The Placental Stage
What happens after the baby is born
labor
Delivery of the Placenta
After the baby is born, contractions continue, but much milder, to detach and expel the placenta. This usually takes 5-30 minutes. The caregiver may gently guide the placenta out or ask your partner to give one or two small pushes.
Your Role
Stay with your partner. Offer praise and comfort. The focus shifts from the birth to meeting the baby. Your partner may be holding the baby skin-to-skin, which helps release oxytocin and aids placental delivery.
After the Placenta
The caregiver checks that the placenta is intact (retained fragments can cause bleeding). Your partner may receive a gentle uterine massage and medications to help the uterus contract down. This is normal and important for preventing hemorrhage.