Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta
After your baby is born a lot is still happening. Your baby will still be attached to your placenta by the umbilical cord and your placenta is still attached to the wall of your uterus, along with the empty amniotic sac. Your uterus continues to contract, causing the placenta to detach itself from the uterine wall. The naturally occurring hormone called oxytocin is still being produced within your body to help this process and your placenta passes through the vagina and out.
How long it lasts: The placenta is typically delivered in about five to 10 minutes. In some cases, it may take up to 30 to 60 minutes.
What you can do: It can help to put your baby to your breast immediately since nipple stimulation will increase oxytocin levels and help your placenta be born.
Everyone will be able to tell that your placenta is ready to be born either by a 'separation gush' of blood, or the cord may lenghten a bit, indicating that your placenta has detached and is now going to come out. When your placenta is detached the doctor may gently pull on the cord and you may be asked to take a breath and bear down to assist. After it slides out, it will be closely examined by your caregiver to check that all of it is there. This is to avoid any section beind left inside your uterus, which could cause infection during postpartum.
As your placenta is being born make certain that you do not have cord traction (pulling) from your caregiver. In most cases, the placenta is best left to detach and come out on its own, with only gentle guiding, since hemorrhage, retained pieces or uterine inversion could occur from a doctor pulling it out.
Your health care provider may massage your lower abdomen to encourage your uterus to contract and expel the placenta. Your health care provider will also determine whether you need stitches or other repair work. If you do, you'll receive an injection of local anesthetic in the area to be stitched if it's not numb already.
If you are having a hospital birth you will be offered a shot of pitocin (an artificial hormone) to make sure that you don't bleed too much. In a normal birthing situation, this is rarely necessary. Breastfeeding your baby right away or doing another form of nipple stimulation will cause your body to produce oxytocin that will create more uterine waves and close off the supply to the blood vessels, preventing excessive bleeding from the uterine wall and keeping blood less at a minimum naturally. You can consider declining pitocin if you want, as long as there are no complications and you'll have to speak up immediately if that is what you choose.
**Please note that all routine newborn procedures can be delayed until you two and your baby have had time to bond, and unless a complication arises with your baby, the little tyke does not need to be seperated from you at all. Spending these first few hours getting to know your new baby will help so much with bonding and create memories you'll treasure forever.**
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