Delivery

Your Partner and Delivery

If you have had a vaginal birth you will return to your labor room or stay in your birthing room for about 2 hours after your delivery. Your nurse will check your blood pressure, your pulse and your fundus (the top of your uterus) frequently. She will push on your fundus to make sure it stays firm and monitor your bleeding. She also will teach you how to check your fundus.

If you have chosen to breastfeed your baby, this is an excellent time to start. Your nurse will help you get started and give you some good breastfeeding tips. If you have chosen to bottle feed your baby, then this is a good time to hold your baby and take a good look at him or her.

If you have had a cesarean section you will be taken to the labor and delivery recovery room. This is a special area where patients are monitored after surgery. Your nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and monitor your heart using a special (EKG) monitor. You will be in the recovery room for about 2 to 3 hours. During the first hour after delivery, while you are in the recovery room, only your partner will be allowed to visit. Other family members may wait in the OB waiting room.

Partner's Notes for After Delivery

• This is a good time for you to take pictures of your partner and of the baby. Your nurse would be happy to take a picture of all three of you if you would like.
• Take time to hold the baby and look at him or her yourself.
• When your partner is ready, you can phone family and friends and tell them the good news.
• If your partner is in the recovery room, you can go to the nursery to see how the baby is doing.
• You can also use this time to take a much needed break and get yourself something to eat or drink. The nurse will take good care of your partner while you are gone.