What is a common physiological response within the first hours after a normal vaginal delivery?

The common physiological response occurring within the first hours after a normal vaginal delivery is dehydration. During labor and delivery, a significant amount of fluid is lost, primarily due to amniotic fluid, sweat, and the stress of the labor process. Additionally, women often have lower fluid intake during this time. Consequently, it's common for postpartum women to experience some degree of dehydration, which can affect their overall recovery.

After delivery, hormonal changes do occur, but they are typically more gradual and multifaceted rather than presenting as an immediate imbalance. Anemia might develop later due to blood loss, but it's not typically recognized as a common physiological response in the immediate postpartum period. Perineal infections, while a concern, are not an immediate response and usually take longer to develop.