You’ve just given birth—now what? The first hour after birth, often called the “Golden Hour,” is a critical time for bonding, recovery, and ensuring baby transitions smoothly into the world.
This guide will cover:
✔️ What happens to your baby in the first hour
✔️ What to expect for your body after birth
✔️ How to advocate for immediate bonding & delayed newborn procedures
What Happens to Baby in the First Hour?
📌 The first hour is when baby adjusts to life outside the womb.
🚼 1. Immediate Skin-to-Skin Contact (If No Medical Concerns)
✔️ Helps regulate baby’s temperature, breathing, and heart rate.
✔️ Encourages bonding & early breastfeeding.
🚼 2. Baby’s First Cries & Breaths
✔️ Most babies cry within seconds to a minute after birth.
✔️ Skin-to-skin contact can help baby stay calm and breathe better.
🚼 3. Delayed Cord Clamping (If Planned)
✔️ Allows more blood & iron-rich oxygen to transfer from the placenta.
✔️ WHO & ACOG recommend waiting at least 30-60 seconds.
📌 Pro Tip: Babies don’t need to be immediately whisked away for exams—they can be checked while still on your chest.
💡 Related Post: Delayed Cord Clamping: Why It Matters for Your Baby’s Health
What Happens to You in the First Hour After Birth?
📌 Your body is shifting from labor to postpartum mode.
🚼 1. Delivery of the Placenta (Stage 3 of Labor)
✔️ Happens within 5-30 minutes after birth.
✔️ Mild contractions help detach the placenta.
🚼 2. Uterine Contractions & Fundal Massage
✔️ Nurses/midwives will press on your belly (fundal massage) to prevent excessive bleeding.
✔️ Feels uncomfortable but is important to help the uterus contract.
🚼 3. Possible Vaginal Tears or Stitches
✔️ If you had a small tear or episiotomy, stitches may be needed.
✔️ Providers usually use local anesthesia to numb the area first.
📌 Pro Tip: Even if you didn’t tear, your perineum may feel sore & swollen—ice packs and a peri bottle help.
💡 Related Post: Tearing During Birth: What to Expect & How to Heal Faster
Newborn Procedures: What Can Wait?
📌 Many newborn procedures can be delayed to allow for bonding & skin-to-skin.
🚼 What Can Wait:
✔️ Weighing & Measuring – Baby can stay with you first.
✔️ Eye Ointment – Can be delayed for 1-2 hours (or declined).
✔️ First Bath – Delaying the bath protects baby’s skin & reduces stress.
✔️ Routine Checks – Most can be done while baby is skin-to-skin.
🚼 What Happens Right Away (If Healthy):
✔️ APGAR Scores (checks baby’s breathing, color, muscle tone).
✔️ Umbilical Cord Care (clamping/cutting).
✔️ Vitamin K Shot & Hepatitis B Vaccine (if you choose them).
📌 Pro Tip: Request “Golden Hour” bonding time in your birth plan to ensure minimal interruptions.
💡 Related Post: How to Advocate for Yourself in Pregnancy & Birth
What If You Have a C-Section?
📌 The first hour after a C-section is different, but bonding is still possible.
✔️ Some hospitals offer “gentle C-sections,” allowing skin-to-skin in the OR.
✔️ If you can’t hold baby right away, your partner can do skin-to-skin first.
✔️ You may need extra monitoring for anesthesia effects.
📌 Pro Tip: Even after a C-section, breastfeeding and bonding can still happen with the right support.
💡 Related Post: C-Section Recovery: What to Expect & How to Heal Faster
Birthify’s Expert Support for Post-Birth Care & Recovery
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