the fastest way out of hospital is...???

spod be thankful you know what is happening. When I developed pre-eclampsia when expecting the twins I went through 2 days of trying to induce labour before an emergency c-section was necessary!

Those two days plus the subsequent seven days I spent recovering and trying and failing to get the boys to breastfeed were sheer hell! The hospital was fine if you like that kind of place but I, like you, don't. (I was in over New Years and on New Year Day the kitchen staff gave us stale sandwiches for our dinner! Husbands and partners were phoned with take out orders!)

Four days sounds like heaven and if I ever go through this again I would be quite happy knowing when I could expect to get out. So sit tight and count down the days and enjoy your baby!

Also, I wouldn't get everyone to visit as when there are lots of people crowded into your room (or 4-bed room) it can get dangerously claustrophobic, noisy and hot - not nice. Tell them to arrange visits through your partner so they don't all end up coming on the same day. One of my room mates was in tears because of the amount of wellwishers showing up every visiting time. Despite a 3-people a bed limit they crowded in and she felt she wasn't getting time with just her husband and older son to bond with the baby. Also, I took not well and had to find refuge in the breast-feeding suite, hiding in there with my babies and DH until the hoards had left!

I had a c-section on a Tuesday night and was out the following Saturday and I was quite happy to spend my first days of motherhood with so many midwifes on tap as I was clueless.
I second SueW, you have major surgery and suddenly your life changes completely too, you have another (demanding) person to look after.
I was glad I did not have to worry about cleaning/washing/cooking and visitors were only allowed for a few hours in the afternoon

I've had 2 c/s - stayed in 4 days with dd1, only 3 with dd2. this time I felt more in control of what was happening, but I think it's important to listen to what your body is telling you. it is a major op and the pain (as well as childbirth itself) can be overwhelming. I found getting a room to myself helped with the sleeping and was quite glad to have some time alone with dd2, even if the food was crap
good luck!

I agree with Oakmaiden - or you could always get dh to bring in nurses uniform and smuggle you out in the styke of The Great Escape.... seriously though, I was asking myself the same question only 5 weeks ago. It really is the worst part of the whole procedure. I think the best approach is to grin and bear it and just count the hours as calmly as possible as the less stress you put yourself under the sooner you will be fit and recovered.

Why do I keep reading the title of this thread, and thinking - "jumping through the window".

Probably cos I'm very silly. And not very helpful.

I left after 3 days. In retrospect I could have gone even earlier but only if I had someone at home 24 hours to help (in fact 'do)lots of stuff like nappy changes and picking the baby up for feeds. Things (esp breastfeeding) picked up loads after I'd gone home - I just relaxed loads which was soooo much better. But I wouldn't do it any earlier without literally 24 hour help next time round - felt like crap the first few days. I can't compare it to other surgery but I do know that trying to get out of bed to bfeed and change a nappy while off my head on drugs prob wasn't my best idea.
Looking forward to reading all about the arrival of baby spod btw

Boot1 - there are no rules! No doctor can keep anyone in hospital against their will. You may decide to follow their advice, but you cannot be 'kept' in if you don't want to. If I have another child I am pretty sure I will leave earlier, unless I feel absolutely dreadful. I was amazed how very much better I felt when I got home - but then I'd been in hospital for about six weeks by then!

I think as long as they are happy that you can rest and that you are feeling well enough to travel they'll probably let you out. I had mine under general and wasn't going anywhere for the first couple of days - felt lousy!
I didn't have a bowel pass before I left, nearly a week (not recommended) from op to that. I was visited every other day by the midwife and a doctor popped in on the fifth day to remove the staples.

I had op sunday evening and was kicked out weds evening!

Spod I am the same as you, intense dislike of hospitals. Unfortunately, I had an emergency c-section with my 2nd child so had to stay in for 5 days. It was awful especially as I was up and about the day after. They have to monitor you closely to check for infection etc. As well as that it is a serious operation. I felt good in myself but could not bend the rules no matter how I tried.

My friend had an emergency c-section on the monday and was out tuesday morning. I don't think she had to plead either. I was surprised she was able to get out so soon especially as her dh doesn't drive and they live in the country.

I've had 2 c/s - 1st emergency, 2nd elective. With 1st, staff were lovely (the whole labour thing was a bit of a farce). Baby taken to nursery at night so I could rest, private room etc. I didn't want to leave and the food was nice!!!! With 2nd, own room again, but felt midwives weren't really very friendly. I was discharged after 3 days which really surprised me. Hope it all goes well.

I was like Wiltshire in on the Friday and (kicked)out on the Monday. It was my first child and DH was at home for a few weeks to support me. Remember it is major surgery, so take it steady. Try to go to a hospital where theres a real bed shortage and they'll be in no hurry to keep you.

I went in on Fri was out on Mon. But I will say one thing, take fibogel or similar & windeze in with you. The fibogel will make you go gently. They don't offer a laxative until 3 days in my hosp.

Spod - agree with everyone - you cannot be kept against your will. The extended stay is nothing to do with the baby - it is purely because a C/S is a major abdominal operation. Where I work women are advised to stay for 4-5 days. For 5 days they receive a daily injection of Fragmin to reduce the risk of development of DVT post surgery. It is gaiven at the same time each day so that is something to consider. It certaily is an injection that mums could be shown how to give themselves rather than relying on the community midwife. I am sure you would probably do better at home though, as would most women. Unfortunately women going home early after C/S are asked to sign an irregular discharge form in my area to absolve the hospital of any responsibility should anything untoward happen.

I got the feeling when I was in hospital that it's the mum that's in not the baby. After all its mum that's had the op. So if you feel fine there is no reason to stay as long as you take it very easy at home.

I stayed in2 days after my 2nd 'elective' section I felt much better at home. But if you do go home early try to take it easy

Spod, just to second aloha, they can't keep you there. If you'd like to leave, be really nice and tell them an hour or so in advance (to give them a chance to do all they think is necessary) and then leave. I've never had a c-section but have left (and have taken my son out) of the hospital earlier than the doctors wanted. The key is not to argue, just say what you'd like to do then do it. Hope all goes well and congrats in advance!

I was evicted after 3 nights as they needed my bed ... but I didn't mind at all.
PS ... the 'poo' thing wasn't an issue ... no one asked me if I had done one ... in fact it was a total of 7 days after birth before I did !!!

My friend had a C-section on a Monday morning and came out on the Wednesday lunchtime.

Another friend had a section on a Thursday afternoon and was let home on the Sunday morning.

HTH

I came out after 3 days after my 'emergency' cs. Had the section on Friday night, was home by lunchtime on Monday. I assured themthat I would follow their 'rules' of rest and not doing things, that I had people to help me a home, and I was going to a ground floor apartment so no climbing needed, etc.

They will check your scar is healing okay, and that you are able to go to the doctors.

Oh, and I let them know early on that I wanted out asap (politely of course )

Good luck!

they tried to discharge me 48 hours after my section...needed the bed and I was healing ok. Problems with ds meant we stayed another 48 hours though.