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

[Spod]

I'm having a c section on friday and have a serious aversion to hospitals (have had major surgeries in past and hate the places). I wanna get up and about and home as fast as I can... everyone tells me I can expect a minimum 4 day stay.... this sounds just awful to me... Assuming that all is well with me and baby... why do they try and keep you in for 4 days+?? what 'tests' do i have to 'pass' to be allowed home (where i will get more help and sleep anyhow!!) I've had spinal surgery previously and so know what to expect in terms of healing and recovery and pain etc...a c section can't be any worse?? Any tips and advice would be great.

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 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

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!

just to let you know... I managed to get out of hospital in just over 48 hours following the section!!! didnt even have to discharge myself... they let me go... recovered far more quickly at home!!!!