If you are pregnant, you may have been reading up and attending a lot of classes on labour and delivery. As you get ready for the big day, it’s also a good idea to educate yourself on what happens right after your baby arrives, especially during the first 24 hours after giving birth.
How you feel physically and emotionally after giving birth is a unique experience that varies from mother to mother.
Physically, your body may be healing from the birthing experience. Depending on the type of birth you had, you may experience discomfort or soreness.
Emotionally, the first 24 hours can be a rollercoaster ride. You may find yourself overwhelmed with love and joy as you hold your precious baby for the first time. At the same time, you might experience moments of vulnerability, uncertainty, or even sadness. It’s important to remember that these emotions are all part of the journey of becoming a mother, and that, every feeling you experience is completely normal.
Know when is your ovulation with this test kit!
A Mum’s First 24 Hours After Birth
Here is what you can expect in the hours immediately after welcoming your little one into the world:
You deliver the placenta
Within 5 to 30 minutes after giving birth, there’s another significant moment – the delivery of the placenta.
If you’ve had a C-section, your placenta will be delivered by your doctor as part of the surgery.
Skin-To-Skin Contact
After a vaginal birth, it’s a beautiful moment when your baby is placed on your bare chest right away for some much-cherished skin-to-skin contact. This heartwarming moment not only reduces crying but also helps your baby find comfort and warmth, encouraging healthy sleep and feeding patterns.
The first hour after birth is special, and is often referred to as the “golden hour.”
During this precious time, your little one is naturally awake and alert, and ready to connect with you in the most intimate way.
Your soothing embrace helps stabilise your baby’s body temperature and keeps them warm. As you hold your little one close, their heartbeat and breathing become more stable, and their tiny body is filled with oxygen-rich blood.
And let’s not forget about the wonders of breastfeeding. Your baby’s sucking reflex is the most intense in the first hour after birth. Skin-to-skin contact during this hour boosts the chances of a successful start to this beautiful journey, nourishing your baby and forging an unbreakable bond. As you embrace your little one, your stress melts away, replaced by a surge of oxytocin, that deepens your connection and enhances breastfeeding.
Whether you deliver vaginally or have a caesarean section, as long as you and your baby are healthy and don’t require immediate medical attention, this magical skin-to-skin contact is possible.
Your baby’s first 24 hours
After some blissful moments of skin-to-skin contact with your precious newborn, the medical team will conduct a thorough examination of your baby. Here’s what you can expect:
Examination: Your baby will be gently cleaned, weighed, and measured. The doctors and nurses will carefully observe their activity, heart rate, reflexes, appearance, and breathing.
Vitamin K shot: To safeguard against bleeding, your baby will receive a vitamin K shot.
Identification: Your baby will be given precious identification bands, ensuring their safety and proper identification.
Additional health checks: Within the first 24 hours, your baby’s weight, length, head circumference, temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate will be measured and assessed. Your baby will typically undergo a hearing screening after 24 hours of birth.
Immunisations: At this time, it is strongly recommended that your baby receives their first dose of Hepatitis B and BCG vaccines, which will offer them protection against serious diseases.
During your baby’s first day, you will gradually begin taking care of them. If you choose to exclusively breastfeed, it is recommended to feed your little one on-demand, which means approximately 8-12 times per day. The hospital nurses will be there to support you, assisting with diaper changes, umbilical cord stump care, and bath time.
Within the first 24 hours, your baby will pass urine and meconium (black, sticky newborn faeces). Your baby’s poo will change in colour and consistency over the next few days. Your baby will also be weighed again before your discharge from the hospital, and it’s common for them to have lost some weight during this time.
In the initial hours, your baby may be quiet and sleepy or cry frequently. This could be due to hunger, tiredness, or discomfort from being too hot or cold. It can be challenging not knowing why your baby is crying, but with time, you will learn their cues and become better at soothing them.
Breastfeeding for the first time
Once you and your baby are cleaned up, you’ll have the opportunity to breastfeed for the first time, if you choose. It can take a few days for you to produce breast milk but once you and your baby have established skin-to-skin bonding, your baby will naturally start showing cues for breastfeeding readiness. This is the ideal time to initiate direct latch breastfeeding. By doing so, you can stimulate milk production, aid in uterine contraction, and minimise lochia. Your delivery nurses can help you with positioning and getting your baby to latch on.
Mummy, you’ll realise that your body is quite amazing and has already started to produce colostrum, the perfect first food for your baby. Colostrum is thick and often yellowish, and is packed with antibodies to boost your baby’s immune system. It contains all the necessary nutrients for your little one’s tiny tummy.
It’s important to remember that breastfeeding is a learning process for both you and your baby, and it may not always come naturally. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant while in the hospital if you have any concerns.
Post-birth contractions
You may experience post-birth pains as your uterus starts to contract to its pre-pregnancy size. These pains can resemble the discomfort of period cramps or even echoes of labour pains, and you can expect them to last a couple of weeks.
In the weeks following childbirth, your uterus will continue its journey of healing and recovery. While still enlarged, it gradually contracts and becomes smaller over the course of two weeks.
Here’s some great news for mums who are planning to breastfeed – breastfeeding not only nourishes your baby, it also helps your uterus contract and aids in its return to its pre-pregnancy size.
Bleeding
It’s also important to know that If you have a vaginal delivery or Caesarean section, you will experience bleeding from your vagina after giving birth. This bleeding is called ‘lochia’ and it’s completely normal.
In the first 24 hours, the bleeding can be quite heavy, similar to a heavy period, and you might also pass some lochia clots. The bleeding will continue for about 4 to 6 weeks, gradually decreasing over time.
Remember, this postpartum bleeding, or lochia, is a natural part of your body’s healing process after childbirth. It’s important to take care of yourself during this time, rest as much as you can, and reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. You’re doing an amazing job, and your body is going through an incredible journey of recovery.
Constipation
Every mum will feel different after giving birth. It’s common for new mums to encounter challenges when it comes to using the toilet. Many women worry about their first postpartum bowel movement because they fear they’ll tear the stitches.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids and eat lots of fibre-rich foods to make bathroom trips easier.
You may also feel unsteady on your feet, mummy. Take it slow, or ask for help.
How long will I need to stay in hospital?
After a normal delivery, you can typically expect to stay in the hospital for up to 3 days. However, if you have had a Caesarean section, the average length of hospital stay is a bit longer, around 4 days.
These timeframes provide a general idea but keep in mind that the actual length of your stay may vary based on individual circumstances and your doctor’s recommendations.
Support for your motherhood journey
Mummy, you are embarking on an incredible journey with your little one. The first 24 hours after giving birth can be a mix of emotions, and it’s essential to embrace and honour every feeling you experience. Take care of yourself, lean on your support system, and trust that you have everything it takes to be an amazing mother.
If you are looking for a maternity hospital in Singapore, you might want to consider Mount Alvernia’s St Anne Mother & Child Centre (SAMCC). The centre houses three floors of maternity wards with single beds, with a nursery in every ward. These single-bedded rooms offer you the privacy you need to bond with your little one and experience moments of tranquility.
Parents will also find it reassuring to know that SAMCC is well-equipped to handle medical emergencies. In addition to clinical capabilities, SAMCC has in place critical inpatient facilities including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Jaundice Unit, and High Dependency Unit.
At their Parentcraft Centre, you’ll find valuable resources and guidance on breastfeeding, antenatal and postnatal care, and nutrition. Additionally, SAMCC offers a range of services designed to address your emotional and spiritual needs. The pastoral care team is dedicated to providing emotional support and guidance, ensuring that you feel heard and understood during this transformative time.
A cherished tradition at Mount Alvernia is to celebrate the arrival of every precious little one with a heartwarming baby blessing ceremony, regardless of race or beliefs.
Do note that for the convenience of new parents and visitors, SAMCC offers parking on Levels 3 and 4, and the parking lots are equipped with electric vehicle charging stations.
If you would like to learn more about SAMCC and the services they offer, you can sign up for their maternity tour. During the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to know more about their maternity services, facilities, and packages, and ask their Patient Liaison Executives, any questions that you may have.