Giving birth: What happens to your baby after birth
Right after your baby is born, the health care team will:
Tip
Vernix, the creamy coating that protects the skin when your baby is in the uterus, will be wiped off shortly after birth.
clear the amniotic fluid from your baby's nose and mouth, if needed
assess Apgar scores two times within the first 5 minutes. Your newborn will be given a score of zero, one, or two in five areas:
breathing
heart rate
color
muscle tone
reflexes.
A score of seven or more on the first test is usually a sign of well-being. The score usually increases with the second test.
Tip
If your baby needs additional care right after birth, she will be taken to the special care nursery.
dry him and give him to you:
for skin-to-skin contact. This is a special time to bond with your baby. The warmth and closeness is not only soothing and calming, it will help you learn your
baby's feeding cues.
Wearing only a diaper, your baby is placed on you with his tummy on your bare chest. His head will be turned to one side. You can wrap a blanket or large towel around both of you. When your skin-to-skin contact is done, gently lift your baby off your chest and dress him.
This special snuggle time can also be shared between dad and baby.
wrapped in a blanket. You may hold your baby on your chest in your arms. A hat and diaper will be put on soon.
put identification bracelets on his ankle and/or wrist. These bracelets match the ones you and your partner will have.
give a vitamin K shot to help your baby's blood to clot. Babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy or when they are breastfeeding. The easiest way to give babies vitamin K is by injection (shot). One shot just after birth will protect your baby for many months. You can choose for your baby not to have this shot.
put an ointment in his eyes to prevent an infection that can lead to blindness
take footprint impressions for a memento
make every effort to fulfill your requests to hold, nurse and photograph your baby.
