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If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy and wondering what happens after birth, learn from my experience and be much better prepared than I was!
In all honesty, I felt completely unprepared for what happened after I gave birth. None of it was bad or scary by any means (luckily, I know that can be the situation for some.) I just wish I had known more of what to expect and what was going to happen!
Even though I did a *TON* of research ahead of time and was definitely on new mom and postpartum-tok watching all the videos, there was so much that caught me by surprise. Here’s hoping I can shed some light on what you can expect following the birth of your little one!
This post is all about what happens after birth.
1. first comes baby, then comes placenta
You might think that once you’ve pushed out your baby you’re all done with pushing…wrong.
Once you get your little one out, then it comes time to push again, this time to get out the placenta. Don’t worry, this is super easy, at least that was my experience. It essentially slipped right out with very little effort from me.
2. The Golden Hour
It’s common practice these days to encourage moms to have the golden hour following birth. This is immediate skin to skin for mom and baby. It helps in so many ways! Bonding, regulate baby’s temperature, help milk production, etc.
It used to be something you’d have to ask for and really advocate for, as baby would often be taken for measurements, etc. Ask your hospital ahead of time, and if it isn’t common practice, put it in your birth plan if you’d like to experience it. My hospital encouraged it without me having to request it specifically, which was really nice.
Looking back though, I barely remember it 😂 It was such a blur!
RELATED POST: 8 Hospital Bag for Mom Must Haves
3. Sometimes The Golden Hour is Less Than Golden
Often there is more going on during that golden hour besides precious bonding with your little one.
Depending on what kind of birth you had, you likely will be stitched up to some capacity. For me, I had a vaginal birth, so just about immediately following birth while holding my baby and coming down from the fact that I just GAVE BIRTH, the doctor was down in my business stitching things up and telling me about my recovery.
Needless to say it was all a blur, and the only thing I really remember was that it was uncomfortable. They kept me on the epidural for this portion, and I used the little button to up the dosage due to discomfort. It wasn’t unbearable by any means, but at that point I was happy to take any pain relief I could have. I also had a 3rd degree tear, so the stitching took quite a bit of time.
While stitching me up she also chose that as the opportune time to let me know I was most likely going to poop myself for a while. So that was fun! (spoiler alert – I never pooped myself 🙌 )
4. baby to do measurements and stats
This isn’t a surprise to you, and wasn’t to me either, but just wanted to share that it was a quick process overall! For us, they did it right in the room under a warming lamp so he wouldn’t get cold. He was super sleepy, as most newborns are, so he was completely unfazed.
I had gestational diabetes so they had to take his blood sugar, meaning prick his heel. He didn’t flinch or cry or anything! (and he passed both his sugar checks with flying colors)
5. First Try at Breastfeeding
Either during the golden hour or not too long after will be your first try at breastfeeding, for you and baby (if you plan to try and breastfeed.)
To be honest, I had zero expectations and definitely didn’t know what I was doing. The nurse helped place my son, but he had a super narrow and intense latch, he was often being referred to as a piranha. What this meant for me was a ton of pain and bruising on my nipples. He was enthusiastic about eating, that’s for sure! But we both had some learning to do.
For the first few days of their lives their stomachs are teeny tiny, so don’t be discouraged if you and baby need to work on breastfeeding or you feel not a ton is coming out. It’s totally normal!
Also normal – for it to take some time for both you and your baby to get the hang of things. It’s a skill you both are learning together and it is 100% okay for it not to be perfect right off the bat. I didn’t get the proper hang of it until we got home from the hospital, and I think that is on the early side.
The nurses and lactation consultants in the hospital were equal parts helpful and not helpful, so don’t let them sway you one way or another. Know it takes time, and you and your baby can do it! Take what you find helpful from them, and leave the rest.
Some pain is normal, your body as to adjust. Excruciating pain is NOT. Unlatch and relatch. I learned there was a difference in the pain, some was tolerable and would lessen as he continued to suck. Some was unbearable. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to sit there and deal with unbearable pain.
Also grab some silver nursing cups, they were what healed me! Read more about silverettes in my post here.
6. Fundal Massages aka your least favorite massage
After you give birth, prepare for some not too comfortable massages.
Fundal massages basically massages on your lower stomach, where your uterus is. They’re to help the uterus contract and prevent postpartum hemorrhaging. Super super important, but not the most comfortable thing in the world, especially as your epidural wears off. To be honest, I heard this was super super painful, but I didn’t find it to be too bad. Didn’t feel great, but it’s a quick process.
Typically the first one is during that golden hour – see, not the most golden, right? Then it’s done every 10-15 minutes, depending on your bleeding.
Oh, and expect a gush of blood either during or immediately following the massage. They’ll also be checking your bleeding. Lots of checks and pokes.
RELATED POST: The Positive Birth Story of My Baby Boy
7. Coming off of the epidural is its own experience
I did all kinds of reading to prepare for an epidural, but didn’t think to look into what happens after birth! After I was all stitched up and they removed the catheter, they turned off the IV that was giving me medication. Now, this is a bit fuzzy since I had been up for basically 24 hours and just given birth, but this is roughly how I remember it.
It was a gradual process to getting feeling back. I had feeling throughout my epidural to an extent – no pain, but could move my legs. As it wore off I could feel them more and more, but they were very tired and weak.
Removing the tape that’s all over your back is painful, but brief.
Eventually it was time to try and stand up and walk to the bathroom to try and pee. They had to make sure I could pee on my own, I don’t remember why.
The nurse helped me get out of bed. My legs were super heavy, I swung them over, and then put my arm over her shoulder and she helped me get up. I was instructed to go super super slowly because of how weak your legs are and also you can get lightheaded.
I definitely felt weak, but I could take the slow few steps using the nurses support to the bathroom.
Gross thing to note – was essentially free bleeding at this point on the walk there.
The nurse sat me down and turned on the sink and gave me privacy so I could try and pee. Success! I’m not 100% sure what happens if you can’t pee, they might need to give you another catheter.
Then she helped set me up with my own diaper because you are bleeding quite a bit…more on that later.
Next she got me in my wheelchair to be wheeled up to our recovery room.
8. Diapers Aren’t Just For Baby
Yep, you’ll be matching with your baby.
Following birth you are bleeding quite a bit, so they set you up with a nice little diaper. Actually, it’s a big diaper, filled with lots of things.
It’s mesh underwear, then a big giant pad or two, then tucks pads to help with itching and pain, then an ice pack to help with swelling. It’s quite the look.
The first one was all set up for me by my nurse. You’re supposed to change out your pads (and monitor your bleeding) regularly, as in every few hours. You can of course ask a nurse to help with changing things out, but I opted to do it myself.
In the grand scheme of things this wasn’t a big deal, but it was low key annoying to stuff so many things inside your mesh underwear and then pull them up. Going to the bathroom was a 30 min ordeal!
Lots of women opt to use depends instead of the mesh underwear, I think next time I will do that.
9. Breastfeeding Cramps
Another fun painful surprise! Breastfeeding cramps are a thing. In the early hours and days of breastfeeding, nursing will cause contractions, and they don’t feel that great. I heard they were terrible, but I actually found them to not be too too bad. I have also heard though they get worse with every child, so something to look forward to.
Maybe they don’t tell you about all of these things because a lot of them are…less than comfortable…luckily it’s all happening after your baby has arrived and the snuggles make up for a lot. Wishing you an easy birth and recovery, and of course, a healthy baby!
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