What happens after you've squeezed the baby out?

[hippieshake]

As you've probably guessed, this is my first baby. I feel like I am fully prepared for the actual birth itself now... but I haven't really thought about afterwards.

I'm planning on bottle feeding, not breastfeeding. Do I need to take formula to the hospital and make it up there? How many bottles do I take? Would the hospital have any of these things etc...

Also, what happens to your body after the birth? This is a topic all the baby books seem to miss out. Will I lose a lot of weight during the birth? Will I have a big empty tummy for ages afterwards?

Any advice would be great :)

I wish someone had told me it was a bit more than just feeling a wee bit glum - I thought that something had gone seriously wrong with my mind!

As well as the blood poo weeing stitches baby blues- a positive joy. The thrill of lying stomach down after so many months. And being able to pick something up from the floor. Simple pleasures...

Re. The first poo. I found it so helpful to have my feet propped on a footstool whilst sitting on toilet. Thinks it helps the anatomy get into the best position to move things along!

I tried to do a pelvic floor squeeze not very long after giving birth. I couldn't feel or do a thing. Literally no movement or sensation. That was a tad worrying.

It did come back.

I'm still struggling with my pelvic floor - I sit doing my exercises and I know that the sides aren't joining!

and i didn't realise that the pelvic floor also affects your bum muscles - makes needing a poo interesting!