Meeting your baby..
The first sighting you will probably have of your baby is at the fetal assessment scan appointment...
This page also looks at your baby at birth and what happens if your baby is unwell at birth.
This page also looks at your baby at birth and what happens if your baby is unwell at birth.
Fetal assessment scan
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In the vast majority of cases, babies are born into the world wet, slightly blue and crying vigorously! The baby is usually placed on the mum's chest once they are delivered, so you both can meet your newborn; a very special moment indeed. Babies need to be dried off fairly quickly as they lose body heat faster while they are wet. Normally, the midwife attending your baby's birth will cut the umbilical cord, do an overall examination of the baby to ensure all is well, weigh them, put a nappy on the baby, wrap them up and return him or her to mum and dad. Image: File:HumanNewborn.JPG From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Your baby may, however, be ill at birth and may need to be cared for in the Special Care Baby Unit at the maternity hospital or may need to be transferred to one of the Children's hospitals for specialized care. You may be aware of this possibility for your baby before the birth or it may only become necessary around the time of the birth.
The hospital provide a parents guide for babies requiring special care. Image: Neonatology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org For more information on special care baby units visit; www.bliss.org.uk/help-for-families/ http://www.olchc.ie/ http://www.templestreet.ie/ |
You will most likely be able to meet your baby in the delivery room after the birth and it will be possible to visit your baby in the Special Care Baby Unit if they need to be cared for there. Your baby will most likely be in an incubator and the staff looking after him or her will help you to touch and hold your baby.
You will be the link between baby and mum until mum is able to visit your baby herself. Image: Neonatal intensive care unit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org |