"What Are They Doing To My Baby Now?"
The First 48 Hours of Your Baby's Life

Information here is not meant to be a substitute for interaction with your physicians and information from birth classes, and is based on typical situations. Individual situations may vary.

Having your first child is an exciting time. You wait in anticipation for a seemingly eternal nine months to see and hold your baby for the first time. You imagine his or her smiling face, faint whimpers, laughter, and the many marvels your baby will soon unveil. Expectant parents are thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, part and parcel of which are feelings of confusion and nervousness. You have never experienced this before. There are may be things you are unaware of, many procedures you are unfamiliar with, and many questions you might not have answers to. You try to read as much as you can and ask all the right questions. But when the time comes, you are obviously preoccupied.

From the moment of birth to the time of discharge from your hospital, your baby will experience a battery of tests, screenings, and procedures. You may find yourself asking, "What are they doing to my baby now?" The following rundown will give you a better understanding of your baby's first two days of life.

Depending on the intensity and length of your labor, your baby's head may be slightly cone shaped. In order to fit through the birth canal, the head will take on a shape that is more easily passable. This is normal, and it's important for dad to know that the misshapen head and off-color may be startling upon birth. Your baby will be immediately dried off and have its mouth, ears, and nose suctioned. Your baby must be wrapped in blankets to stabilize his temperature. Soon after, the baby will turn a healthy pink color. Mom and baby will be able to bond briefly before the baby is taken to a bed warmer for the next series of steps.

In the nursery, your baby is examined. He will receive a vitamin K shot to prevent blood clotting and an antibacterial ointment is rubbed over his eyes. Once his temperature is stable he will be given a bath. Whether you are breast-feeding or not, the baby will be brought back to you for his first feeding. Nurses should be available to assist and answer questions you have. If the baby's health is good, he will be allowed to stay with you in your hospital room. Nurses will visit every few hours to check your baby's vital signs.

The second day is even busier for your baby! The American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that all newborns should receive a hearing screening when they are 24 hours of age. Significant hearing deficits are present in 1 to 3 of every 1,000 newborns. Earmuffs are placed on your baby while nurses measure the baby's brain responses to the sounds. The test only takes a few minutes and the results will be ready for you by the time you leave the hospital. If your baby is unable to pass the test, you will receive instructions for follow up steps. It is important, however, to have your child's hearing checked as they grow to prevent any delay in their speech and language.

A blood sample will also be taken from your baby. Obtained by pricking the baby's heel, the blood will be tested for conditions that can cause illness. Some of these blood tests are required by law, and an excess of 30 other tests can be performed from that sample to supplement the health screening. While these conditions are rare, they are usually serious and need to be treated immediately.

The first of three Hepatitis B shots will also be given. The vaccine is given in the thigh or upper arm. The second shot should be administered at one or two months of age, and the third shot between six and 18 months.

The second day is also when male newborns are circumcised. If you make the decision to have your baby circumcised, nurses will instruct you on how to care for it.

Before being discharged from the hospital, the birth certificate must be completed, and the name and contact information of your pediatrician must be given.

All of this information, and so much more, can be obtained from attending childbirth classes, which are especially recommended for first time parents. Being informed and aware of what takes place makes the transition to parenthood much easier.

With the comfort and security of knowing that your newborn was properly tested and cared for, you can enjoy your time with your newborn.

Editorial provided by Jan J. Volin, MD and Colleen Kirsch. Jan J. Volin, MD, is a neonatologist on the medical staff at Jeanes Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia. Colleen Kirsch is a journalism student at Temple University, interning in the Marketing Department at Jeanes Hospital.