So you have brand new baby in your life…now what? Now you enter what is known as postpartum. The immediate postpartum period begins after the birth of the placenta. Most midwives continue to see clients and babies until six weeks postpartum.

What happens after the baby is born?

As soon as the baby emerges into the mom's, dad's, or midwife's hands, she or he is immediately lifted up into the mother's arms. We will never say, "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" This is your baby and this is a fun thing to discover. Sometimes a sibling who is present at the birth has the job of telling the family the baby's sex.

Babies born at home are often quiet and alert -- they may or may not give a lusty cry. We carefully observe breathing, heart rate, and muscle tone, and cover the baby with a blanket. We don't routinely use suction, but we will suction if the baby is having trouble clearing the airway. The transition from breathing amniotic fluid in the womb to air outside the womb is an astonishing and complex event. Most babies make this transition seem effortless, but a few need a little oxygen to help them make the change. We carry an oxygen tank and equipment and are trained in Neonatal Resuscitation.

Bonding and Attachment

While we are observing the baby we will also be helping you with the birth of the placenta. After the placenta is born, the cord is cut and then a special time begins, when baby and family bond and start to get to know one another. We give you some private time, while staying close by in the next room.

Keeping the baby naked and skin-to-skin with mom can help the baby to regulate breathing, stay warm, and initiate breastfeeding. Your baby will need to nurse shortly after birth, since labor is hard work for the baby as well as the mom. Nursing also helps to produce your milk supply. After you have an hour or two of getting to know each other, we do a thorough newborn exam and weigh and measure the baby. If you want eye ointment or Vitamin K, we can give these to the baby at this time.

About your newborn baby

Babies are amazing and wonderful little people. Did you know that babies:

• Have many interesting reflexes like grasping your finger, sucking on anything and everything, and moving their feet as if taking steps when they are held in a standing position with their feet touching the floor.
• Turn their heads to look at their dads and other family members when they hear them speak, because they recognize the voices from inside the womb
• Have tiny stomachs, the size of a walnut a birth, and need to eat every two hours
• Can learn to communicate with sign language before they can speak
• Play little games with people, like copying your facial expressions
• Love to be sung to, whether or not you have a good singing voice. Lullabies help to stimulate brain development and promote language acquisition.

Postpartum Visits

We come to visit at 24 to 48 hours after the birth, then at 3 days and 1 week. We will see you at the office at 3 weeks and 6 weeks. We help you get the baby a birth certificate and do the newborn screening for metabolic diseases. During these visits we will also discuss care and feeding of the baby and how the family is transitioning to life with a newborn. The postpartum period can be a very emotional time. Hormonal fluctuations and lack of sleep take a toll on new moms. We're here to lend an ear and offer help and advice as needed.

During the visits we check to see how you are healing from the birth experience. This includes monitoring vital signs and asking about sleep and nutrition. We'll also examine the baby for any signs of illness and check for weight gain. You're responsible for choosing a pediatrician and taking the baby in for his/her first appointment. At the six-week postpartum visit, contraception is discussed and pap smears are available.

Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding is one of the most important things that you can do for your baby. There are so many incredible benefits to breastfeeding. Check out the La Leche League at http://www.lalecheleague.org/ for information and support. We spend a lot of time with you and your baby to make sure that you both get a good start at nursing.

Consider a Postpartum Doula

It's a good idea to start making and freezing meals before the baby comes, and lining up family and friends to come and help with laundry. Still, many find that it can be nice to have a extra set of hands to help with light housecleaning, laundry, errands, meal preparation, and newborn care. This is a special type of doula, who can help you and your family with all there is to do after the new baby arrives. She can also offer breastfeeding support and advice.

Enjoy this precious time. Before long your little one will be grown.