Contractions during the birth phase are usually:
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Still present, but remain 4 to 7 minutes apart, as they have been throughout the 2nd stage. Once the baby is born the uterus usually naturally rests for 5 to 20 minutes, after which it will contract to deliver the placenta. This process is hastened (5 minutes or less) if an injection of Syntocinon has been given. |
Things to consider in the birth phase
Things to consider for the birth phase can include:
The baby is born in one contraction
Not wanting to hold your baby
Baby searching and wanting to feed
Siblings
Complications
The baby is born in one contraction. Some babies don't care about waiting for the second contraction for their body to be born. Occasionally, the baby's head and body are all born at once. This is more common with women having their second or subsequent baby's, if the baby is small, or if the contractions are coming very fast and frequently in the 2nd stage. Some babies are a little 'stunned' after being born this way, and may take up to a minute or so to catch up with the fact that they have arrived.
Your caregiver may need to stimulate your baby to help them respond by rubbing their skin (with either their hands or a bunny rug). It may be necessary to give the baby some oxygen as well. Most babies will respond within a minute or so of doing these things.
The woman often feels stunned herself that her baby has arrived so quickly. It may take her a while to assimilate what has happened. A fast birth can often mean the perineum has torn, because the perineal tissues didn't have the time to stretch up enough and may require stitches. Your caregiver will probably be taken a little by surprise at the quickness of your baby's arrival. This is sometimes referred to as a 'precipitate birth' and is discussed in more detail in Fast Labour and Birth.
Not wanting to hold your baby. The media image and social expectation, is that women naturally want to pick up their baby and cuddle them soon after the birth. The reality is that many women do not wish to hold their babies straight away, often needing some space and time to mentally come to terms with the fact that it is all over.
This can be particularly so if the labour has been very short and rapid, or very long and exhausting. Some women who have specific concerns (such as the health or sex of their baby) can also be reluctant to look for a while. All these situations are very normal, and it is important to be allowed to follow your own needs. Your partner or support person may like to hold the baby while you gather thoughts and be with your own feelings.
Baby searching and wanting to feed. A few babies come out searching and mouthing, wanting to nuzzle into the breast straight away. More commonly though, the baby will need about 20 to 30 minutes to 'adjust' before being interested. Holding them close to you (or your partner) and obtaining eye contact with them is important.
A baby's strongest sense is their smell at birth, and it is good for them to be able to smell their parents. If the mother is holding them with skin to skin contact (with a rug wrapped around the outside of the baby to keep them warm), within half an hour to an hour they will normally search out the breast to feed. Feeding within the first hour after birth increases the success of breastfeeding and takes the opportunity for the baby to feed when they are alert. Babies will normally slip into a prolonged sleep (up to 6 to 12 hours) after being alert for an hour or so after the birth. (Mother Nature's way of giving the woman a break and the baby time to recover from the birth).
For women who choose to bottle feed, they can allow their baby to occasionally nuzzle, or suck briefly, on the breast if they feel inclined, or offer their baby a bottle at this time.
NOTE: If the mother has had a narcotic injection (such as a Pethidine) less than 4 hours before the birth, the baby may be drowsy and not interested in feeding (and so might the mother!)
Siblings. If this is your second or subsequent baby and you have your other child(ren) around, you may like them to come and meet their baby brother or sister now. When and how you do this will depend on your circumstances and how you are feeling at the time. Bear in mind that the placenta may not be delivered at this point, you may like to consider whether you want your older child to be present for this.
Complications. If there have been complications and the baby needs to be attended to by the Paediatrician or go to the intensive care nursery, the partner or support person may need to be with the baby. If the baby is taken out of the room the partner can go, but the mother will be unable to be with them immediately. It is important that someone stays close to your baby, talking to him or her and touching and stroking them if possible, depending on the circumstances. This will be covered in more depth in your baby soon after birth, in class 10.