Birth: Birth – Delivery – Labor
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 […]

When to start breastfeeding and first latch

When to start breastfeeding and first latch

When should breastfeeding begin? When a newborn is breathing effectively, maintaining an appropriate temperature, and does not require urgent medical intervention, breastfeeding should usually be initiated within the first hour after birth. The World Health Organization recommends early initiation and emphasizes immediate, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact when possible. This period is sometimes called the first hour […]

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 […]

Benefits and safety of delayed cord clamping

Benefits and safety of delayed cord clamping

What delayed cord clamping means Immediate or early cord clamping occurs soon after birth, whereas delayed cord clamping involves waiting before applying the clamp. Guidance commonly supports delaying clamping for at least one minute when the clinical situation permits. Some protocols use a longer interval, such as 30 to 60 seconds in preterm birth or […]

Delayed cord clamping explained

Delayed cord clamping explained

What delayed cord clamping means The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta and contains two arteries and one vein. Before birth, the placenta performs gas exchange and supplies oxygenated blood through the umbilical vein. After birth, the lungs expand, pulmonary blood flow rises, and the newborn begins the transition to independent circulation. Delayed […]

Why first hour is important for baby and mother

Why first hour is important for baby and mother

A major physiological transition for the newborn Birth requires a newborn to move rapidly from placental support to independent breathing and circulation. With the first effective breaths, the lungs expand, fetal lung fluid begins to clear, and pulmonary blood flow increases. Circulatory pathways used before birth start to change as the baby adapts to receiving […]

Golden hour after birth explained

Golden hour after birth explained

What the golden hour means The golden hour usually means the first approximately 60 minutes after birth, during which a stable newborn is placed skin-to-skin on the birthing parent’s bare chest and unnecessary interruptions are minimized. The term describes a care framework rather than a guaranteed sequence or an exact stopwatch interval. Some families have […]

When skin-to-skin may be delayed

When skin-to-skin may be delayed

Early contact is the goal, but safety comes first For a vigorous, medically stable newborn and an alert, stable parent, skin-to-skin contact should generally begin as soon as possible after birth. The baby is dried, placed upright and prone on the parent’s bare chest, and covered with a warm blanket while clinicians observe breathing, color, […]

Skin-to-skin contact explained

Skin-to-skin contact explained

What skin-to-skin contact means Skin-to-skin contact means placing a newborn, usually wearing only a diaper and sometimes a hat, prone against a parent’s bare chest. The baby and parent are then covered with a warm, dry blanket while the baby’s face remains visible. Immediately after birth, the birthing parent is generally the first choice when […]