Six things you may not know about the hours after a vaginal birth There’s often so much emphasis on preparing for labour and birth, that many mothers don’t think about the hours after their baby is born. Everyone’s experience is different but you can expect the following: 1. Your uterus will keep contracting. And you want it to! This helps the placenta detach and it helps to prevent excessive bleeding. 2. You can delay the cutting of the umbilical cord. As long as you and your baby are well, delayed/optimal cord clamping is standard practice in most hospitals and birth centres. Ideally you want to wait till the cord is white; this tells you that all the blood from the placenta has moved into your baby. 3. Your baby can stay on you if they’re well. Uninterrupted skin to skin in the first hour helps your baby adjust to the world, it prompts the flow of oxytocin in your body (which encourages the uterus to continue contracting) and it’s a great first step to a successful breastfeeding journey. 4. You may get the shakes. Whole body shakes are a common response to adrenaline in your system (they can also be a physical response to medication in labour). Warm blankets can help (make sure you prioritise warm feet and a warm core as your body adjusts to postpartum.) 5. You might have trouble sleeping. When you have a big rush of oxytocin (the love hormone) after birth, you’ll feel like you’re on a big high and it makes sleeping hard. 6. It can be challenging to walk. Because your body has worked so hard to bring your baby into the world (your lower back, pelvis and hips have softened and opened to make space for your baby) it can sometimes feel like your pelvis is floating which can be disconcerting. Support garments can really help in this regard as they can stabilise your core. Prioritising rest and lying down in postpartum is a big step towards regaining strength and stability in your core and pelvic floor. Learn more with me @the.birth.class 📷@jelena.nyc