The Golden Hour after birth
In the past, immediately following birth, your baby was taken to a warmer to be evaluated, weighed, measured, and vaccinated while you, the birthing person, were tended to separately. Thankfully, as we have learned more about labor and birth over the years, things have changed, and “the golden hour" is practiced regularly.
The golden hour, in birth, refers to the hour immediately following the birth of your baby. Assuming that you and your baby are healthy and there are no complications, the golden hour starts with immediate uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby. After your baby is born they are placed on your chest or abdomen depending on how long the umbilical cord is. If your baby is placed on your abdomen, when delayed cord clamping is finished and the cord is cut, your baby is then brought up to your chest. Vaccinations, weight and length measurements, and other medical procedures can be postponed until after the golden hour comes to an end and/or the first latch and breastfeeding session has ended.
This first hour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby has been proven to have long-lasting health benefits for both of you.
Benefits:
Promotes bonding between you and your baby to establish trust and love.
Your baby tends to cry less.
Your baby’s temperature is better regulated.
Your baby’s oxygen and respiratory levels are more stable.
Helps to regulate your baby’s blood glucose levels.
Helps to initiate breastfeeding led by you and your baby.
Helps to regulate heart rates in both you and your baby.
Regulates hormones to decrease stress for you and your baby.
Increased levels of oxytocin can decrease the chances of postpartum hemorrhaging and promote rapid delivery of your placenta.
Decreases maternal anxiety and increases maternal confidence.
This golden hour also gives you the time to take in everything about your new baby. You can count your baby’s fingers and toes, kiss and love your baby, take in each other’s scent, and rest after all the hard work you both just accomplished. This skin-to-skin contact is not broken for at least one hour or until after the latch has been accomplished. On the off chance, there are complications with you, the skin-to-skin contact can be done by your partner or support person until you are able to be reconnected with your baby. On the off chance, there are complications with your baby, they will be brought to the warmer and tended to until they are ready to be reconnected with you. It is always a good idea for you or your doula to add golden hour preferences to your birth plan.
