What to Expect During Your Hospital Stay After Giving Birth

Whether you deliver via Cesarean Section or vaginally there are certain things that every Mom should expect to experience after giving birth. Here I will list for you in no particular order some of the people and things that you and your baby may encounter after giving birth.

Assuming that everything went well and you and the baby are fine expect to be given some time to recover and rest after giving birth. After getting some much needed rest a series of people will be in to see you and your baby. During the duration of your stay you will more than likely be visited by an OB doctor, Lactation Consultant, Pediatrician, Hospital Representative, and Car Seat Inspector.

OB Doctor

An OB Doctor is there for YOU. They will visit you in the days after your delivery. The amount of days that you spend in the hospital can average from just 24 hours after birth to 3 days depending on how you delivered. Babies delivered via C Section pose greater discomfort for Mom after birth and a longer hospital stay than vaginal deliveries. The OB doctor will ask you about any pain, discomfort and look at any incisions that you may have received during labor.

Lactation Consultant

A Lactation Consultant is there to help you learn how to breast feed your baby if you choose to do so. Lactation Consultants are there to help you with any questions you may have about feeding the baby via breast or breast milk. They can aid you with any information you may need or questions you may have about how to feed baby.

Pediatrician

A pediatrician is a doctor for your baby. They will assess the baby in many different ways checking them out from head to toe. If you have any questions of concerns about the baby this is the person to talk to. The pediatrician will likely visit your baby every day that you are in the hospital.

Hospital Representative

A Hospital Rep is there to assist you with all the paper work that you will have to fill out after having a baby. They are also there to help you with any questions you may have about finances. It's likely that they will be the ones to give you paper work on birth certificates, social security cards, Medicaid and other government mandated documentation.

Car Seat Inspector

A car seat inspector is there to ensure that baby has a proper car seat to leave in. Many state laws prohibit a baby from being discharged without a proper car seat. Many times, especially with first time parents hospitals will not discharge the baby without first seeing at least one parent install the car seat.

During your visit baby may be taken for a number of different tests and procedures. Listed below are a few that you may encounter.

Blood tests, or PKU test.
This test is done with a heal stick on baby it will determine if baby has excessive levels of phenylalanine which could indicate retardation. This test is mandated in many states. Studies state that only 1 in 50,000 births test positive for excessive levels of phenylalanine.

Hearing Test
A hearing test is done on baby for obvious reasons. Many newborns may fail in one or both ears, but do not be alarmed as many babies still have fluids in their ears from the birthing process. Expect to have baby retested after discharge if the test did not come back conclusive.

Circumcision
Upon your requests your son may be taken out for circumcision. This is a very simple procedure that's done quickly.

Baby Pictures
Don't be surprised if someone comes by and asks if you would like your baby's picture taken. Sometimes the pictures are done in the room sometimes not. In any case it's a great tradition many families take part in so don't forget special clothes for baby's first picture.