Shortly after birth, babies may look a bit odd. Babies who are delivered vaginally may have a molded or cone-like shape to their heads. This shape may last for up to two weeks. Some babies whose heads were pushed against the cervix may have a lump known as a caput succedaneum. This usually disappears in a day or two.

Other features of a newborn include hair that may (or may not) fall out before being replaced; vernix caseosa coating (a protective coating that covers the baby’s skin prior to birth); lanugo (fine, downy hair on a newborn baby’s shoulders, back, forehead and temples).

Barring medical problems, the mother will be allowed to hold the baby and may be allowed to breastfeed for the first time.

New mothers and their infants usually spend a day or two in the hospital following a vaginal birth. Caesarean birth or a birth complicated by other issues may require a longer hospital stay. It is not unusual for mothers to experience some discomfort following delivery. This is often related to afterbirth pains caused by the uterus as it contracts and relaxes before returning to normal. Contractions usually last a few days and tend to be more mild after initial births and stronger after subsequent births. To reduce such symptoms when they occur, mothers should:

• Change their position
• Lie with a pillow under their abdomen
• Empty their bladder frequently
• Take any medications prescribed by a physician

During the hospital stay, the baby may receive initial vaccinations against diseases such as rubella and hepatitis. In addition, the mother may learn how to feed, bathe and change the baby.

Premature infants often spend some time after birth in a neonatal intensive care unit. This is an area of the hospital specially designed to provide appropriate warmth, nutrition and protection for preterm babies to ensure proper growth and development.

When parents are ready to bring their baby home, they will be required by law to strap the child into a special car safety seat. These seats should be purchased prior to labor and should be approved for use by newborns.

After delivery, the new mother eventually will settle in to her day-to-day routine. During this time, she also may continue to experience symptoms related to the end of her pregnancy. These include:  

• Breast swelling. The mother’s breasts may be full and hurt for several days after delivery. A support bra can help relieve these symptoms. Women who are not breastfeeding may use ice packs to relieve discomfort. Stimulating or pumping the breasts will only make the situation worse.
  
  
• Pain from an episiotomy (small incision in the vaginal tissue made to facilitate delivery) or vaginal tear. Women who have an episiotomy may use cold packs right after delivery to relieve discomfort. Later on, heat – via a heat lamp or warm baths – may be more appropriate and may help speed the healing process.
  
  
• Hemorrhoids. During pregnancy, labor and delivery, hemorrhoids may flare up and swell. Sprays, creams, and dry or wet heat can provide relief.
  
  
• Constipation. Some new mothers experience constipation, and those who have had an episiotomy or who have hemorrhoids may find bowel movements to be painful (dyschezia). Diets high in fiber and drinking plenty of water, milk and juices (such as prune juice) can help.
  
  
• Emotional changes. Around one week after delivery, many women begin to notice mood changes. These include being tired and feeling overwhelmed or depressed, and may be a sign of postpartum depression or “baby blues.” In most cases, these feelings disappear after a few weeks. However, if these symptoms do not dissipate, a physician and/or mental health professional should be consulted.

A new mother’s body will also begin to return to normal and reverse many of the changes that have taken place over the 40 weeks of pregnancy. These changes include:

• Abdomen. Within one week of delivery, the opening of the cervix will shrink back to the size of a dime. Within two weeks of delivery, the weight of the uterus will decrease from 2.5 pounds to only two ounces. It also will recede away from its post-delivery position of pushing against the navel. It will take time before stretched abdomen muscles become tight again.
  
  
• Hair loss. It is not unusual to lose large amounts of hair a few weeks after delivery. The normal growth cycle will resume shortly thereafter.
  
  
• Lochia. This is a form of vaginal discharge made up mostly of blood and what remains of the uterine lining following pregnancy. Discharge is bright red initially, but becomes pink and decreases in volume over time. Within 10 days, the discharge becomes white or yellow. Tampons should not be used while the flow is heavy.
  
  
• Menstrual periods. Menstruation usually returns seven to nine weeks after delivery. Periods initially may be shorter or longer than previously, but will gradually return to normal. Some women who are breastfeeding will not experience a return to normal menstruation for months. However, it should be noted that despite not having periods, women can still become pregnant.

Recommendations on resuming sexual intercourse vary. Some physicians will suggest that women return to sex as soon as they feel comfortable. Others suggest that women refrain from intercourse until after their six-week checkup.

Women should call their physician if they experience certain changes in health, including:

• Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
  
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
  
• Painful urination, burning or a strong and sudden need to urinate (dysuria)
  
  
• Heavy bleeding
  
  
• Pain, swelling and tenderness in the legs
  
  
• Chest pain and cough
  
  
• Hot, tender breasts
  
  
• Pain between the vagina and the rectum that gets worse over time