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Childbirth

Subsequent births - 6 hour discharge or stay the night?

18 replies

AnythingNotEverything · 29/05/2015 13:59

I'm having number 3 soon. Large gap between DCs 1 and 2 and had an extended stay with DC2 due to a number of issues (none of which are likely to recur this time).

DC2 will be 22 months when DC3 arrives. Parents love locally so can come do childcare etc. hospital is 20-30 minutes away.

I obviously don't know what time I'll give birth, but would you/did you go home as quickly as possible with your newborn or stay overnight at the hospital?

I'm starting to think about my birth plan and am not sure whether to request a 6 hour discharge ... Previous labours have been SVD with small tears so no tricky recoveries.

Thanks!

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threenotfour · 29/05/2015 14:07

Definitely go home.

DD1 - long (horrible) stay in hospital due to complications
DS2 - born at home - wonderful
DS3 - born in hospital - great fast birth and I went home 2 hours after delivery. Best decision ever! Delivered at 8.15pm and left at 10.30pm.
It was brilliant to be home and showered and tucked up in my own bed by about 11.30pm. My DPs had been babysitting so got to coo at the newborn for 10 mins then they left. We all had a wonderful nights sleep and my other two woke up in the morning and wandered in see their little brother in the middle of the bed. Then DH got up, made breakfast and me and the baby stayed in bed for the morning. Midwife came round about 11am to check on us. Truly wonderful experience.

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PandaPandaPanda · 29/05/2015 14:08

I went home after 2 hours with dc2 - it was great! Had to go back later for the doctor to do their checks but it was worth it.

I think they had some kind of domino scheme which was why I didn't have to wait for six hours, even though I didn't do anything differently when I went into labour. Nor really sure what the domino thing was but might be worth you asking your midwife about.

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AnythingNotEverything · 29/05/2015 14:15

I understand that if you want to get home quickly you want to have it plastered all over your notes so they can get the necessary checks in place and done.

2 hours sounds lovely! I was in 10 days last time and it was like prison.

Your experiences sound fab.

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Number3cometome · 29/05/2015 14:45

I am a c-section lady so totally different, but I guess the same rules apply in that I know what I am doing now!

DC1- 1 week in ITU (long story, horrendous)
DC2 - Home on day 3
DC3 - Due in 6 weeks and have asked for a next day early release parole

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Number3cometome · 29/05/2015 14:45

Should have said all c-sections

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Number3cometome · 29/05/2015 14:45

Doh I did!

baby brain

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AnythingNotEverything · 29/05/2015 18:07

The consensus seems to be to go home ASAP. Interesting.

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Dogsmom · 29/05/2015 20:21

I'd say see how you feel, I detest hospitals and after dd1 I was certain I wanted to go home ASAP as I felt fine despite a 30 hour back to back labour and was out after 8 hours so when I fell pregnant with dd2 I was sure I wanted the same.
I don't know why but I felt so much more battered after my 2nd labour even though it was half the time and she was the right way round but by the time I was back on the ward I knew I wanted to stay there for the night and not have to go home and have to look after her and dd1, I simply needed the rest.
I didn't sleep much because of noise but just being there took a lot of pressure of me for a few hours and by morning I felt completely ready to go home and was out by 10am.

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WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 29/05/2015 20:24

I had a 3 hour discharge with DD1, didn't request it (didn't even know they offered it) but it was a straightforward birth and they asked if I wanted to go home, and I said yes! Absolutely loved it, first night at home with DD and DH was amazing and a fantastic memory. DD2 is due in 5 weeks and everyone keeps telling me to stay in this time for the 'break'. I have no idea how staying on a postnatal ward with other women/crying babies could be considered a break. All being well I will come home ASAP again.

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Roseybee10 · 29/05/2015 23:34

I ended up having to stay the night because no one was available to discharge me grrr. That was my first. Had my second at home for that reason and others.

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BumgrapesofWrath · 29/05/2015 23:39

I actually enjoyed the hospital stay with DC2, though I didn't want to stay. I look back fondly on that small amount of time I got to spend with him on his own.

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forago · 29/05/2015 23:42

i had a nightmare first birth and 5 day stay in the PN ward which meant I couldn't really have a home birth but I was determined to get the f out of hospital asap with dc2 (different hospital in fairness). We arrived at 3.30, he was born at 4.30 and I left at 7. They were a bit perturbed but didn't try and stop me as there had been no complications. The only person who was upset was the breakfast trolley lady as I was snubbing her breakfast. I had a mouthful of porridge whilst backing out of the room to placate her. We did get a "bye then" from the midwives desk on the way out. The HV a few days later said I'd set a new record. I'd have done it faster if I could have.

DC3 unfortunately had a bit of meconium so I was persuaded to do the 6 hour thing which was ok. I think it's always better to get home where you can have a nice wash in clean shower and get some sleep in your own bed.

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hoobypickypicky · 29/05/2015 23:42

I was out within a few hours of having my first. There was apparently no-one available to discharge me either Rosey, so I said I was going home anyway.

Remarkably they managed to find someone very quickly!

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IvanOsokin · 29/05/2015 23:45

I'd also say see how you feel.

I was in for three nights with my first baby (many years ago now...) and when I had my second, I was told I could go home after a few hours. I chose to stay overnight, though, as I needed the rest and wanted a little oasis of time with him before going home and diving into toddler-wrangling mode.

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elliejjtiny · 30/05/2015 20:14

Go home ASAP. when I was in hospital having DS4 and DS5 it was expected that your partner/visitors would do the non medical caring like bringing you meals, filling your water jug, taking any milk to scbu, sterilizing etc. Since I was on my own I had to do all that myself as soon as my catheter was out. I got more rest at home.

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Totality22 · 30/05/2015 23:13

Depends on time of day I would say

I went in at 5am, had baby by 6.30am, was officially discharged by MW at Midday BUT it took a while before I had all the paperwork etc.

I was home by 2pm though.

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steppemum · 30/05/2015 23:24

home, assuming that you have support.
Which to me means home to bed or sofa and not have to get up except the loo.

My main reason is sleep. I didn't sleep well at all in hospital, too noisy and hot. My own bed is much more comfortable and my moses basket worked tucked up next to my bed better than hospital set up. And when I brought baby into bed it was more spacious than hospital bed.
Plus cups of tea on demand and toddler can see all is normal. Need to be sure that adults are proactive about taking toddler away though. We solved that by me being upstairs in bed for 24 hours and toddler was downstairs with their dad and my mum.

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AnythingNotEverything · 30/05/2015 23:32

Steppemum I think support at home is the key thing - I do think i'll be able to rest at home.

I think I'll write "quick discharge" on my notes and see how I feel on the day.

Thanks all.

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