Here's what you need to know about the immediate moments after your baby makes a grand entrance
<div class="ExternalClassC9886C81D1F2435CA8F5C549A28344C0"><p>
<em>By Associate Professor TAN Thiam Chye Head & Senior Consultant, Dr Janice TUNG <em>Associate Consultant</em>, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital </em></p><p>By week 37 of pregnancy, as the delivery date gets nearer, you may feel nervous and anxious, but don't be! Find out what you can expect immediately after you give birth:</p><h2 id="whathappenstoyourbabyafterbirth">What Happens to Your Baby After Birth
</h2><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/Body%20Care/baby-after-labour.jpg" alt="what happens to baby after birth" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><ul><li>Your baby's weight, length, head circumference, temperature, breathing rate and heart rate will be measured</li><li>Your baby will receive a first immunisation for hepatitis B (first dose) and BCG</li><li>A vitamin K injection will be given to prevent the risk of any bleeding</li><li>Your baby will undergo a thorough check by the doctor within the first 24 hours of birth and a hearing screening a day or two after</li><li>Your baby may also go for a metabolic screening, which is recommended. Do check with your doctor about this test</li></ul><p>
<strong>Related: <a title="Vaccination for your baby" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1050/pregnancy-vaccination-for-your-baby">Vaccination for Your Baby</a></strong></p>
<h2 id="whathappenstoyouafterchildbirth">What Happens to You After Childbirth
</h2><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/Body%20Care/what-happens-to-woman-after-childbirth.jpg" alt="what happens after childbirth" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><ul><li>If both you and your newborn are well, place your baby on your chest after delivery for at least an hour of skin-to-skin contact. This gives you a chance to bond</li><li>Your baby's sucking reflex is the most intense in the first hour after birth so it's a good idea to hold your newborn to your chest — this will encourage and guide your child to feed when ready</li><li>You'll rest in the labour ward (or an observation ward if you've had a Caesarean) before being transferred back to your room</li></ul><p>
<strong>Related: <a title="Confinement Practices and Myths: Part 1" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1068/pregnancy-confinement-practices-and-myths">Confinement Practices and Myths: Part 1</a></strong></p>
<h2 id="whattodoafterchildbirth">What To Do After Childbirth:
</h2><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/Body%20Care/what-to-do-after-childbirth.jpg" alt="what to do after childbirth" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><ul><li>Take the babycare and breastfeeding workshops offered by the hospital. Ask nurses and lactation consultations around to help you if you have any trouble</li><li>You may request to spend 24 hours a day with your baby so you can breastfeed and bond. Let your baby suckle as much as possible</li><li>Get the nurses' help if you have difficulty passing urine or are in pain</li><li>You may have bleeding or what's known as lochia for a few weeks. This is normal. If the bleeding is excessive (soaking at least two pads within an hour), alert your doctor or nurses immediately</li><li>You'll usually be discharged within one to two days after a vaginal birth or two to four days if you had a Caesarean. If you have other medical issues, the doctors may advise you to be hospitalised longer for evaluation and observation. Once you're home, make sure you eat healthy meals and get enough rest. Breastfeeding will take up a large part of your time.</li></ul><p>
<strong>Related: <a title="Care of the newborn" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1047/pregnancy-care-of-the-newborn">Care of the Newborn</a></strong></p>
<p>Copyright © 2016 HealthHub.sg. All rights reserved.</p><p>
<strong>Read these next</strong></p><ul><li>
<a title="Baby has come home: dealing with changes" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1186/baby-has-come-home-dealing-with-changes">Baby has come home: dealing with changes</a> </li><li>
<a title="Breastfeed For The Best Start" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/931/breastfeed-for-the-best-start">Breastfeed For The Best Start</a> </li><li>
<a title="Baby's here! What's next?" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1183/baby-babys-here-whats-next">Baby's here! What's next?</a> </li></ul><p>
<strong>Sources:</strong></p><p>The New Art and Science of Pregnancy and Childbirth 2008, World Scientific</p><p>Healthy Start for your Pregnancy 2012, Health Promotion Board Singapore</p></div>
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Monday, August 13, 2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
<div class="ExternalClassA318562EAD924B8098B4452F01AA643E"><p>Health Promotion Board
3 Second Hospital Avenue
Singapore 168937</p></div>
HPB_Mailbox@hpb.gov.sg
<div class="ExternalClass111EDA75B03F411BAF414BC54BB4E6B5">Established in 2001, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has a vision to build a nation of healthy people.
HPB implements programmes that reach out to the population, specifically children, adults and the elderly. These programmes include health and dental services for school children, BreastScreen Singapore, AIDS Education Programme, CervicalScreen Singapore, Childhood Injury Prevention Programme, Mental Health Education Programme, National Myopia Prevention Programme, Physical Activity, National Smoking Control Programme, Nutrition Programme, Osteoporosis Education Programme, Workplace Health Promotion Programme, HPB Online, HealthLine, Health Information Centre and HealthZone. New programmes will also be initiated over time to address health concerns among the community.</div>
/sites/assets/Assets/Logos%20and%20Official/logo-hc-hpb.png
Health Promotion Board
http://www.hpb.gov.sg
What to Expect After Labour