How long did you spend in hospital?

[FanellaFox]

With DC1 I spent 4 nights... however he was on a light blanket so a couple of those nights I had to stay, I stayed the extra to get as much help with breastfeeding as possible.

With DC2 I spent 2 nights. Just to recover and concentrate on BF really, had no complications that meant I had to stay in.

I'm now expecting DC3 and asked my midwife about a private room (you have to pay) as the hospital I'm going to is known for being very busy. I intended on staying 1 night. She seemed very confused about why I would want to stay at all (as long as no complications) as this is DC3. Is it not normal to have a bit of recovary time after giving birth anymore? I was recently told about a first time mum who went home just hours after giving birth.

I feel like a wimp now

With DS 16 hours (overnight) and desperate to get home

With DD had to wait to be stitched for half hour then showered had tea and toast and home - within 2.5hours of giving birth. DH went shopping and I was tucking into Sunday roast a few hours later.
I was very glad to be home so soon

ds1 29 days (he was 33 wks and 3.5 lbs I was allowed to stay too)

ds2 14 days (he was in scbu for congenital pneumonia within 24 hours)

ds3 3 days (discharged myself and ds3 following elcs, they wanted me to stay for another 2 days but had had enough and promised to go home and stay in bed)

DS1 - born at 6:30pm - i was home by 10am
DS2 - born at 3:30am hone by 11am
DS3 born at 3pm and home in time for tea at 6 :)

Dc1- 4 days, he was born in 1991 and I think it waas the norm then in our hospital to rest and recover.

Dc2- I was in for 2 weeks before being induced due to a liver disorder, then stayed a further 4 days after birth as I couldn't swallow solid food.

Dc3- 2 days, he was born late on the first night and I had to stay in the 2nd night as he needed blood sugar tests every 4 hours due to his size.

I agree with the OP, I like to have a couple of nights in with just me and baby, curtain round us and lamp on, cozy!

I feel like it's turned into a bit of a competition when I speak to others. The quicker you're out, the better you are? I look back so fondly on those first few days in hospital, regardless of the crap food and constant noise!

5 nights. I was also in hospital for 5 nights before induction with pre-eclampsia.

Only one DD, stayed in for 24 hours (forceps delivery). Could have left earlier if they had told me that the only reason I hadn't been told I could go was that I hadn't peed enough.

Tragically ended up going back in for five nights due to DD weightloss. So don't be in too big a hurry.

DD - went in Wed for induction. Born 9pm Friday night by c section. Home Monday lunch time. So 5 nights in total, 3 night post birth.

2 nights due to forceps birth.

I did hate being in hospital though, despite having my own room with my own bathroom. I couldn't sleep, couldn't settle or relax and nothing really felt right til I got home. But I was really anaemic and they needd to check I was ok. I pleaded with them to let me home on the Monday.

6 days after emcs. Food was bloody awful, but the OraMorph was goooood

12 days. Ds was in NICU and I wanted to stay and the ward had space. I then had to commute for two weeks which was very stressful. I was lucky. The ward was quiet and my bed was by a window.

Agree about awful food. I weighed less when I left hospital than I did before Ds was conceived!

6 days (also had an EMCS) - was not 'allowed' home as DS did not put on any weight as difficult to establish breast feeding - which I now understand is a side effect of a EMCS - eventually DH had to make a fuss to allow DS to be given formula - he then put on weight & we were allowed home (note - breast feeding worked once we were home and relaxed).

In hindsight I should have been more assertive about wanting to give DS formula and insisting on going home but at the time you tend to believe in the 'professionals'.

dd - 2 days

ds - 6 hours

3 nights/4 days - had an EMCS. Like ragwort, I also had real difficulties establishing BFing but I don't know if that's why we were in that long - I thought that was standard-ish for CSs. Incidentally, we didn't manage to establish BFing and we were sent home with syringes and a cup, but that's another story. I didn't want to leave.

A friend gave birth at exactly the same time that day and was home after lunch and was out for a walk in the park that afternoon. I thought she was mental.

I couldn't imagine going home after a few hours - yikes! Don't we all deserve a bloomin' good rest and have someone keep an eye on us?