Length of hospital stay - 1st baby

[MorningNoonandNightSickness]

I'm expecting my first baby, planning a hospital birth, & wondered how long I am able to stay after the baby is born. I've been hearing stories of 4 hour turnarounds & am a bit worried! I won't see my midwife again for a few weeks & it's playing on my mind... Thank you

[Tealady1983]

Don't worry your midwife will come the day your released time depending and also the day after. They are only a phone call away. I was out quickly with both of mine which was my choice. What exactly is it that's worrying you x

[CarCiKoTab]

With my first I was in for five days because I was young and he had Jaundice and had to be treated in NICU. I think it entirely depends on hospital, how well mum and baby are doing etc. Not sure whether you can request to stay longer or not. With my second I had him at 2.30am left by 8.00am

[BrianTheMole]

I was told a minimum of 6 hours before they would let me go. I wanted to go though. They did offer to let me stay overnight.

[fledermaus]

With DC1 I was in for about 4 days! DC2 was born first thing in the morning and despite asking to go home asap it still took 9 hours to escape.

If you want to stay in until you feel confident/recovered and have established breastfeeding then they won't chuck you out. Everyone I know has at least stayed overnight with their first baby.

[MorningNoonandNightSickness]

Thank you for replying I think the main thing I'm worried about is that I'm going to give birth & find myself back home before I've had a chance to realise what's happened, or establish breastfeeding. Four/six hours just seems so fast!

[HauntedNoddyCar]

I went out the same day but they would have preferred an overnight stay. That was an uncomplicated VB with no issues for me or dd.

[MrsMillions]

After labouring all day in the birthing pool I ended up in theatre with forceps - DD born just before 8pm on Monday and we went home Wednesday afternoon. The stay was partly to ensure feeding was established and also they wanted me to use the toilet before leaving (I think due to bad tear).

[Essexgirlupnorth]

First baby was born at 6am was discharged at 8pm same day but I wanted to go home having heard so many horror stories about postnatal wards. Probably could have stayed in if I had asked.

[MorningNoonandNightSickness]

Xpost with others then, sorry! Thanks for all your stories, it seems much more nuanced than I'd thought. Watch, I'll be posting because I'm desperate to leave

[PickleMobile]

I gave birth on Monday morning and was home on Wednesday evening. They kept me in an extra day as we hadnt mastered breastfeeding yet.

[Ceets]

I had an ECS so didn't have a choice about staying in for a few days. Our hospital had very strict (and short) visiting hours for fathers and my husband felt left out for the first few days. If you do end up discharged quickly it means Dad and baby will get to spend unlimited time together from the beginning. A bit of a silver lining if you are still concerned...

[eurochick]

Why do you think you won't see your midwife for weeks? They will usually visit you at home in the days following the birth.

[fledermaus]

I think she means she won't have another ante-natal midwife appointment for weeks so can't ask her midwife about it at the moment.

[pinkgirlythoughts]

I gave birth on Monday morning and didn't leave until Thursday night because breastfeeding wasn't going very well. Several midwives tried to encourage me to just give formula so I could leave quicker, but I was determined not to go home until he was feeding from me! [stubborn git emoticon]

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Just bear in mind that, especially at big, busy hospitals, hospital may not be the best place to establish breastfeeding. Personally I feel that often the community midwives are better placed to help you with minor-ish problems than the post-natal ward.

In most cases, how quickly you are discharged will depend on the complexity of the birth and the health of you and baby.

[stargirl1701]

I gave birth in a midwife unit and stayed 4 days. Due with DC2 in Aug and hoping to stay a week (max allowed ). Tbh, if I could I'd stay a fortnight!

[EvilHerbivore]

About 12 hours, DS1 was born 1.30am and we were discharged at 1.30pm - was a completely straight forward labour with no issues though and I felt fine so was glad to be going

[MorningNoonandNightSickness]

Thank you so much everyone. I'm feeling much better about it now (& slightly daft for worrying in the first place!)

[Roxie85]

I went to a midwife unit where they let you go after 6hours if all is ok but you can stay for up to 24hrs (your choice and dh can stay with you too which was my plan)
Unfortunately due to a bad tear i was shipped to hospital and as i had to have surgery and an epidural it meant a catheter which had to stay in for 12hrs and then i had to provide enough pee before going home. Gutted as i gave birth at 10:49am didnt get out of surgery until 5pm due to other cases and then didnt get discharged until 2pm the next day as everyone wanted to be discharged as it was xmas day!
I dont think anywhere will make you leave earlier than 24hrs to be honest.

[Doilooklikeatourist]

DS was born just before midnight on the Thursday , and I went home on Monday , after lunch .
I had a long labour , ending in forceps , episiotomy and large blood loss .
( you'll be fine though :-))
I had to have a blood transfusion , and couldn't pee , so had a catheter inserted . grim
I was in a 4 bedded ward , but luckily had the place to myself
DS was an awful feeder , but I was desperate to go home !
The midwife visits , then the health visitor , we had a doctor round too .
Go home ASAP , it's much more comfortabl , peaceful and private .

[Tealady1983]

Don't feel daft morning it's all new and scary and we all feel a little overwhelmed at times. You did the right thing to ask and reassure yourself I like many others was desperate to go home you will prob find you are too lol good luck x

[Salmonspringroll]

I had a straightforward birth, no drugs, only a few stitches and bf, had DD at 14.04 and stayed in until the next morning 10am. Was actually quite glad to stay in and get some rest before the onslaught of visitors. Paid for a private room, midwives bought me tea, just me and baby.... heaven