If you are not experiencing any major health problems, you will stay in hospital between six hours and two nights after a vaginal birth, and three nights after a caesarean birth.
If you have a straightforward vaginal birth in a public hospital or birthing centre, you'll probably go home within 24 hours. A midwife might visit you at home. If you have your baby in a private hospital, you might be able to stay longer, if you want to. Ask your hospital what to expect for your length of stay.
For at least the first 24 to 72 hours post-birth, spend as much time as possible in bed, skin-to-skin with the baby, especially if you're trying to get the hang of breastfeeding, says Jennifer Brewer, a registered midwife in Toronto.
For an uncomplicated vaginal birth, you can plan to stay in the hospital for a minimum of 24 hours – however, most people stay for about two days.
If you're both doing well, you'll usually be ready to go home somewhere between 6 and 24 hours after birth. You may need to stay a bit longer if: you've had an emergency caesarean section. you or your baby need extra care.
By waiting to give the newborn the first bath, studies show the newborn is better able to stabilize his or her blood sugar and temperature.
You may shower, bathe or wash your hair at anytime after the birth of your baby. During your first six weeks, avoid strenuous work. You may choose to limit visits with family and friends during the first two weeks, as it may cause undue fatigue for you and could also be detrimental to your baby's health.
Your baby will be examined by a midwife, neonatal nurse or paediatrician, then weighed and possibly measured, and given a wrist or ankle band with your name on. Your midwife or maternity support worker will help you wash and freshen up before you go to the postnatal ward.
It is important to note that the vast majority of hospitals have no visitation restriction on your spouse or partner. They can usually stay in your room 24 hours a day, even after you've had the baby.
Avoid stairs and lifting until your doctor says these activities are OK. Don't take a bath or go swimming until the doctor says it's OK. Don't drive until your doctor says it's OK. Also wait until you can make sudden movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.
Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed. This gives you a solid two weeks of focused intentional rest. It also helps to get your priorities in order when it comes to those eager visitors. They will get to see the baby, but they don't get to make the rules.
Husbands are usually not allowed to go into the operating theatre in case of a caesarean birth. Even in the rare hospital that permits this, if the caesarean section turns into a true emergency, or if the mum needs a general anaesthetic, the dad will be asked to leave.
Oral sex and massage can become your good friends in the postpartum. Oral sex after delivery is totally safe and the best alternative in case your partner doesn't get satisfied by massage and doesn't want to engage in masturbation.
You might find that you go up and down a lot, from being elated to feeling very down. That's normal. Many women feel teary, irritable or more emotionally sensitive than usual a few days after giving birth. These feelings are known as the baby blues, and they're normal, too.
Yes, childbirth is painful. But it's manageable. In fact, nearly half of first-time moms (46 percent) said the pain they experienced with their first child was better than they expected, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in honor of Mother's Day.
Women may experience cramping pain and discomfort following the birth of their baby, as the uterus contracts and returns to its normal pre-pregnancy size. These pains usually last for two to three days after the birth. Women who have previously had a baby are more likely to experience after-birth pains.
To cleanse the area, use the "squirt" water bottle you got in the hospital. After you go to the bathroom, rinse from front to back with warm water. Continue these rinses for as long as you have vaginal bleeding. Pat (don't wipe) from front to back to dry.
But medical advice advances with research. “Randomized control trials have shown no decrease in infections with hair removal and, in fact, have shown a slight increase with shaving compared to clipping or waxing before procedures. Hospital infection control doesn't recommend [shaving] at this time.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying baby's first bath until 24 hours after birth—or waiting at least 6 hours if a full day isn't possible for cultural reasons.
The WHO also recommends not wiping off the vernix at birth. The main reasons to wait with your baby's first bath include: Keeping your little one warm and stabilizing blood sugar levels. Babies who are bathed too soon after birth are more likely to become cold and could develop hypothermia.
“It's best to keep things out of the vagina for a few weeks. That includes tampons, saliva, penises, fingers and toys,” Dr. Zuponcic says. “Your cervix hasn't yet shrunk back down.
As the contractions grow more intense, reassure your partner that they're doing a great job and that you love them. You can also help by feeding them ice chips or wiping the sweat off their brow. And though some people don't like to be touched during labor, others appreciate a neck or back rub.
Don't invite your family, co-workers, neighbors and mailman to the hospital. The last thing a mother in labor wants is a whole village breathing down her neck. Discuss ahead of time a list of people you would like to invite to the hospital within your immediate family and close circle of friends.