After months of anticipation, meeting your baby for the first time will surely be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. In addition to the big adjustment of becoming a parent, you’ll also encounter a new set of physical and emotional symptoms that begin once baby is born. These symptoms will likely be unlike any you’ve experienced before. The most common symptom you may experience after birth is a discharge called Lucia. This bloody discharge looks similar to a menstrual period and can last up to 8 weeks after birth. People also typically experience strong sensations of uterine cramping as the uterus shrinks back to the size it was before pregnancy. Other symptoms will vary from person to person, depending on your method of delivery and whether you decide to breastfeed. These symptoms include: bleeding discharge breast swelling uterine pain Many feel unsure about what to expect and wonder what’s considered “normal” after delivery. Most people make a full recovery after childbirth. Nevertheless, there are some complications and less common symptoms you should be aware of. Heading home after giving birth The length of your stay at the hospital will depend on your birth experience. Some birthing centers allow people who experience unmediated childbirth to leave on the same day that they deliver. Most hospitals, however, require a stay of at least 1 night. People who have cesarean births should expect to stay in the hospital for up to 3 nights, unless other complications are present. While you’re at the hospital, you’ll have access to pediatricians, maternity care nurses, and lactation consultants. They’ll all have plenty of information and advice for you about the physical and emotional journey ahead. Try to use this opportunity to ask questions about postpartum body changes and breastfeeding. Hospitals with labor and delivery units have nurseries where your baby will be supervised and kept clean. Though it’s tempting to keep baby by your side 24/7, use this resource to try to get some rest, if you can. Many hospitals will require that you have a bowel movement before you’re able to leave the facility. You’ll be offered a stool softener after delivery to ease the pain of the first bowel movement after birth. If you show any signs of infection, such as fever, you may have to stay at the facility until those symptoms resolve. Your midwife or delivery doctor may perform a brief exam before you leave, just to make sure that you’ve started the healing process. If you opt for a home birth, your midwife will be the primary overseer of your care after delivery. Your midwife will examine you and baby to make sure everyone is healthy before periodically checking in during the weeks after your delivery. Your baby’s health The first medical test that your baby will have at the hospital is called the AP GAR test. It takes place as soon as they’re born. AP GAR tests taken 5 to 10 minutes after birth are the most accurate. However, most physicians also regularly record the 1-minute AP GAR score. The AP GAR score is based on five factors: Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity Respiration The maximum score is 10, and any score between 7 and 10 is considered normal. A low AP GAR score could indicate that baby may have been stressed during the end of the birth process. While in the hospital, your baby’s hearing and eyesight will also be tested. Your baby will also be tested for their blood type. Some states have laws or recommendations that mandate babies receive certain vaccines or medications before they leave the hospital. The rest of baby’s experience in the hospital will depend on their birth weight and how they’re doing after birth. Some babies who aren’t considered full term (born before 37 weeks) or are born with a low birth weight are kept for observation in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to ensure that they can adjust to life after the womb. Newborn jaundice, which involves a yellowing of the skin, is fairly common. Around 60 percent of newborn babies experience jaundice, according to March of Dimes. Babies with jaundice will need to be treated in an incubator. Before you leave the hospital, you’ll need to make an appointment with a pediatrician outside the hospital to weigh and examine the baby. This 1-week appointment is standard practice. Feeding your baby The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children be breastfed exclusively through their first 6 months of life. The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source recommends breastfeeding until 2 years old or even longer because of the huge benefits. Starting within 1 hour of birth offers big benefits as well. Breastfeeding is an intensely physical experience for both of you. During your pregnancy, you may notice your areola darkening and your nipples growing in size. Newborns can’t see well, so this will help them find your breast and eat for the first time. The first milk that enters your breast is called colostrum. This milk is thin and has a cloudy color. The liquid contains valuable antibodies that will help establish your baby’s immune system. Within the first 4 days of baby’s life, the rest of your milk will come in, causing your breasts to swell. Sometimes milk ducts get clogged, causing a painful condition called mastitis. Continuing to feed baby and massaging your breast with a hot compress can unclog the duct and reduce the risk of infection. Newborns tend to “cluster feed.” This means that at times it may feel that they’re eating almost constantly. Cluster feeding is normal and primarily happens in the first few weeks. Not everyone is able to breastfeed. Some have breast or nipple abnormalities that prevent adequate lactation or proper latching on. Sometimes, certain medical conditions prohibit breastfeeding. Feeding a baby from a bottle will require keeping a close eye on how much they eat and how often. If you’re unable to breastfeed, or if you choose to formula feed your baby for another reason, discuss this decision with your pediatrician. They can help you learn how much and what kind of formula is best to use for baby.
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