What Happens to My Baby Right After Birth? Key Information for Parents.

The arrival of your baby is one of the most significant moments of your life. While you’ve likely prepared for the birth itself through antenatal care, the moments immediately following your baby’s arrival can feel a bit overwhelming. As an expectant parent, you might wonder about what will happen to your baby right after birth, and whether they could be taken away from you for medical reasons or other procedures.

This article will explore the processes that occur right after birth, providing you with a clear understanding of what to expect during the early moments with your newborn. Additionally, we’ll cover the role of antenatal support and how your antenatal checkups help ensure a smooth transition from pregnancy to labour and delivery.

What Happens to Your Baby Immediately After Birth?

The first few moments after birth are crucial for both you and your baby. The healthcare team will immediately begin monitoring your baby’s well-being, ensuring they are healthy and breathing properly.

1. The First Moments

Once your baby is born, the first priority for the healthcare professionals is to ensure that your baby is breathing and transitioning well from life inside the womb to life outside. If you have a vaginal birth, your baby will be placed on your chest immediately after birth, unless there are complications. This is known as skin-to-skin contact, which is incredibly important for both bonding and stabilising your baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing.

For babies born via Caesarean section, the baby may be handed to your partner or a nurse for the first moments before being brought to you. However, skin-to-skin contact is encouraged as soon as possible, regardless of the delivery method.

2. Cutting the Umbilical Cord

One of the first decisions that will be made after your baby is born is whether or not to clamp and cut the umbilical cord immediately, or whether to delay cord clamping. Delayed cord clamping (waiting about 30 seconds to a minute before cutting the cord) allows the baby to receive more blood from the placenta, which is believed to have benefits for your baby’s health, including higher iron levels and improved blood circulation.

If you have concerns or questions about this process, it’s important to discuss your preferences with your antenatal clinic or healthcare provider ahead of time during your antenatal appointments. Discussing your birth plan, including your preferences for cutting the umbilical cord, ensures that your wishes are respected.

3. Apgar Score

One of the first assessments your baby will undergo after birth is the Apgar score, which is a quick evaluation of your baby’s overall health and vital signs. This score assesses five areas: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin colour. The score is typically taken twice: once at one minute after birth, and then again at five minutes.

An Apgar score of 7-10 is considered normal, with scores lower than 7 indicating that the baby may require medical attention, such as additional help with breathing.

4. Weighing and Measuring Your Baby

After your baby is born, they will be weighed and measured. This includes checking their weight, length, and head circumference. These measurements help healthcare providers assess your baby’s growth and development.

If you have attended antenatal education classes, you may have a general idea of your baby’s expected weight and size, though it’s important to remember that babies can surprise parents and medical staff with their size at birth.

5. Eye Drops and Vitamin K Shot

In the UK, it is routine to administer vitamin K to newborns shortly after birth, usually by injection. This is to prevent a rare but serious bleeding disorder known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). The injection can be given either in the thigh or, in some cases, via an oral dose if there are no medical concerns.

In some cases, your baby will also be given eye drops (usually containing an antibiotic like silver nitrate or erythromycin) to prevent potential eye infections, particularly if the mother carries any infections such as gonorrhoea.

For more information on vitamin K and its role, you can refer to the NHS guidelines on newborn care.

Could Your Baby Be Taken from You?

It’s natural to have concerns about whether your baby might be taken from you after birth, especially if you’ve never experienced childbirth before. In the vast majority of cases, your baby will not be taken away from you unless there are medical reasons that require immediate attention.

1. Medical Emergencies

In some cases, your baby may need to be taken to a neonatal unit for medical treatment. This is most likely to occur if the baby requires help with breathing, jaundice management, or other health issues. Conditions such as respiratory distress, infections, or abnormal heart rhythms can sometimes require more specialised care.

If your baby needs to be admitted to a neonatal unit, the hospital staff will explain the situation to you in detail. You will still be able to see your baby and spend time with them, although they may be under observation or treatment in a different area of the hospital.

2. What About Routine Procedures?

While certain procedures are routine, such as the Apgar score, weighing and measuring, and administering injections, they do not typically require the baby to be taken away from you for an extended period. In fact, skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding are encouraged soon after birth, as they provide essential bonding and help with your baby’s transition to life outside the womb.

However, if you have any concerns about whether these procedures could interfere with your bonding time, it’s a good idea to express your preferences to your healthcare team during your antenatal appointments.

3. Health Concerns for Mothers

Occasionally, a mother may experience complications during childbirth that could require medical intervention. If the mother is unwell or needs to be cared for in a different part of the hospital, this could briefly delay contact with the baby. However, this is not common, and healthcare providers will do their best to ensure the baby remains with you or your partner as much as possible.

For mothers undergoing an emergency Caesarean section or suffering from complications like postpartum haemorrhage, your baby may be placed in the care of another healthcare provider temporarily while the mother is stabilised. Your antenatal care and antenatal support should help you prepare emotionally for this kind of scenario, should it arise.

How Antenatal Care Prepares You for Post-Birth Procedures

One of the key roles of antenatal care is to provide expectant parents with information about the birth process and the immediate post-birth care. Through antenatal education and discussions during your antenatal checkups, your healthcare providers can help set expectations for what will happen after your baby’s birth, alleviating any worries or uncertainties.

For example, antenatal yoga or prenatal yoga classes can be a great way to prepare both physically and mentally for labour and delivery. They also offer relaxation techniques that can help you feel more in control of the process.

In addition, antenatal massage is another excellent way to prepare your body and mind for childbirth. These sessions can help reduce stress, ease physical tension, and support overall relaxation, which will be helpful during labour and the immediate postpartum period. For more information on the benefits of massage for pregnancy, consider checking out the NHS guide to relaxation during pregnancy.

What to Do if You Have Concerns About Your Baby’s Care After Birth

If you have any concerns about what will happen to your baby immediately after birth, make sure to discuss these questions with your midwife, doctor, or antenatal clinic during your antenatal appointments. Whether you’re worried about medical procedures, bonding time, or the possibility of your baby needing extra care, your healthcare providers will be able to reassure you and guide you through the process.

If you’ve made an antenatal birth plan, it’s important to clearly communicate your preferences regarding post-birth care for both you and your baby. You may want to make decisions about how long you’d like to hold your baby after birth, whether you want to breastfeed immediately, or whether you’d prefer to delay certain procedures if possible.

Conclusion

The moments after birth are a whirlwind of activity and emotions. While it’s natural to feel anxious about what will happen to your baby, it’s important to know that your healthcare team is there to support both you and your baby’s health and well-being. With the proper antenatal support, you can be prepared for the experience and feel confident in knowing that your baby will be cared for with expertise and compassion.

Remember, discussing your birth preferences ahead of time during your antenatal care can help ensure that your wishes are respected, and your baby’s early moments are as peaceful and bonding as possible. If complications arise, rest assured that healthcare professionals will do everything in their power to care for you and your baby, keeping you informed every step of the way.