What happens after the baby was born, and how are the first days after childbirth?

After the baby was born and from the mouth and nose he sucked the mucus, he begins to breathe on his own. Usually this happens in 10-20 seconds, because in order for the first breath to occur, certain changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems must take place in the child's body. This is due to the fact that, being in utero, the child received oxygen from the mother's blood, and after birth, the way of blood depleted in oxygen varies. Now it flows from the heart not to the placenta, but to the child's lungs. In addition, the accumulating carbon dioxide activates the respiratory center of the child. And, finally, the first breath comes.

Now midwives are not in a hurry to cut the umbilical cord, but put the newborn baby on the mother's abdomen, because the cord receives an additional portion of oxygenated and immune substances from the cord through the umbilical cord. And laying a child on the mother's belly is a positive psychological moment for both mother and newborn.

It is also necessary to immediately attach the baby to the chest. In addition to purely psychological moments, during sucking, the nipples of a woman stimulate, which contributes to the reduction of the uterus. This is because their stimulation causes an additional release of oxytocin.

After giving birth, the woman's body starts to rebuild again. And these changes occur much faster than during pregnancy. After separation of the placenta in the blood, the level of progesterone and estrogens decreases. At the same time, the production of oxytocin and prolactin (a hormone contributing to milk production) is increasing. In connection with this, the mammary glands begin to increase. In them appears in the beginning colostrum, and then, after a few days, milk.

Colostrum is a very important product for a child. It contains a large number of antibodies and leukocytes, which will be useful for the child to fight most bacteria and viruses. It contains many vitamins (A, C, E, B), growth factors, protein substances that activate the metabolism in the newborn. Colostrum also has a mildly expressed laxative properties, which helps the child get rid of the original feces - meconium.

During sucking, a more intensive contraction of the uterus occurs, which leads to the closure of the vessels of the placental area (where the placenta was located) and, consequently, to the stop of bleeding. Bloody discharge persists in a woman usually within 2 days. Then the lochia (namely, the so-called these secretions) become more watery - serous-bloody, and then the blood in them disappears altogether. Lochnia last five to six weeks after delivery until the uterus regains its former size and instead of 1 kg will weigh the usual 50-60 g. These five to six weeks are called the postpartum period.

Your feelings in the first week after childbirth will depend on many things. This is how you gave birth - naturally or by surgery, and what kind of labor you had - light or heavy, with breaks, episiotomy or without. Therefore, it is impossible to list all the nuances of the postpartum period. But here are the main points: physiological phenomena, mental features and complications.

Physiological phenomena (that is, those that can take place in the norm): in the early days you will be pricked by reducing medications, the uterus will contract and you will feel pain in the lower abdomen, similar to contractions. If you were doing epi-zyotomy, you will not be able to sit down for a few days, and it is only natural that you will have a sore sore for a few days. Because of this, you will also experience difficulty walking, and your gait will resemble the gait of a sailor walking along the ship's swinging deck. If to you did or made operation, within two-three days at you the field of a postoperative seam will be ill. Within one or two days, you will experience difficulty urinating. If you are tight and you have bursting vesicles in the conjunctiva of the eyes, as well as small hemorrhages on your face, do not be afraid - all this will take place within a few days! In connection with the "engorgement" of the mammary glands and the rapid presence of milk, painful sensations can arise, and with the beginning of feeding, nipples may crack.

Changes in the psyche. In the beginning, immediately after birth, the woman experiences the greatest relief and joy. Then, as the pain subsided, the mood worsens and euphoria gives way to depressed feelings, insecurity and abilities, a desire to return home quickly, coupled with fear ("What will I do with all this?"). That is, there is uncertainty, will there be enough milk, how to manage everything in the house, and suddenly fail? And if there is no interest in sex - do not hurt her husband, etc., etc., etc.

In addition, many women complain of a significant memory impairment. And what the doctor says is forgotten in a few minutes! This is partly due to stress, partly to changes in the brain (dehydration) that occur during pregnancy. Now, after childbirth, everything is gradually normalized, and while memory is reduced - write down your questions and answers to them.

Complications after childbirth: heavy bleeding (one or even two gaskets per hour); fetid discharge or copious flow of large clots; rise in temperature against the background of fetid discharge. With these complications, you should immediately consult a doctor!