What happens to the baby right after delivery?

Your baby will be placed on your tummy right after delivery. If there are any complications, your baby will go to your nurse and/or the staff pediatrician for examination in the newborn bassinet provided close to your bedside. Your nurse will dry your baby with warm blankets and listen to your baby's heart rate. Your baby's heart rate, color, respirations, muscle tone, and reflexes are initially evaluated the first minute after birth, after 5 minutes, and then every half hour for two hours unless your baby's condition requires more frequent attention. Vitamin K (a clotting medication) and Erythromycin (prevention of eye infection) will be given to your newborn. Your baby will be weighed and then measured later during the bath to be given later. During the two-hour recovery period, feeding is initiated with the help of your nurse. Your baby will have two identification bands placed-one on the wrist and one on the ankle. In addition, an additional band will be added to the other ankle-an infant security transmitter- with which your nurse will provide instructions.

What happens to me after delivery?

Your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and respirations) are taken every 15 minutes x 5, then every ½ hour for two hours. Your temperature is taken once after delivery and then as needed. Your nurse will also be pressing on your tummy to locate your uterus, note its firmness, and the amount of vaginal bleeding. If you had a vaginal delivery and have an episiotomy and/or lacerations, your nurse will place an ice pack inside your pad to reduce swelling and provide pain relief. Self-medications will be explained to you and provided at the bedside for your use. You may eat a regular meal as tolerated. If you had a Cesarean Section, your nurse will also be checking the dressing over your incision. Your nurse will instruct you on how to cough and deep breathe, support your abdominal incision, and how to use an incentive spirometer, which helps to keep your lungs clear after having had surgery. Your nurse will immediately provide pain relief. You will be started on ice chips to clear liquids after your cesarean delivery and advanced as tolerated and with active bowel sounds. For all patients, your significant other and yourself with have a band securely placed on your wrist with your baby's identification numbers on it. You will already have had an identification band placed on your wrist with your own hospital identification numbers. Therefore, all moms will wear two bands at all times. A folder will be provided to you with information on breastfeeding and/or bottle-feeding your baby, your baby's birth certificate, baby pictures, and other items. 

How long will I be in the hospital?

After a vaginal delivery, discharge takes place 24 hours later. If you deliver after 8pm, you will not go home until the following day, unless you request to go home late that night. After a Cesarean Section delivery, discharge takes place 48 hours after delivery, unless delivered after 8pm as stated earlier. A visiting nurse will be scheduled to visit every family within a few days after being discharged home. Please make sure to notify your nurse of your correct address and home number, which will be provided to the visiting nurses' association.

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Information provided by UMHS perinatal education committee March, 2005