Every woman will react in a different way, emotionally after the birth. As will every partner and support person. It is not uncommon to have feelings of excitement and joy, mixed with sheer relief and exhaustion that she has "done it" and the baby is here.
Women are often acutely aware of the physical and emotional demands of where the labour took them and the hard work it demanded of them. Partners and support people are usually overtaken with emotion and admiration for the woman and overwhelmed with relief that they can soon rest, as their job of supporting is close to completion.
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Emotions for the woman, 3rd and 4th stages
Relief that you have your baby in your arms and that you are both OK.
Overwhelmed at the sheer enormity of what you and your baby have just achieved.
Joy at touching and meeting your child.
Love for your child and your partner.
Feeling shocked or stunned if the labour and birth were quick or quite painful, not wanting to be touched or moved.
Tears, as you release a mixture of emotions.
Laughing with love and joy or laughing and crying at the same time.
Tired and not wanting to do any more - not even to push the placenta out or get up and shower after the birth.
Concerned about how you will be able to protect and look after this little being, a sense of enormous responsibility.
Concerned or frightened if there is something wrong with the baby.
Concerned or guilty if you do not want to hold your baby or be near them.
Disappointed if there is a problem with 3rd stage.
Frightened if you are bleeding heavily.
Invincible knowing that if you can get through birth you can do anything!
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