Your Newborn
Baby after birth -What to expect
Your emotions
Immediately after the birth your first responses and interactions
with your baby will probably be the most important that ever occur.
Its tiny and vulnerable body will stir many emotions in you.
In the days following the birth there will be dramatic swings in
your hormone levels which may cause you to feel tired, irritable,
depressed and even tearful. This is sometimes called the "Baby
Blues" and can last anywhere from three to five days after the
birth. You can still be a little emotional for a few weeks after
the birth but this will subside.
It is an exhausting undertaking looking after a newborn
and it would be a good idea to organise a support crew of family or
friends to help you through the first two or three weeks to lessen
the load.
It may sound obvious, but try to get as much sleep as
possible. When your baby is sleeping, take the opportunity to have
a nap as well - don't use the time to catch up on housework -
you'll soon get overtired and stressed.
Some mothers bond and fall in love with their babies
straight away while others take a little longer. Both responses are
normal and often maternal feelings grow over time as you get to
know your baby. If you are worried about your feelings towards your
baby then it might be advisable to see your health care provider
such as your Plunket Nurse, midwife or doctor. Never feel you are
alone.
Your baby's appearance
Skin
Some newborn babies are completely covered in a greasy
substance called vernix and some only have it on their hands and
face. Vernix protects the baby's skin from the drying effects of
the amniotic fluid. It also eases the baby's delivery and offers
some protection from minor skin infections. Some hospitals clean it
off immediately while others leave it to be absorbed or rubbed off
naturally.
The top half of your baby's body may look paler than the
lower half. This is because your baby's circulation takes some time
to stabilise - there is nothing to worry about.
Birthmarks are common and will usually soon fade.
Sometimes there is a downy hair on your baby's body. Known
as lanugo hair; it covered your baby's body while it was in your
uterus. It usually rubs off within a couple of weeks. More
permanent hair will appear later.
Head
Your baby's head will be quite large in comparison to the
rest of the body -about one quarter of your baby's length. It may
appear to be long or pointed at birth, but this due to a process
called moulding where the skull bones overlap temporarily to allow
the head to move more easily through the birth canal.
Occasionally there is swelling on one or both sides of the
head, and this may increase over the next few days before subsiding
over several weeks.
Your baby will have two soft spots, or fontanelles, on top
of the head where the skull bones have not fused together yet. The
smaller at the back will close in about six to eight weeks. The
larger front fontanelle closes over the next 12-18 months. A tough
membrane protects both.
Hands and Feet
These are always slightly more bluish than the rest of the body
because of the baby's primitive circulation. Also your baby's nails
may be long and sharp. You can nibble off the tips so the baby
doesn't scratch itself, but don't cut them.
Eyes
Sometimes your baby's eyes may become sticky due to a
discharge. This can be cleaned away with cotton wool moistened with
cool boiled water but you should see your health care provider to
be safe.
Your newborn baby may not be able to open its eyes
straight away due to puffiness caused by pressure on the head
during birth.
The eye muscles grow stronger usually within a month so
your baby may squint or look cross-eyed. If this is still the case
after three months though, you should consult a doctor.
Your baby's care
Your newborn baby will be given a thorough medical examination to
make sure everything is okay. Immediately after the birth a
measurement system (the Apgar System) will be used to assess your
baby's breathing, heart rate, skin colour, physical reflexes and
muscle tone. Each one is scored from 0-2 and the total represents
your baby's score.
Your baby's weight, length and head circumference are also
recorded at birth.
What your baby can do
Your newborn baby can respond to sound and light. They
also have primitive relexes like the startle reflex where the baby
blinks, cries or throws its arms outwards to a sudden loud noise.
Some other reflexes include the baby being able to grasp tightly,
and when held upright with their feet on a flat surface, the baby
will try to walk.
Umbilical Cord
Soon after birth the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The
remaining stump usually falls off within 6-10 days.