Slide show: What a newborn really looks like

You've spent an entire pregnancy wondering what your baby will look like. The wait is over!

You may pass many hours marveling at that precious face, caressing tiny fingers and toes — and wondering when (or if) your baby will start looking like the bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked cherubs you see in magazines.

Don't be concerned. Many parents, particularly first-time moms and dads, aren't quite prepared for their newborn's appearance. The last few weeks in the womb and the rigors of childbirth often take a toll. Here's a peek at some real newborns so that you'll know what to expect.

Your baby's head may have an odd shape. This is a common condition known as molding.

During childbirth, pressure from the tight birth canal may cause your baby's skull bones to shift and overlap. This may result in an elongated or cone-shaped skull at birth — particularly if you had a long labor or a vacuum extractor was used during delivery. Even babies born by Caesarean section can have molded heads depending on their position in the womb.

You can expect a more rounded head within a few days.

You'll notice two soft areas at the top of your baby's head where the skull bones haven't yet grown together. These spots, called fontanels, are designed to allow a baby's relatively large head to move down the narrow birth canal. They also accommodate a baby's rapidly growing brain. You may notice slight bulging from these spots when your baby cries or strains.

Soft spots are covered by a thick fibrous layer. They're safe to touch and typically disappear within 12 to 18 months, when the skull bones fuse together.

Pressure on the face during delivery may leave your baby's eyelids puffy or swollen for a few days. The erythromycin ointment often given to newborns to prevent eye infections may leave your baby's eyelids looking like they've been smeared with petroleum jelly.

Sometimes small blood vessels in the eyes break during birth. This may cause red spots on the whites of your baby's eyes. These spots typically disappear within several weeks.

Life in a crowded uterus also may leave some of your baby's facial features temporarily misshapen. Your baby's nose may be flattened or pushed to the side. The outer part of the ears may be folded over. These issues typically correct themselves within several weeks.

The top layer of a newborn's skin flakes off shortly after birth. You'll notice plenty of dry, peeling skin — especially on your baby's hands and feet — for the first few weeks.

You may notice white spots on your baby's face that look like tiny pimples. These harmless spots are known as milia. Later, your baby may develop small red bumps on his or her face. This is sometimes known as newborn acne. Milia typically disappear within a few weeks. Newborn acne may stick around for several months.

Many newborns have birthmarks. You may notice reddish or pink patches above the hairline at the back of the neck, on the eyelids or between your baby's eyes. These marks — sometimes called stork bites or angel kisses — are caused by collections of capillary blood vessels close to the skin. Marks on the nape of the neck usually remain, although they may become less noticeable with normal growth. Marks between the eyes usually fade with time.

Black, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian babies are often born with a large, flat, bluish-gray mark on the buttocks or lower back. Historically termed a Mongolian spot, it's now more specifically called a gray-blue macule of infancy. This type of mark will eventually disappear, but it may take a few years.

A newborn's legs and feet often look bowed or bent, thanks to the cramped quarters of the womb.

As long as your baby's legs and feet are flexible and can easily be moved about, there's no need for concern. The curves typically straighten on their own as the baby learns to stand and walk.

Some babies are covered by fine, downy hair at birth — especially on the back, shoulders, forehead and temples. Tiny hairs may also appear on your baby's ears or in other spots. This is called lanugo.

Lanugo is most common in premature babies. It typically wears off from normal friction within several weeks.

Before birth, the mother's hormones pass through the baby's system. This may lead to swollen breasts at birth — for both boys and girls. The breasts may even produce a bit of milk.

Newborn girls may have a swollen vagina and light vaginal discharge as well. The swelling typically disappears within two to four weeks. Normal vaginal discharge may only last several days.

For some newborn boys, fluid is squeezed into the scrotum during birth. This is known as a hydrocele. The swelling may take six to 12 months to entirely disappear.

The stump of your baby's umbilical cord will change from yellowish green to brown to black as it dries out and eventually falls off — usually within 12 to 15 days after birth. In the meantime, keep the stump clean and dry.

Parents were once instructed to swab the stump with rubbing alcohol after every diaper change. Researchers now say the stump may heal faster if left alone. Simply expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. Sponge baths may be most practical during the healing process.