After the birth

You may get the 'shakes' and feel cold immediately after the birth. This is all normal and is part of your body adjusting to the change in temperature, loss of fluid and the sheer impact of giving birth. Don't expect your tummy to be flat straight away, you'll still have a bit of a jelly belly for the following few weeks. You might also feel a bit swollen or bruised down below, and shortly after the birth the midwife will take a look to see if you need any stitches.

With a little tear there's usually no need for stitches. But if they are necessary, your midwife will inject some local anaesthetic into the tear and wait for it to make the area numb before she starts.

The stitches are dissolvable, which means there's nothing to be removed afterwards. If you need stitches after a home birth, your midwife might suggest that she does the job while you sit on a towel on the sofa. If you're in hospital, you might be asked to put your legs in stirrups while lying on a bed.

Remember, this is still your birth experience and you should feel comfortable during this procedure. If the tear isn't bleeding, ask for it to be left alone and get the midwife to re-check it after an hour or so.

Love at first sight?

Let your midwife know if you want your baby placed straight on you after the birth. Skin-to-skin contact is great for encouraging bonding and breast-feeding and it also helps to keep your baby warm. Some newborns are covered in vernix, a white, sticky substance that helped waterproof the skin and keep then warm in the womb. Others look a bit 'squashed', grumpy and blue, but they're all beautiful!

If you want to breast-feed immediately, then do so. Then again, you might feel exhausted and happy for your partner to hold them while you have well-earned rest.

Some women fall in love instantly with their new baby, but there are plenty who don't. Mums often feel exhausted and just want to sleep, and will gradually grow to love their baby. Not many will admit to this, but it's very normal.

- Next: find out about bleeding

More help and advice

- What happens when you're induced?
- Embarrassing pregnancy questions answered
- Caesarean births explained
- Pain relief options during labour

By Anne Richley