What Happens to Your Body After Baby?

But lost in all the birth stories and baby gear recommendations, there are few things that might not be shared.
Don’t be blindsided by these postpartum topics your mom group probably isn’t talking about.
Shake It Off
Often immediately after birth, you'll experience full body shakes, be it vaginal or cesarean birth, and it’s not always because you’re cold (though the OR can be freezing). There are huge hormonal fluctuations that happen when baby arrives which can cause your body to shiver uncontrollably. Women who are under medication such as epidural or spinal also experience these postpartum chills. Don’t be alarmed, these will go away usually within a few minutes post delivery.
That Disposable (or Reusable) Organ
For a vaginal birth, it can take up to an hour for your placenta to release from your uterus for delivery. Most moms will have to push out their placenta too (I know, WTF right?). The good news is that your placenta is soft, mushy and doesn’t have any bones making it much easier to than your baby!
Stitchin’ The Bits
Perfection takes time! But how much time?
If you’ve had a cesarean birth, your repairs will take roughly an hour AFTER your baby is born.
If you’ve had a vaginal birth and your perineum needs repairs, the normal time frame is 20 minutes to an hour.
Not the kind of panties you’re used to
After all the commotion, before you're taken to your postpartum or recovery room, your nurse will fit you with a pair of ‘fancy’ mesh panties - and then it’s official, you’re part of the mom club. Some moms have ranked these mesh panties high on their list of must-haves after their baby is born if you like them make sure to grab as many as possible from the hospital before you leave!
Shark week…..or month
Wondering why you need mesh panties? After your baby is born, your body eliminates leftover blood, mucus, and tissue (lovely, right?), it’s technical term is lochia. Lochia is like a long period after you have you have your baby, it’s heaviest just after delivery and normal for your body to release large blood clots* and gush every time you breastfeed your baby, thus the reason your diaper sized pads (see below) and mesh panties are your new postpartum BFFs.
Will these fit in my Tory Burch Bag?
If you thought overnight period pads were big, you might be surprised by the whopper that goes into your mesh underoos after your baby is born. To put things into perspective, the postpartum pad is bigger than your your baby's newborn diaper. Rest easy, these broads will catch it all!
I’m not tipping for this shitty massage
Following the delivery, the doctor or nurse will massage (sometimes aggressively) your fundus or top of your utereus, accessible by your lower abdomen. This is uterine massage can be uncomfortable or painful based on your tolerance or different scenarios. This massage starts after your baby is born, sometimes to encourage the placenta release. Your recovery nurse will also massage your belly about an hour after birth, and in intervals (even through the night) for the next 24 hours. This massage helps your uterus contract and ‘clamp down’ which will slow your bleeding and release blood clots. While it may not be the best massage you’ve ever had, your care providers are doing it for a very good reason and do not want to hurt you intentionally. They’ve got your back….and uterus.
There you have it, with a bit of knowledge you'll know what to expect through these normal post delivery events.
Questions? We're happy to help! Ask away in the comments section!
Experienced parents, help prepare other expecting families by sharing what caught you off guard after the birth of your baby in comments section below.
*This blog provides general information about health related subjects. The words and content provided in this blog and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care worker.