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Good things do come to those who wait. And those nine months of waiting are almost up. But you may wonder what will actually happen once your baby finally arrives.

To help you prepare, here's a rundown of what to expect during your baby's first minutes and hours of life.

First cries and breaths

Don't be worried if your baby takes his or her first breath quietly. Many babies don't cry right after birth. Still, whether or not your baby debuts with cries, your provider and nurses will closely watch baby's breathing.

If your baby has any trouble, they'll take steps to help. Often the only response needed will be to rub your baby's body. That helps the child be more alert, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

First separation

Inside the womb, your baby received oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical cord. But once your baby emerges, the cord can be cut. This may be done by your provider or another person you'd like to have the honor.

First blanket

Your baby will arrive wet with fluid from the womb and can easily become chilled. A nurse will dry your baby off and wrap your baby in a blanket.

First tests

To make sure everything is OK, your provider will give your baby a test to check his or her general condition. The test is called an Apgar test and it happens at one minute after birth and then again at five minutes, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. It measures your baby's:

• Heart rate.
• Breathing.
• Muscle tone.
• Reflexes.
• Color.

Each area is given a score. Then the scores are totaled. Ten is a perfect total score. Most babies have an Apgar score of 7 or more by five minutes after birth. And that means they're adjusting very well to life outside the womb.

First chance to bond and breastfeed

If your delivery is trouble-free, you'll be able to spend the first hour or so after birth getting to know your baby. Most babies are quite alert during this time. These first moments are an ideal time to hold, nurse and (of course) admire your little one.

First measurements, medicine and other safeguards

Your baby will likely be weighed and measured right away. At some point in your baby's hospital stay, your baby may:

• Get a shot of vitamin K. Newborns typically have low levels of this vitamin. It is needed for blood clotting.
• Be treated with medicated eye drops or ointment. This medicine protects newborns' eyes from bacterial infections that can be contracted during delivery.
• Have a tiny sample of blood drawn. Doctors use this sample to detect many different diseases—such as phenylketonuria, or PKU—that are impossible to spot without a blood test. Left untreated, these diseases may cause serious problems, such as an intellectual disability, or even be deadly. But most babies receive a clean bill of health.
• Very likely have a hearing test. This test finds out how your baby responds to sounds. It uses an earphone or microphone placed in your baby's ear. Finding any hearing problems early can cut the risk of serious language and speech problems.
• Have a hepatitis B vaccine. This shot protects your baby from a dangerous virus. That virus can cause a lifelong infection and serious liver damage.

If you'd like, ask about "rooming in," which means your baby stays in your room with you. This makes it easier for you to breastfeed and bond with the baby you could only imagine until now. 

More pregnancy news

Breastfeeding is not only good for your baby; it's also good for you, mom-to-be. Read more about the benefits of breastfeeding. 

Additional sources: March of Dimes; Office on Women's Health

Reviewed 1/18/2024