What occurs during the first two hours after childbirth?

During the first two hours after childbirth, the recovery phase is critical for both the mother and the newborn. This period is characterized by important physiological changes as the mother’s body begins to stabilize after the intense experience of labor and delivery. It is a time when the mother is monitored for vital signs, and the process of uterine involution begins as the uterus contracts to its pre-pregnancy size.

In this phase, the mother may experience afterpains due to these contractions, and it is also the prime time for establishing early bonding with the infant, including skin-to-skin contact and the initiation of breastfeeding. These initial moments are crucial for the baby's transition to the outside world and for the mother to receive support from healthcare providers as she begins to recover and adapt to her new role.

Other phases like the active phase of labor, delivery of the placenta, and transition phase refer to different stages of the childbirth process. The active phase of labor occurs before the delivery, while delivery of the placenta happens shortly after childbirth but is not the overall focus during the recovery period. The transition phase refers to the period just before the woman begins to push, which occurs even earlier in the labor process. Therefore, the recovery phase is the correct context during the first