Final stage of labour: What happens after the birth?

This section can last between ten minutes and an hour.
You will remain in the birthing room with the baby.

The baby will be examined by the midwife or gynaecologist.

The afterbirth, also called placenta, detaches from the uterine wall.
You may be required to push gently.
The afterbirth is soft and slides out of the vagina.

The first few hours after birth are very important so that you and your baby can get to know each other in peace. This also makes breastfeeding easier.

Sometimes, at this point a small medical procedure may be necessary:

  • The doctor removes the afterbirth, if it does not detach on its own.
  • The doctor sutures the episiotomy.

For this purpose, you are given a local anaesthetic.

After the birth, the uterus bleeds for approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
This bleeding is known as lochia.