Usually a few minutes after the baby is born (although sometimes an
hour or more will elapse) the mother will feel a brief return of the
labor pains which had ceased with the birth. These are due to
contractions of the uterus as it seeks to expel the afterbirth. _Do not
pull on the cord to hurry this process_.
Some bleeding is to be expected at this stage. If there is a lot of
bleeding before the afterbirth is expelled, the attendant should gently
massage the mother's abdomen, just above the navel. This will help the
uterus to tighten, help the afterbirth come out, and reduce bleeding.
It may be desirable to put the baby almost immediately to the mother's
breast for a minute or two on each side even though the mother will
have no milk as yet. This helps the uterus contract, and reduces the
bleeding.
Someone should stand by the mother and occasionally massage her abdomen
gently for about an hour after the afterbirth is expelled. After that
the mother should feel the rounded surface of the uterus through the
abdomen and squeeze firmly but gently with her fingers. The bedding
should be cleansed and the mother sponged. Washing and wiping of the
vaginal area should always be done from the front to the back in order
to avoid contamination. A sanitary napkin should be applied.
Keep the mother warm with blankets. She may have a slight chill. Give
her a warm (not hot) drink of sweetened tea, milk, or boullion. Wipe
her hands and face with a damp towel. She may drop off to sleep.
The mother's diet after delivery may include any available foods she
wishes. She may eat or drink as soon as she wants to, and she should be
encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, especially milk. Canned milk can
be used and made more palatable by diluting with equal parts of water
and adding sugar, eggs, chocolate, or other flavoring.
For the first 24 or 48 hours after delivery, the mother will continue
to have some cramping pains in the lower abdomen which may cause a
great deal of discomfort. Aspirin may help relieve these afterpains.
She should empty her bladder every few hours for 2 days following the
birth. If her bowels do not move within 3 days after delivery she
should be given an enema.