The process of labour and giving birth is extremely hard physical work and emotionally demanding at times. How the woman physically recovers and feels during the 4th stage of labour will depend on how long or short the labour was, what type of birth she had, if there were any complications, if she had pain relief and how your baby is after the birth.
Some common physical signs can include:
Alert and euphoric. The hormones of labour and birth are amazing things. For many women, after barely being able to lift your head off the pillow, the birth of the baby can make you feel suddenly alert and unable to rest, even if the labour was long and exhausting. In fact it is not unusual to find the mother literally 'buzzing' with 'after the birth glow' an hour after the birth and her partner and support people to be asleep in the chair!
For many women this 'euphoria' can last up to a couple of days, with many finding it difficult to sleep and needing to 'share their experience' with anyone who will listen.
Exhausted. For a few women their body will literally 'run out of steam' feeling wrung out and exhausted after the birth. They may not have the energy or the inclination to hold their baby immediately. If this is the case follow your needs, your partner or support person can hold the baby close by for you. You may need some space to rest, eat some food and drink fluids or maybe you feel you need some nurturing.