Kirsten Fisch
Co-Founder at - Momentum Health NetworkKirsten Fisch, MSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, LCCE Kirsten is a women's health nurse who specializes in high-risk pregnancy and postpartum care. She is certified in Maternal Newborn Nursing, a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. She works with women from conception through the postpartum period. Passionate about empowering women throughout their reproductive journeys, Kirsten combines evidence-based care with compassionate support to promote the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
When people imagine the moment after birth, they often picture this:
A baby placed gently on their mother’s chest.
Skin-to-skin.
Quiet.
Uninterrupted.
That first hour together, often called the golden hour, is one of the most talked-about moments in childbirth education.
And for good reason.
What Is the Golden Hour?
The golden hour is the first hour after your baby is born, when your baby stays skin-to-skin on your chest with minimal interruption, as long as both of you are doing well.
Research shows that this time can help:
- Support early breastfeeding
- Regulate your baby’s temperature and heart rate
- Stabilize blood sugar levels
- Encourage bonding between you and your baby
It’s simple.
It’s powerful.
And it matters.
So Why Doesn’t It Always Happen?
This is the part that surprises a lot of parents.
Even when everything is going well, the golden hour doesn’t always unfold the way people expect.
Not because anyone is doing anything wrong but because of how hospitals function.
In a busy hospital setting:
- There may be multiple births happening at the same time
- Nurses and providers are often caring for several patients at once
- There are important tasks that need to be completed after delivery
Things like:
- Assessments for you and your baby
- Medications
- Documentation
- Preparing the room for the next patient
All of these are part of safe, standard care.
But they can sometimes interrupt that first hour.
What This Can Look Like
Depending on the situation, this might mean:
- Skin-to-skin time is shorter than expected
- There are more interruptions than you anticipated
- Feeding may be delayed or feel rushed
- The room may feel busy instead of calm
Sometimes everything flows beautifully.
And sometimes it doesn’t.
This Isn’t About Blame
It’s really important to understand:
The people caring for you want this for you too.
Nurses, midwives, and doctors know how important that first hour is. Many do everything they can to protect it.
But they’re also working within a system that has to balance:
- Safety
- Staffing
- Timing
- Multiple patients at once
So when things feel rushed, it’s not because your experience doesn’t matter.
It’s because a lot is happening behind the scenes.
Why This Still Matters
Even if the golden hour doesn’t go exactly as planned, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance.
Skin-to-skin can still happen later.
Breastfeeding can still be successful.
Bonding is not limited to one hour.
But knowing what can happen helps you feel more prepared—and less caught off guard.
How You Can Advocate for Your Golden Hour
If this time is important to you, here are a few gentle ways to support it:
1. Talk about it ahead of time
Let your care team know your preferences during labor.
2. Include it in your birth plan
Even a simple note like “prioritize uninterrupted skin-to-skin if safe” can help.
3. Ask about timing
Some tasks can safely wait, don’t be afraid to ask.
4. Stay flexible
Birth is unpredictable. Sometimes adjustments are necessary, and that’s okay.
The Bottom Line
The golden hour is important.
But it exists within a real-world system that doesn’t always move slowly or quietly.
Understanding that balance can help you:
- Set realistic expectations
- Feel more in control
- Advocate for what matters most to you
Because this moment isn’t about perfection.
It’s about connection.
And that can begin in many different ways.
However your first hour unfolds, it is still yours.
And you and your baby are already learning each other, right from the very start.
Kirsten Fisch, MSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, LCCE Kirsten is a women's health nurse who specializes in high-risk pregnancy and postpartum care. She is certified in Maternal Newborn Nursing, a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. She works with women from conception through the postpartum period. Passionate about empowering women throughout their reproductive journeys, Kirsten combines evidence-based care with compassionate support to promote the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
