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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Will hospital chuck me out or can I stay until bfind is established?

29 replies

PrincessScrumpy · 03/06/2011 16:32

dd1 was born naturally and I was in over night but then very much told I could go home. It didn't occur to me to challenge this even though I hadn't managed to bf dd without assistance.In the end I wished I'd stayed a second night.

Now I'm 24w pg with twins and am having a cs at 37w (if they stay put that long). I saw the consultant on Thursday and he said they'd keep me in for 2 days after cs but then i can go home. If all goes well then that sounds fine but bfing 2 babies is quite daunting and even caring for 2 is a bit scary. Does anyone have experience of staying longer than 2 days after cs for thiese reasons? (Obviously I'm assuming babies are fine and not in SCBU).

OP posts:

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4pudding · 03/06/2011 16:38

I did! I cried and they let me stay an extra night. Bf'd successfully until 16 months so was totally worth it.

AnyFuleKno · 03/06/2011 16:52

I found it much easier to learn breastfeeding outside the hospital. Sitting on a sofa with your own cushions, tv etc is much nicer for feeding than a narrow hospital bed, and I found that the assistants at the hospital knew sweet FA about breastfeeding.

metalelephant · 03/06/2011 18:03

Maybe you could contact a private breastfeeding councilor, she could give you advice before the babies come and then come to your house for one to one.

I found it difficult to get support in the hospital, everybody was so busy they only stayed with me for minutes and then rushed off.

This time I will get a breastfeeding councilor myself...

QTPie · 04/06/2011 09:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

harrygracejessica · 04/06/2011 10:28

I didnt breastfeed but regarding the caring for 2 babies it really isnt as bad as you would think!! I have 2 sets of twins the girls are nearly 3 and boys who are 6 weeks and I wont lie and say its easy cos its not but once you start getting in a routine it does get easier :)

WidowWadman · 04/06/2011 10:44

My hospital would have let me stay if I had asked for it and actually wanted to see that feeding worked before happily letting us go. They do make a big deal out of breastfeeding and the midwives spend a lot of time with me giving advice and helping me both times.

KatieMiddleton · 04/06/2011 11:01

You'll be due in about September time? This is one of the most busy periods (9 months after Christmas & New Year) so the hospital may not have room for you and if they do, may not have enough staff to spend any real time with you due to higher volume of women delivering than normal. Also as AnyFule says not all staff are helpful when it comes to breastfeeding so if I were you I'd be getting my own support network together ready for when I cone out of hospital.

I would contact NCT and/or La Leche League to find out who your local counsellors are. Many give their time for free to help women. I would also have the telephone number for the NCT breastfeeding helpline on standby and get details of local Baby Cafe/breast friends groups - your local NCT branch should be able to help you with that. I would also ask if there are any peer supporters. They can be very supportive and often have a bit more time to give.

MrsHerculePoirot · 04/06/2011 11:06

I think it might depend on how busy the post natal wards are. I chose to stay an extra night purely to establish bfing and it was the best thing for me but the hospital I went to isn't as busy as others and so they were more than happy for me to do that.

Others have good suggestions for getting help from elsewhere though if that isn,t possible at your hospital. Maybe you could speak to them to ask what they think?

midori1999 · 04/06/2011 11:13

Does you rhospital have a breastfeeding counsellor? The hospitals near me all do now and although they are not all hugely experienced, they will get any info you need if they cannot help you themselves, or refer you on to someone who can help you. They can see you in hospital and be available for telephone contact or 'outpatients' appointments once you are discharged from hospital.

When I was exclusively expressing for a baby in NICU and in fact in this pregnancy when I wanted ot find out about colostrum harvesting prior to the birth, I found them invaluble.

Original poster

PrincessScrumpy · 05/06/2011 15:02

I'm not so worried about technique as I successfully bf dd1 for 8 months and only stopped as I was ill. It's more the confidence of caring for 2 babies and a 3-year-old 2 days after having a cs. Friends all work. dh will be there to help but we will be alone at night. 2 days after a cs seems quite a quick turnaround.

OP posts:

QTPie · 05/06/2011 18:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 05/06/2011 18:17

My hospital would not discharge Ds and I until feeding was established for 24 hrs.

theborrower · 05/06/2011 22:45

I had an EMCS and was in 4 days, and I left hospital with syringes and a baby cup never having managed to latch her on, even the once (long story, but I did manage to go on and mix feed).

2 days with twins sounds like a really quick turnaround for a CS to me! I don't know if I was in longer because of the feeding or the EMCS bit, but a friend (who didn't have problems BFing) was also in 4 days after her EMCS.

Hope all goes well x

Chynah · 05/06/2011 23:00

I couldn't get out the hospital with my first ELCS as he would not latch on and they were 'oh so concerned' but not enough to actually help me in any positive way other than not let me leave! Then there was the lovely auxilliary in day 3 who gav me a beat pump and we were sorted - lovely lady!. 4 days later I managed to escape. By contrast with my second the paediatrician didn't even see her till day 3 (and then only cos we were being discharged) I saw a midwife at rounds inkly and then she just stuck her head roud the curtai.

ShowOfHands · 05/06/2011 23:05

I was discharged 12hrs post emcs. DD hadn't fed and as they signed the discharge papers, my catheter was still in situ. They were practically pushing me out the door. They desperately needed the bed.

I would NEVER rely on them offering help again.

theborrower · 06/06/2011 19:27

showofhands Hello again :)

12 hours?? Woah. The mind boggles...

ShowOfHands · 06/06/2011 23:19

Wotcha theborrower.

I doubt the frankly lacking postnatal care helped with my state of mind post birth. They were absolutely desperate for the bed. In a way I don't blame them, they were woefully understaffed.

PenguinArmy · 07/06/2011 05:48

Them saying you can go home is not the same as them telling you to go home. It's a very subtle pressure that appeals to our Britishness. I stayed until I felt comfortable with feeding, was in PN 3 whole days in the end. Wasn't a CS but was third tear which I was initially told should be a about 3 days stay until I had performed certain movements, but then on the second day I was being asked repeatably if I wanted to go. Luckily a MW told me that I could say no.

PenguinArmy · 07/06/2011 05:48

there were loads of empty beds as well so not sure what the pushiness about.

TheSkiingGardener · 07/06/2011 06:07

Mine didn't want me to leave as breastfeeding wasn't established. But since none of their experts had any clue what to do I forced my way out! I would agree with telling then you are staying for another night if you need to but looking at other forms of support that can be longer term.

PorkChopSter · 07/06/2011 06:34

I would have thought it would be easier at home with DH to help you, than at hospital when you are by yourself?

chutneypig · 07/06/2011 06:50

I found the postnatal care was lacking when I was in with my twins after my section. They were very keen on helping me establish BFing, but 10 sets of contradictory advice were worse than useless. As to any other help, none - I was given no advice on post section recovery, bathing, anything.

I was in for 5 days and was desperate to get out after 2. I found I got a lot more support at home from DH and the community midwives. I'd been so enormous towards the end that although I had some discomfort from the section it seemed a relief in a way, and didn't hinder me too much. But I didn't have an older child which I think would be more of a physical strain.

Cosmosis · 07/06/2011 17:24

I stayed till bfing established (an extra night). Do you know if it's a baby friendly hospital? if so you should certainly be allowed to stay.

Original poster

PrincessScrumpy · 07/06/2011 19:12

Aren't all women's hospital/midwife led wards "baby friendly"? I only see consultants so I think I need to make a mw appointment to talk about these kind of things.

OP posts:

pink4ever · 07/06/2011 19:24

I am at some of your stories. With eldest I was in for 8 days as he was a small baby and wouldnt latch on. Midwives couldnt have been nicer-one even looked after my dc so dh could take me out for an hour(bf was getting me down). With my next dcs(both cs) I was in for 5 days. Had my own room after first night and again was told I could have stayed longer if I wished. Tbh if someone had told me to leave 12 hours after a cs then am afraid I might have resorted to violence!.
Op-I think 2 days is far too quick. I would discuss your concerns with midwife and if you get no joy there then take it further.

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