With labor, the 9 months long wait and ordeal comes to an end. After labor, when the baby has been delivered, there are still a number of things a mother should be educated about as most don’t really know what to expect after labor.
Given below are some of the guidelines on what one can expect after labor:
Just after labor, if the baby has gone through a vaginal birth, it is immediately put on the mother’s abdomen thereby triggering on the bonding process. On the other hand, if the delivery was a c-section one, the baby will be first given to the nurse and its vital signs will be monitored. It will be a while till the mother holds the baby.
In the first hour after pregnancy, the baby will go through a number of things. Its length and head circumference will be measured; antibiotic drops will be put to its eyes in order to ward off infections; they may also receive injections of vitamin K and a warm sponge bath.The mother is allowed to breastfeed the baby if both of them are up to it. This is usually a prime chance to bond.
After labor, the mother may experience continued contractions. Since the stretched uterus is now going back to its usual size, these cramps might be regular and painful. The cramps usually disappear 6 weeks postpartum.
Heavy menstruation like bleeding called lochia is inevitable post labor. For the first few weeks the bleeding will be very heavy. It gradually disappears over time. It can stay even up to 8 weeks.
Problems in passing urine or bowel movements are common after labor. The tremendous pressure of the baby on bladder and urethra leads to swelling which makes passing urine difficult. You might get worried weather the stitches in the perineum tear while passing bowel. And the swelling will go down within a few days .
After labor, one can expect their breasts to swell up and also become a bit sore. As the breast will be now at its peak of producing milk, it will be swollen and may also feel tender. Once the mother starts breastfeeding, the feeling of soreness subsides.
Before leaving hospital post labor, the child will be made to go through a number of screening tests. These are necessary in order to identify any serious complication or disease the child may be born with.
Post labor, one should b prepared for what is colloquially called “baby blues”. The mother has to go through the endless ordeal of feeding the bay, cleaning the diapers, trying to make them sleep, waking up at the middle of the night to feed etc. and hence, often ends up feeling anxious or sad. These feelings are usually temporary and they disappear over time.
Postpartum depression is also a part and parcel of post labor days. It is very common though in some cases it tends to become serious and long-lasting. In such cases one needs to consult the doctor.The above are some of the basic things one can expect post labor. Though it tends to get unbearable at times, it is the part and parcel of post part um life that one usually gets used to with time.
