The woman's physical recovery in the 4th stage
The 1st hour following the full expulsion of the placenta, after your baby is born, is often referred to as the 4th stage of labour. It is the time that the woman's body stabilises and her baby fully adjusts to life outside the womb. It is also a time for the mother to rest, eat and drink, for the baby to be fed, checked, weighed and measured, to take photos, freshen up, ring friends and relatives and perhaps have some form of celebration.
You will usually spend the 4th stage of labour in the place where you gave birth, either in the delivery suite, birth centre or at home. If you gave birth by
Caesarean then the 4th stage of labour will take place partly in the operating theatre, as the incision is being repaired (taking about 30 minutes), and partly in the recovery ward.
For the caregiver, the 4th stage is a time to frequently check the woman's physical wellbeing, her blood loss, feel if the uterus is contracted, possibly take her blood pressure and pulse (if they are concerned) as well as check the woman's genitals for any tears or grazes, and put in stitches if necessary.
On average about 35 to 45% of Australian women will receive stitches to their genital area after giving birth vaginally. This will vary depending on where the woman had her baby, the birthing position she was in, the speed of the birth, if
forceps were used, whether this was her first, second or subsequent baby or if her caregiver has given her an episiotomy. These factors and others are discussed in detail in
episiotomy and tearing. For further information about stitches and care of stitches you can read this in class 7
the woman's perineum after the birth.
The woman's physical recovery in the 4th stage
The process of labour and giving birth is hard physical work and emotionally demanding.