In the First Few Days After Childbirth

Your baby

• Your newborn baby may look wrinkled and red.
• The baby's head may be a bit out of shape from birth and will be large compared to its body.
• The top of the baby's head will have soft spots in front and back.
• Your baby's eye color will be dark grey, but may change during the next few weeks.
• Your baby can focus in your face.
• The baby's breasts (both boys and girls) may be swollen for a few days.
• A baby boy may have a swollen scrotum.
• A baby girl may have a little bloody vaginal discharge.
• Your baby can respond to your voice, touch and grasp your finger, suck its fingers, and nurse.

 

 Your Body

• You may feel tired and happy.
• You want to cuddle your new baby.
• You will want to eat, sleep and bathe.
• If you had an episiotomy, your episiotomy incision will be sore.
• If you had a Cesarean section, your abdomen will be sore.
• You may have trouble urinating because of swollen tissues.
• You will lose weight, as fluid is lost through frequent urination.
• You may sweat a lot to get rid of extra fluid.
•  You will have a vaginal discharge (lochia) of blood from the uterus, which may be present for one to five weeks after birth.
• You will not have milk for several days. Colostrum will nourish your baby until your breast milk comes in.
• Your abdomen will stay large until your muscles tighten.

Your Responsibilities

• Hold, cuddle, touch and enjoy your baby.
• Talk with your partner about the birth experience.
• Repeat Kegel exercises after birth.
• Get up and walk as soon as you can.
• Rest when you are tired.
• Drink lots of liquids and eat when you are hungry.
• To increase milk flow, breastfeed soon after delivery and as needed.