You studied and probably even memorized passages from that famous book about what to expect during pregnancy. You could host seminars about what the baby is experiencing inside the bump, but your knowledge stops right at the moment you feel the first contractions. Everything after that remains a mystery. What happens after labor? Luckily, you don't have to wonder anymore because we are going to tell you what to expect right after you welcome your baby into the world.
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1. Giving birth is exhausting. Whether you are having a C-section or a vaginal delivery, labor is hard and will leave you feeling extremely tired. Those first hours after you give birth are crucial for you and you should rest. I'm not going to lie; you are probably going to feel completely lost, nervous and scared to be alone with your baby. Nothing prepares you for the emotional roller coaster ride that is motherhood.
2. You have to wait to hold your baby: Pediatricians are on standby waiting to examine the baby and make sure everything is all right. It usually takes a couple of minutes and your partner can steal glances and give you the thumbs up. The nurse will clean the baby and then you'll be able to hold your newborn for the first time.
3. Breast or bottle feeding: Regardless of your choice you should put the baby to your breast so she can drink colostrum. It comes right after giving birth and before the onset of milk and is full of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that fight disease and create antibodies.
4. Nursery vs. your room: Most Ob-Gyns advise you to leave your baby in the nursery overnight so you can sleep and recover. You can ask the nurse to bring you the baby when she is hungry. You probably won't have enough milk because it takes hours for the milk supply to fill the breast. You should talk to a lactation consultant beforehand to learn everything you can about breastfeeding.
5. Keep moving: Nurses will encourage you to walk round only hours after you give birth. The easier way to do it is pushing your baby's bassinet around the room and down the hallway, if that is allowed.
6. Ready for home: After the two-day hospital stay, you'll be ready to go home unless you have any kind of health issue. The pediatrician will examine your baby again; perform a blood test to screen for several metabolic disorders. You will fill out your baby's birth certificate form and you'll be discharged only if you have a car seat to put your baby in if you're traveling by car, which we assume you will!
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