The placenta

After your baby is born, more contractions will push out the placenta. This stage can take between 20 minutes and an hour, but your midwife will usually give you an injection in your thigh, just as the baby is born, which will speed it up.

The injection contains a drug called Syntometrine or Syntocinon, which makes the womb contract and so helps prevent the heavy bleeding which some women may experience without it.

You may prefer not to have the injection at first, but to wait and see if it is necessary. You should discuss this in advance with your midwife and make a note on your birth plan.

Afterwards

If you’ve had a deep tear or an episiotomy, it will be sewn up. If you have had an epidural you will not feel this. Otherwise you should be offered a local anaesthetic injection. If it is sore during this repair, then say so; it is the only way that the midwife or doctor will know that they are hurting you. Small tears and grazes are often left to heal without stitches because they frequently heal better this way.

Your baby will be examined, weighed and possibly measured and given a band with your name on it. The midwife will then help you to wash and freshen up. Then you should have some time alone with your baby and the baby's father, just to be together quietly and meet your new baby properly. If you find this doesn’t happen and you would like some time alone, ask for it.