The First Hours New Mum Realities: Realities of the First Hours
Goodbye, dignity! Hello Motherhood!
The first few hours after birth are intense. It’s also gross. You can be left in a drug-induced state of physical exhaustion and mental confusion, where you don’t know whether to sleep or shower.
Here are some brutally honest and awkwardly funny things you didn’t even know.
1. Newborn Babies Can Look a Little Odd
The heads are funny-shaped and covered with white goo. They are small, adorable, and still amazing!
2. Their Bits Are Massive
Baby balls that are swollen are a common sight.
3. The Devil is in the After-Pain
After-pains strike just when you think your uterus has done enough (this occurs when your uterus contracts to its original size after giving birth, usually when breastfeeding your baby). It feels as if someone is stabbing your guts, and maybe down the legs too.
4. It’s Not Easy to Poop.
The phrase ‘grin and bear it” takes on an entirely new meaning.
5. The First Poop of a Baby Will Require 15 Towels, a Spade, and Possibly Three Men in Hard Hats.
It’s not poop. It’s black glue. It’s not easy to change your first nappies. This is a lesson in how to remove the tar that has been glued onto a sensitive surface. It may be necessary to have a trade certificate.
6. You’re Going to be a Bloody Mess
But also literally. Not just emotionally, but also literally. Prepare yourself for some blood. Just prepare for blood. In the shower. Your massive granny underwear. It’s normal.
7. You’ll Walk as if You Just Gave Birth
You think you’ve mastered the waddle in your final weeks of pregnancy. The after-pushing-baby-out waddle is even more distinctive.
8. The Baby Next to You Will Have a Screaming Match All Night Long if Your Baby Does Indeed Fall Asleep.
You will move from feeling sorry for a new mother to wanting to gently shove her baby’s crying back into her uterus.
9. It’s Almost a Given That You Will Have a Boob-out When People Visit.
All newborns want is to suck your breasts and sleep.
Oh, and poop Tar.
10. You Will Feel Bad for Your Baby, But Try Not To Take It Personally
He likes to scream. He is probably annoyed that you forced him out of his comfortable womb.
11. Your Stomach Looks Ridiculous
It’s like a bowl of jelly. Not even the slightest bit happy.
You may have sagging skin, stretch marks, or a wriggling tummy that looks like a pillow for small dolls to bounce on.
12. Your Lady Bits Don’t Look Too Hot Either.
You are disliked by them right now.
13. You Look Like an Enlarged, Battered Version of Your Former Self
Hey, you’ve just had a child. You have a good excuse at least, right? The little one you hold in your arms will be worth everything!
What Happens to Me After I Give Birth?
Everyone has a unique experience when it comes to the birth of their baby. Your baby may be placed on your chest to have skin contact. It is an opportunity for you to connect with your baby.
Your midwife checks the following:
- Your pulse
- Your blood pressure
- How your uterus contracts
- Feelings
Your midwife will help you feed your child if you decide to Breastfeed.
How Long Do I Have to Stay in the Delivery Room After My Baby Is Born?
You will likely stay in the delivery room after a vaginal delivery. After a normal vaginal birth, you may shower and have a meal before going to the postnatal unit or home.
It’s not unusual for your baby and you to share a hospital room. You may share a room with another new mother.
What Care Will My Midwife Offer Me After a Home Birth?
Your midwife will remain with you and your child until both you and your baby feel comfortable. They will make sure your baby is breastfed well.
Your midwife will check on you and your child at home for the first six weeks after the birth.
What Happens to Your Body During the First 24 Hours Following Birth?
You may feel different after giving birth. You may feel happy, tired, emotionally drained, or all three at the same time. You’ve experienced a major life-changing event. This is perfectly normal.
Bleeding in the Vagina
This is known as lochia. This will appear bright red for the first few weeks, similar to a heavy menstrual period.
Tell your midwife if you have large clots, as you may need to be treated.
It is possible to continue losing blood for up to six weeks.
Use maternity pads until you have your 6-week check-up. Internal period products such as tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary pads can increase your risk of infection.
After-birth and Tummy Pain
It will take some time for your uterus to return to its original size.
As your uterus begins to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy dimensions, you may experience after-birth symptoms. This may feel like period discomfort.
If this isn’t your first child, you may experience more cramping pains. When your baby is nursing, you will notice more after-birth pains.
You can reduce the pain by:
- Placing a warm pack over your stomach
- Take paracetamol at least 30 minutes before breast-feeding
Your Vulva or Vagina
You may experience tenderness in your vagina or vulva for a few days following a vaginal delivery. Pain relief medicines and an ice pack should help.
Wearing supportive, firm underwear can also reduce pain and discomfort. Wear control briefs during the first six weeks following birth. You’ll need to buy clothes that are 2 sizes larger than your pre-pregnancy measurements. If you were 12 before becoming pregnant, you should buy 16-size briefs.
In 1 to 2 weeks, stitches that are in the perineum will disappear. When you shower, wash the area as normal and gently pat it dry.
Breasts
The first milk that you produce is called Colostrum. Only a small amount of colostrum will be made.
Breastmilk normally starts to flow 2-5 days after delivery. Your breasts may feel large and full when this occurs.
As you and your child learn to breastfeed, it’s common to experience some tenderness in your nipples.
Toilets
After the birth, your bottom may be bruised or sore. It’s still safe to use the bathroom.
It may help to make your urine less painful if you drink lots of water.
You won’t have to poop for a couple of days. Eat plenty of:
- fresh fruits
- vegetables
- Wholegrain Bread
- Wholegrain cereals
This will keep your stools (poos) soft.
Don’t strain when using the toilet. If you are constipated, your midwife might suggest laxatives.
Homecoming
You may be allowed to return home four to six hours after giving birth if you gave birth vaginally in a hospital. You may be visited by a midwife at your home for postnatal care or breastfeeding advice.
If:
- You have an assisted birth (forceps, ventouse, or forceps)
- you had a cesarean birth
- You are not feeling well
- Your baby may be unwell
You might be able to stay longer if you give birth in a private facility. You can ask your hospital for an estimate of how long you will be in the hospital.
Recovering from Birth
It can be exhausting to give birth, both physically and emotionally. Birth can sometimes be different from what you planned.
You need to allow yourself some time to recuperate.
It’s important to speak to your doctor while you are still in the hospital if you had a difficult delivery.
Support is available if you or your partner struggle with your emotions. The Australian Birth Trauma Association provides peer-to-peer advice and resources.
What Will Happen to My Body During the First Few Days of Pregnancy?
In the first few weeks after your baby’s birth, you will experience several changes in both physical and emotional state. This page describes what you can expect following vaginal or cesarean delivery.
Lochia is Bleeding from the Vagina.
You will bleed after giving birth. This blood is known as ‘lochia.’ It starts bright red, heavy, and may have clots. Change your maternity pads frequently.
It is normal to bleed from the vagina, but you should tell your midwife if there are large clots, or if your vagina smells bad.
The bleeding will eventually become lighter, and the color will change to a brownish-reddish hue. The lochia can last up to six weeks.
After-birth Pains
The pain that follows birth can be similar to period pain. The contraction of your uterus is causing this pain.
If this isn’t your first child, you are more likely than others to experience post-partum pain.
You may experience after-birth discomfort when you breastfeed. Your body produces hormones to shrink your uterus as your baby suckles.
You can also apply a warm pack to your stomach. Take paracetamol at least 30 minutes before breastfeeding.
Your Vulva or Vagina
You may feel tenderness in your vagina or vulva for several days following a vaginal delivery. Pain relief medicines and an ice pack should ease the pain.
You can also relieve pain by lying down and removing pressure from your lower back.
Wearing supportive, firm underwear can help to reduce pain and discomfort. Wear control briefs during the first six weeks following birth. You’ll need to buy clothes that are 2 sizes larger than your pre-pregnancy measurements. If you were 12 before becoming pregnant, you should buy 16-size briefs.
You can help the healing process by bathing in warm, clean water. Take a warm bath or shower and dry yourself off carefully. In 1 to 2 weeks, your stitches will disappear.
If you can, try to lie on your side instead of your back.
Exercises for the pelvic floor can help you heal. You should begin pelvic floor exercises as soon as possible. You can also use these exercises to help you with incontinence problems.
Toilets
Drink plenty of water. It will dilute the urine and make it less painful. This will help you to avoid constipation.
After giving birth, you probably won’t be able to open your bowels for a couple of days.
Eat lots of:
- fresh fruit
- fresh vegetables
- Wholemeal Bread
- Wholemeal cereals
You will also reduce your chances of hemorrhoids (piles). Avoid straining.
After you laugh or cough, your bladder may leak urine. Exercises for the pelvic floor can help.
Tell your doctor if you do not see any improvement. He can refer you to physiotherapists.
Cesarean Section Scar
recovery will take longer after a C-section. It is normal for your scar to be painful and sore for a couple of weeks.
In general, dissolving stitching is used. You won’t need to have your stitches removed.
You can safely bathe in warm, clean water. Dry yourself off carefully. Wear loose clothing if you find it comfortable.
Speak to your doctor as soon as you notice any discomfort or signs of infection.
