower straight after I was like what are you doing to me but then grateful after.
With my second they were now cramming 2 peephole into the aforementioned private room so less privacy but not a ward.

I was violently sick after each of my kids. Within about 10 minutes of birth. With 2 of them they had to give me an injection to stop the vomiting. It went - birth, cuddle, hand baby to DH, vomit...

I'd had epidurals- and with 1 it didn't wear off for quite a long time (so no shower for several hours)
I stayed in a private room overnight for the first two. Took a long time to go from delivery to ward as they were short staffed. For one I needed stitches, and it took 3 hours after the birth before they could do that. Only after that was I taken to postnatal.

I can't remember which one, but for one a lady came and gave me a bed bath. Was just lovely. She used my shower gel (so familiar scent) and washed me so carefully and I felt so much better after. (Epidural so couldn't move much)
When I was on a ward with 3 other ladies it was very noisy.

Cleaned and stitched up quite quickly

My first I'd had an epidural and episiotomy and whatnot, baby had to go off to elsewhere to have a cannula in for antibiotics which was hard, it didn't take long but felt like ages. I had a lovely bed bath and help to get changed, my student midwife made the best toast, my DP went outside and did the phone calls while i got my stitches. I think this took about four hours before we went upstairs about 3am. I didn't enjoy postnatal but I'd been awake for a couple of days, basically, so crashed out and was awoken at 6am by the doctors doing their rounds and OBS, I had no idea where I was or what had happened for several seconds! Lots of people about, the lady scanning bladders, the physio, the hearing test lady, the breastfeeding support volunteer, HCAs as well as the midwives. Didn't get much peace but did get lots of support. I still hadn't got my legs back when baby did her first poo so another student midwife very kindly did her nappy for me (it was before visiting too). Discharge was delayed because they were waiting for a delivery of some of the meds I needed 🤦

My second i got discharged from delivery about five hours after she was born, having stripped my own bed and sorted my own shower. It had happened so quickly I wasn't even hungry so my toast was very meh that time. Was lovely to be able to just have cuddles without any faff or hustle and bustle, but I didn't need it like I had the first time either. I'd have been lost if I'd gone straight home after the first.

First DC was a traumatic long induction. I had done no research, was very naive and had no idea how to advocate for myself. I learnt afterwards that your pelvis opens up 40% more not lying on your back. I reacted to the placenta jab so didn't have it the second time.
Actually have no idea what time I moved to the ward or told anyone.

My main advice to new mom's about labour is to research, learn and don't plan, just be aware of your different options upfront.

My second DC was the total opposite of my first! I researched everything, told the hospital exactly what I did or didn't want and in what circumstances etc.

Born in 2.5 hours on the birth unit, was so relaxing and chilled afterwards. Just napped all day (had to stay due to baby) and was moved to a private room (due to my history from DC1) 12 hours later.

Told family about an hour later.

However there's things I didn't know I'd need post birth first time. Didn't actually need second time.
Lavender oil, Tea Tree Oil, Ice packs, Arnica Cream, a spray called Bottoms Up that's a numbing spray safe for down there. Worth having in and not needing though!

The Always Incontinence Pants are the best post baby things ever! No leaking, no messy pads, comfortable, soo recommend them!

Just so you know op not everyone experiences these things! Just take things as they come and wishing you a smooth delivery.
Showering was offered to me both times quite soon after birth, maybe an hour after. I went to the ward with my first but I can't really remember how soon. A few hours in I think.

I had the birthing unit room with it’s own en suite to myself for about 10 hours as no one was using it, then moved up to a private unit - we were given it, not asked to pay, because it was available. This was in an NHS hospital.. incredible really.
We told all of our family in a group a whatsapp - it was a quick labour and we didn’t tell anyone of them before. Also messaged close friends at the same time in a group chat.

Had midwives checking in maybe once an hour. My baby didn’t latch to breastfeed so that’s why we stayed overnight, we could have gone home the same day otherwise.

Top tip get your pants and maternity pads ready pre shower. So you can slip them on straight after a shower. Without getting more blood everywhere!

Had baby at 8pm ish, an hour for the placenta arrival and then stitching up. Had a shower into my PJs and the best toast, 4 slices 🤣
Had to wait for Dr to check us both over.. home for 1am. Laughed i was getting in the car in my PJs.

I felt amazing after giving birth! I was so fed up of being pregnant as soon as DS was out I just felt like the old me again. Amazing feeling having the baby here and also not being pregnant 😂No shakes, vomiting, fainting etc here. I usually faint at the sight of blood too!

I was stitched up while having baby cuddles (they numbed the area so couldn’t feel a thing). Then tried BF baby, had some tea and toast and then I got took for a shower. We were in the delivery suite for about 3 hours until being took up to the ward. The whole experience was great despite my DS being premature. Thought I’d share a positive story as so many people told me scary stories when I was pregnant! It’s an incredible experience and best of luck OP ❤️

THIS is so important. There’s is a myth of motherhood, perpetrated by not, midwives and mums who are naturally very maternal, that says you’ll fall in love with your baby instantly, you’ll recognise their cry from the 6 other babies cries on your ward, that breast feeding is natural and instinctive.
for a lot of mums that’s bollocks - and you won’t know that until you’ve delivered your first child

i remember the midwife saying to me on discharge “ enjoy your baby”, and didn’t know what the hell she meant …I was already struggling with breast feeding by then, sleep deprived after 24 hours in labour ending with emergency c- section. I was in a state of shock tbh

BUT, it does all come good in the end. Even though I got PND with first. I did fall in love with him, we breast fed till 9 months in the end, and I could recognise his cry from the other end of the mums and toddlers hall eventually.

No one here can tell you what to expect OP, it’ll depend and it even varies birth to birth, hospital to hospital, shift to shift. The best thing you can do to prepare is to find ways to relax yourself and get stress relief so you can be flexible about what happens without being anxious. The midwives can steer you, you will only be discharged when ready , but be prepared for a possibility that you may need to spend 3/4 nights in after a c-section or other complications and have that in mind

I came here to say that. I'm very fortunate both births were very quick (I gave birth within 30-50mins of arriving to the hospital both times). The pain, I don't recall it tbh. But I definitely remember holding my bawling babies on my chest directly afterwards. I felt like the birds were chirping, everyone was smiling and everything was sunshine, rainbows and light (one was born at nearly 2am but okay).

The tea and toast OMG. I've chosen to have no more children, and the fact there will be nothing quite like seeing that tea and toast on the tray ... It saddens me!

I'm a neat freak, or was before 2 toddlers made it their personal mission to destroy the house. I had never held a new born and I was shitting myself... about the possibility of shitting myself and I don't like being naked. BUT with both births, I just couldn't have cared less. Both births my waters broke as I started pushing and I had a fair amount of bleeding. Both times the girls shat on me / pissed on me in that first golden hour of skin on skin. The first birth the student midwife dropped the placenta on the floor to the most almighty bloody SPLAT/SPLASH.

However, I just care. The euphoria and most probably shock is very distracting. Your body just takes over and it doesn't seem to matter at all. Then they put this tiny baby in your arms and you don't even really realise they're still fiddling around down below. It just doesn't matter - you just brought a life into the world!!!

2 things I'd warn you about- blood travels in water so that first shower is a bit alarming. Especially if you're like me and have never had experience of hospitals/injuries. (That being said a friend had an epidural and they packed her afterwards so she had next to no bleeding).

The other thing is that the tea and toast reviews are massively overblown. Both times I wasn't hungry, the toast was very dry! Biggest disappointment of the day!!

Good luck to you!

Take more snacks than you think you’ll eat, good ones too!

Snacks seem v v important

I am loving these stories.

Exhausted and dazed but I showered quickly as wanted to not be covered in blood. I didn’t go to the ward I went straight home with both births.

Exciting times. Both my births were very quick and I managed through relatively unscathed. No stitches luckily. Once placenta was out I was straight in the shower within half an hour. I felt great. Probably all the adrenaline. Once a day or two passed I started to feel pretty sore and crampy. then you get your milk in etc. Just take it easy and don't push your self too hard. I made the mistake of forgetting I'd just had a baby doing everything normally for a few days then feeling like I'd been hit by a bus.

Does it sound silly to say that I haven't really imagined having visitors at home? I don't know why it seems easier to imagine people visiting in the hospital and having my home to myself.

Worth noting as well, you do not have to have any visitors in either the hospital or at home. You are in charge, this is your birth and your baby so it's your say.

Ive only had one hospital birth, and it was a c-section. The birth was great, but then I started vomiting when I was up on the ward and barely stopped for the next eight hours. The nurses just shrugged and told me that nothing could be done because the surgeon hadn’t authorised anti-sickness meds.

When it finally stopped I’d missed mealtimes, didn’t even get toast! Early next morning a lovely cleaner brought me a couple of slices of bread from somewhere or other because I wasn’t quick enough at getting to the ward breakfast and it had all gone. Spent the rest of the day repeatedly opening the nearest window every time the nurses shut it because the ward was hotter than hades and it was mid-winter.

Other dc was a home birth.

First birth I had to be very mobile straight after, which I found fine, they did give me some amazing pain relief though (which was administered through the anal passage, wasn't expecting it 😂 but worked wonders).

Second birth was quick and intense and it took quite a few weeks to recover, my whole body hurt. Not to a level that I couldn't do what I needed to do though. I was home within hours of the birth that time.

I recommend having some pad ice packs on standby - they are bliss. You very quickly adapt to any pain or discomfort caused by the birth in my experience. Also might be worth sharing that once your milk comes in (which can take a few days) - it can make your breasts lumpy. This is very normal.

Baby born at 3.30am - was up to ward about 7/8am as unfortunately had to stay 12 hours due to meconium in waters 😫
had immediate skin to skin, birthed placenta, breastfed both sides, stitches done (not bad) anti D infection and bloods, more breastfeeding, partner had skin to skin, went in the shower, dressed baby, had tea and toast and chilled in the room having cuddles - left alone for half hour at least I’d say. Then wheeled up to ward. Felt buzzing like I had ran a marathon, couldn’t sleep or eat much, partner had to go home due to covid rules, but came back after a nap, I still hasn’t slept - was desperate to get home but had overnight stay, was awake all night, baby cluster fed and was in a room with twins who screamed all night. Finally got home about 3pm next day - was so ready to leave at that point!