You may often wonder what happens to your baby after delivery. Care is given immediately after birth. Care is focused on assessing and stabilizing your newborn baby. His or her first 24 hours are critical because respiratory and circulatory failure can occur rapidly. Usually most babies will adapt to extra-uterine life without any difficulty but still, his or her well being depends on the care they will receive from others.

                The immediate need of a newborn after delivery is a clear airway. Even before the cutting of the cord, a medical professional is already eyeing to use a bulb syringe to perform routine suctioning. The bulb acts to assist the baby just in case he or she doesn’t lustily cry. The act of crying (although a shrill cry would mean another thing) is a mechanism in which the baby is able to loosen secretions.

The newborn is a nose breather; he or she cannot breathe through the mouth in response to a nasal obstruction. This is the reason why routine suction is done immediately after birth. Suctioning the nose helps stimulate breathing and suctioning at the back of throat is usually needed when the baby has thick mucus or to prevent meconium from being inhaled. Routine suctioning can be skipped if the baby cries spontaneously and if the amniotic fluid is clear of meconium.

Keeping the baby warm is one of the most important duties of the health professionals concerned. Since a baby adapts to his or her environment easily and will most likely mimic the temperature of the surroundings, all the procedures are done quickly. The blood and mucus on the baby’s body are washed away using warm water or oil or simply by just gently wiping using a cloth.

                Vernix caseosa is also present in a baby’s skin after delivery. This is a milky white to beige substance covering the baby. Spreading the vernix caseosa on the skin is good for the baby to prevent heat loss. The vernix will melt in time so one should not worry about it unless it gets near the eyes or ears.

The umbilical cord is cut thirty seconds after birth. The cord is clamped twice approximately eight inches away from the abdomen and cut in between. When the baby is brought to the nursery, a clamp is again applied ½ to 1 inch away from the abdomen and a second cut will be done. The umbilical cord and the areas around it will be cleansed usually by an antiseptic solution. The cord clamp maybe removed after 48 hours and normally the cord will fall out after 7 to 10 days.

                Foot prints will be taken from the baby as well as his/her length, the weight, and the circumferences of the head, chest, abdomen, arms and thighs.

                A prophylactic eye ointment will also be applied to the newborn’s eyes as protection from some diseases such as gonorrhea and conjunctivitis. Silver nitrate, tetracycline and erythromycin ointments are the usual drugs used.

Vitamin K is also injected on the newborn’s thigh to facilitate the formation of clotting factors.  If available (and based on institutional policies), the baby will be vaccinated as well.

                In between procedures, a medical professional will have to assess the baby in terms of activity, pulse, grimace, appearance and respiration to determine if the newborn needs additional medical attention or intervention.

These nursery procedures are geared towards establishing and maintaining respiration, providing warmth and ensuring safety for your newborn. You may also wish to discuss some options for post delivery care of your baby with your healthcare provider and include it in your birth plan.

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