What happens after a vaginal birth?
Depending on the labor and birth experience, in the first few hours after the birth most mothers:
- spend time getting to know their new baby
- cuddle with baby skin to skin
- feed the baby for the first time
- have a light meal or snack
- shower and change clothes
- move to the postpartum room for rest
Most women will stay in the hospital for 1-2 days to recover from the birth. Your partner or support person may wish to stay the nights with you. Your baby will stay in your room with you.
"I’m very pleased I opted for a vaginal delivery since my recovery was measured in hours as opposed to weeks from a cesarean. My first baby was delivered by emergency cesarean and I didn’t want to deal with that recovery with a new baby AND a 2 year old!"