If Baby Needs Extra Care

When and how cord is cut

When and how cord is cut

What cord clamping and cutting mean The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta throughout pregnancy. Its vessels carry oxygenated blood and nutrients toward the fetus and return deoxygenated blood to the placenta. After birth, breathing begins, pulmonary blood flow rises, and the newborn’s circulation transitions away from placental support. Cord clamping closes the […]

What happens if baby needs medical help

What happens if baby needs medical help

The first assessment after birth Immediately after delivery, clinicians assess how well the baby is transitioning from placental support to independent breathing and circulation. They observe respiratory effort, heart rate, muscle tone, responsiveness, and color while keeping the baby warm. Apgar scores may be recorded at one and five minutes, but these scores summarize the […]

When baby is taken to NICU after birth

When baby is taken to NICU after birth

Why a baby may be taken to the NICU after birth A newborn may be moved to the NICU for many reasons, and the decision is usually based on immediate clinical needs rather than a single diagnosis. Common reasons include prematurity, low birth weight, breathing difficulty, low blood glucose, suspected infection, or concerns about how […]

Differences from vaginal birth explained

Differences from vaginal birth explained

The fundamental difference in how birth occurs In a vaginal birth, uterine contractions help dilate and efface the cervix. The baby then descends through the pelvis and is born through the vagina. Labor may begin spontaneously or be induced, and pain relief can range from nonpharmacological measures to neuraxial analgesia, such as an epidural. Some […]

Recovery immediately after cesarean

Recovery immediately after cesarean

The first hours in the recovery area Immediately after surgery, you will usually move to a post-anesthesia care area or a maternity recovery room. A clinician will regularly check your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, oxygen level, temperature, alertness, pain, vaginal bleeding, and uterine tone. The uterus must contract after birth even though the baby was […]

What happens after C-section birth

What happens after C-section birth

The first hours after birth Immediately after a C-section, the clinical team usually keeps a close watch on your vital signs, bleeding, uterine tone, and pain level. If regional anesthesia was used, numbness and weakness gradually wear off over the first hours, and nurses typically check sensation and circulation before you fully move around. It […]