First 24 Hours Postpartum

Are you wondering what to expect the first 24 hours postpartum? Here is the scoop on what you can expect after your upcoming birth!

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The Golden Hour

To start, I will begin by telling you this is probably one of my favorite moments of motherhood. I have had the privilege of experiencing it six times. The “golden hour” is the first immediate hour after birth in which a mom and baby get time to do skin-to-skin and encourage breastfeeding. I love this! After months of waiting, I finally have many babies in my arms. I do not want to be disturbed by exams that can wait an hour. Often this hour also includes delay cord clamping and a very gentle transition into the newborn exam once mom and baby are ready.

It should go without saying that there might be situations where this will not be possible for health and safety reasons but they should be the exception. I sadly did not get to experience this with my firstborn and did not realize the negative impact it had on my bonding with him until I had more children. One of the many reasons I am a huge fan of homebirths and natural births.

The Newborn Exam

Next, the newborn exam will be performed preferably after mom and baby have had that initial time to bond. I like to have the newborn exam done right next to me, I believe this is also possible in a hospital setting. The midwife weights and checks the baby for signs of distress or illness. Around this time, your baby most likely will have his or her first poop if they haven’t already.

After the newborn exam, I am next. The midwife checks for signs of any complications like hemorrhaging. At this point, she also will determine if I need any stitches. Yes, I too was surprised to find out that you can need stitches after birth. I, unfortunately, didn’t realize this until my first baby was born and I had an unrequested episiotomy Thanks to this guess what opens up every time I have a baby?

4 hours after birth

Eat and sleep! Yes, with all the excitement you need someone there to remind you. Besides you will need help with everything the first 24 hours postpartum. Moving will be uncomfortable and hard. At this point, your midwife will have left and she most likely left instructions for you to follow over the next week.

Pain management is part of the aftercare. Usually, your midwife will leave something like After Ease Tincture or you could always use an over-the-counter pain relief medication.

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Five to Ten Hours After Birth

The majority of the first 24 hours postpartum are spent cuddling and getting to know your baby. Breastfeeding is so important and skin-to-skin will help you establish a good relationship. You will not be producing milk yet just colostrum which is the perfect food for your newborn. However, this means he or she will be ravenous and will want to suckle constantly. This is normal and is a good thing as it will signal your body to make milk as well as aid shrink your uterus.

Did I mention you will be tired?

Rinse and Repeat

The next hours you should spend mostly in bed with just short walks to the bathroom to change your pads and use the bathroom. I always keep track of my bodily functions after giving birth, especially the first 24 four hours postpartum because it is a sign that things are getting back to normal.

Dad can help too! Holding a baby for a bit so I can actually lay down and sleep is the best thing my husband does for me right after I give birth. It sounds trivial but it allows me to rest without worrying about our newborn crying.

First Twenty-four Hours Postpartum!

I can not tell you how slow and yet fast time moves when you welcome a baby. It is truly transformative in so many ways. By the time my baby is a day old, I usually have another midwife visit and because I opt for natural births I usually feel well enough to get up and walk for short periods. I want to emphasize the word short, rest is very important but sitting down is hard for us moms.

Postpartum Faves

Here is a list of my favorite postpartum products. This is what I use immediately and love the next two weeks after giving birth.

• After Ease Tincture
• Stool Softener
• Momfrieda Peri Bottle
• Geranium Essential Oil – It helps with hormone balance
• Rebalance Tincture
• Stretchy Baby Wrap– I have three of these I love them so much. The easiest way to soothe a newborn.
• Silverette Cups– This was my second time using these and I love them!
• Cloth Pads– Not for the first few days but definitely by the end of the first week.

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