WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BABY RIGHT AFTER BIRTH?

After months of waiting (and labor hours!), A mother can finally live at the moment she has been waiting for nine months: meet her baby!

There is no doubt that meeting this precious little one for the first time is an incredible experience. After giving birth, however, new mothers and their babies do not only do their work and routine. Much happens immediately after a baby is born, especially in the first 24 hours.

Later, a newborn baby undergoes a physical examination, followed by plans to prevent serious health problems.

Finally, there is an educational component for the whole family, as well as a different assessment before your baby leaves the hospital. So let’s look at some important things that happen to a newborn baby after birth.

CARE IN THE DELIVERY ROOM IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH

Immediately after delivery, a newborn is dried and a nurse separates secretions from the baby’s airways.

APGAR SCORE

Before the baby is given to the mother for the first time, the Apgar test or Apgar score is performed. This allows doctors to know how the baby goes after birth. This assessment is made one minute after birth and five minutes later. The Apgar score consists of five evaluations, all with a value between 0 and 2. The Apgar score is done based on the following five assessments:

1. Appearance (skin color)
2. Pulse (heart rate)
3. Grimace response (reflexes)
4. Activity (muscle tone)
5. Respiration (breathing rate and effort)

The highest score is 10, babies with lower scores may need additional care, including 1% of newborns who require significant resuscitation support immediately after delivery. Find more information about how the Apgar Score is measured and what it means here.

SKIN ON SKIN

When mother and baby are ready, once the baby is born, this is the best time to start breastfeeding. If the baby is healthy and there is no need for any medical intervention for him or the mother, he will probably be placed on the mother’s breast, directly on her skin, until the first food session or as long as she wants.

Skin to skin is a simple act but very powerful and beneficial for the baby and his mom of dad. A few of these benefits are:

• Helps to calm you and your baby – releases hormones that lower stress
• Creates good connections between you and the baby
• Helps to breastfeed
• Boosts baby’s immune system

WHAT IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS AT BIRTH

If your baby has problems at birth requiring other observation or CPR (or something in between), your baby will be dried and the doctor will cut the cord. Your baby is placed on a heated radiator in your delivery room.

If your baby needs extra care after his stabilization, he/she can be taken to an intensive care day nursery.

IN CASE OF BREASTFEEDING

If you are planning to breastfeed, you are encouraged to breastfeed. You will produce colostrum immediately after birth. Colostrum is the first nutrient-rich, high-antibody milk that ensures the needs of your baby until your milk arrives.

Newborn babies tend to sleep a lot especially the first 24 hours. You should know that your baby may sleep for up to 18 hours over the course of 24 hours. It is normal since he or she will be tired after the efforts of being born. Therefore, not all babies will want to feed as soon as they are born. Hence, you should not be worried if your newborn baby is not eating much in the first 24 hours.

IN CASE OF C-SECTION

If you undergo a cesarean section, your baby will be given to a nurse or doctor as soon as it is delivered and taken to a radiator. She will be dried, her mouth and nasal cavities will be sucked up, an Apgar rating will be made and she will have any other attention she needs.

BATH AND EXAMINATION IN THE HOSPITAL

If the temperature of your baby has been stable for at least a few hours, a nurse will give her or him a sponge bath and wash her hair if necessary. Bathing usually takes place in the nursery, where the baby is exposed to radiant heat to warm up later, but you can ask your child to bathe in your room, then make contact with you and cover it with a towel. Blanket to stay warm.

Your baby will receive a complete pediatric examination. The same as the bath, this is usually done in the nursery but can be done in your room instead.

Some mothers prefer that their babies spend time in the nursery to rest. Others do not want to be separated for a while, not even for exams and procedures.

ARE YOU RECEIVING A HEPATITIS B SHOT?

Your baby must receive his first dose of hepatitis B vaccine before he leaves the hospital. If you have hepatitis B or if your status is unknown, your baby must be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth.

DOES THE BABY HAVE A CIRCUMCISION?

If you have decided to circumcise your little boy (and later not plan a ritual circumcision), this is usually done a day or two after birth.

WHEN CAN WE GO HOME?

Finally! The moment when all new mothers were waiting – taking their babies home!

Once the hospital has confirmed that their mother and baby are healthy, they may return home. Before they leave, new parents may need to follow an exit class. An employee looks at all forms that new parents must take care of, such as collecting a social security card a birth certificate as well as any insurance questions. Once the green light has been given, the new family can go home!