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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Early discharge from hospital after birth.

23 replies

BabyDubsEverywhere · 15/04/2012 19:47

I'm really hoping for a homebirth, however, I am classed as high risk so this may not be possible. I have been wondering about being in hospital for the birth, but then leaving immediatly after birth, as in within a couple of hours, no going onto the ward at all. How would i stand if i said thanks very much, now ive had a shower I'll be off?

Obviously this is assumiung all goes well and normal delivery. Can they stop me? Can they stop me taking the baby? I asked to go straight home after DD birth but they said it was after 6pm so they couldn't let me go Confused I didn't push it as it sounded so official at the time, it wasn't until a few days later that I realised I wasn't actually in prison, just hospital!

Being on the ward will aggrivate my MH disorder.

Any experience/advice? Smile

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Thefoxsbrush · 15/04/2012 19:53

I went home within a couple of hours. Think it helps if it's not your first baby and everything was straightforward. I told mw in delivery suite I wanted to go home as soon as poss and she said it wasn't a problem. My mw had completed extra training which enabled her to carry out all post natal checks so we didn't have to wait for a doctor

spanky2 · 15/04/2012 19:54

After I had ds2 at 4.45a.m I was home by 10am. I only had to hang around as it was really busy and they didn't have time to do my discharge papers. I didn't go to the ward. For safety sake if you are classed as high risk have the baby in hospital, but assuming it is a straight forward delivery I can't see why not especially as this is your second baby. Talk to the midwife and put it in the birth plan. You need to make the midwife aware of any concerns you have about you MH as it is important that you are well.

lottiegb · 15/04/2012 19:54

hmm, no idea really as know nothing about you, or anything other than my own experience but i went home direct from the delivery suite about five hours after birth. Chose to but with every encouragement, it was more that I could have gone up to the ward if I'd wanted but no need.

Had to wait 2 hours for stitches to be finished, did first feed at same time, then shower, baby's first poo, hearing test, discussion with mws and that was everything done that needed to be.

First child, low risk, straightforward delivery, gas and air only.

StickingLaboutin · 15/04/2012 19:56

I was also high risk and wanted a minimum of time spent in hospital. They let me go as soon as I had passed urine and was up. I had DS at 6.45am and was out and in bed at home by 10.30am.

I think it depends on what time you deliver. With DD I had her at 10.50pm and they wanted me to leave at midnight. She was my first and I didn't want to go home straight away. I think the midwife didn't want the hassle of making up a ward bed for me! DH insisted they let me stay as I was in no state to leave.

CinnabarRed · 15/04/2012 19:57

With DS2, we arrived at the labour ward at 9pm, he was born at 9:46pm and were discharged home at midnight. Never got as far as the postnatal ward.

That said, DS2 poo'd and wee'd on the midwife as she handed him to me, and breastfed immediately. We were also at Stoke Mandeville, which was large enough to have a pediatrician on duty at night to do the various postnatal checks, and she happened to be available exactly when we wanted her. I seem to recall the midwife saying that we wouldn't have been discharged so quickly if it hadn't have been fir the poo/wee/feed/medical check all coming together perfectly.

I was also lucky enough to not need stitches - I would guess they might also slow things down a bit.

likelucklove · 15/04/2012 20:03

It really is one of those things that you see what it's like I'm the day.

My experience is that I was also high risk and induced for medical reasons at 40+9. The induction began at 12, I had DD at 11.10pm that same day. After, I was dehydrated, had a second degree tear, spontaneous labor, elevated temp and blood pressure, there was meconium inside me along with other complications. I was out by 3pm the next day, and would have been sooner but the doctor was v late and the ward was understaffed. I kept pestering them to go home because there was a woman opposite me who was complaining about the hospital all the time and it made me uncomfortable, since she was trying to goad us other 3 in there needless to say we all got signed off that day Grin.

DD was my first so is possible but it depends on what happens and who is caring for you. If it is complications like mine, make the case it is best for you to rest in an environment your comfortable in and the midwife will come see you for a couple of days straight.

Good luck Smile

HateBeingCantDoUpMyJeans · 15/04/2012 20:06

If its your second and everything goes to plan they will kick you out quite quickly I believe.

Sittinginthesun · 15/04/2012 20:12

After a fairly rubbish hospital stay with DS1, I was very clear that I wanted to leave ASAP after DS2 was born.

I didn't do too bad - he was born at 2.45am, and I ended up with an epidural and stitches. Transferred to the postnatal ward at 4am, short nap, discharge MW saw me first at 8am, but suggested I did the hearing check and doctor check as both doctors had just come on duty, so had a cuppa, did both checks, and was home in bed by 11am.

I think you have to nag a bit, otherwise you just get left in the system.

blueberryboybait · 15/04/2012 20:18

It will depend on why you are high risk.

I was high risk with DD2 because of thyroid issues and GBS+ so had no say in my 48 hour stay. A friend was high risk due to high BMI her DD was born at 6am and she was out by 9.30. In our hospital the baby needs to poo, pee and feed and you need to walk and wee.

HappyCamel · 15/04/2012 20:23

I was sent home after 5 hours at midnight because there we no beds on postnatal. We coped because my mum was waiting at home but it was hard work and without her help I wouldnt have figured out feeding or been confident about bathing dd etc. I don't think it is something you can or should plan in advance.

BlingBubbles · 15/04/2012 20:25

My DD was born at 7:05 in the morning an we left hospital that night at 21:30. I think if the baby is eating and the doctor thinks everything is ok then there is no reason they have to keep you. I was absolutely shattered and was on a busy ward and just felt that I would get more rest at home in my own bed. Just been firm with the MW's.

5madthings · 15/04/2012 20:30

i think the rule is they can discharge you straight from delivery as long as its three or four hours after the birth? i can remember which it is, but i did this with ds3 i had him at 5am and was home by about 9am, it was a straighforward birth and he and i were both fine, it was also the 23rd dec and i was desperate to get back home to my other two boys!

i was going to do the same after ds4 but he had breathing issues so we had to stay in for 24hrs, with dd (no 5) i had to stay in as i was taking medication during pregnancy so they wanted to moniter dd for 24hrs also.

let them know in advance taht that is your plan if the birth goes fine and you and baby are fine and it shouldnt be a problem :)

Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 15/04/2012 21:58

Thankyou for all the replies Smile much food for thought!

Sorry I should habe said why I'm high risk, of course that makes a difference!

I have a BMI of 36 and cut off here is 35, so high risk. Also have Bipolar...somehow tis makes me high risk though no one can tell me why!

DC will be my third. I had a staright forward birth with DD (second) and still had to stay over night so a pead could check her. But if I had a home birth I would just have taken her to a doctor the next day right? so why couldnt I have done that anyway?

If this one comes again in the evening the idea of staying in over night is making me feel ill. I find being around people, honestly just being out of my own home, for any longer than a few hours incredibly stressful. It is part of my disorder, I have been having treatment for a long time, i am still very much affected by it, long road kind of thing. Of course if there was the slightest hint of problem with DC they come first regardless of how ill i get and always will. but if I had him at home no one would be checking through the night would just see the docs/midwives the next day so I cnat see the difference.

I think I need to talk to midwife about my hospital dont I..

OP posts:
lottiegb · 15/04/2012 22:09

We didn't see the paedeatrician before leaving and no-one seemed fussed about that, we saw the GP the next day or one after instead, he came to us.

PiedWagtail · 15/04/2012 22:16

We didn't wait to see the paed in hosp after the birth of ds (my 2nd; VBAC, ventouse birth), got discharged as soon as I could walk after epidural (had to lie a bit and say I could feel my legs when really I couldn't yet) and went to GP next day/day after for newborn checks :)

5madthings · 15/04/2012 22:17

no you dont have to see a paed now, some midwifes are qualified to do the newborn checks or like *lottie& says you can take baby to your gp the next day :)

Jess850 · 15/04/2012 22:21

With DC2 I had him just after midday and was home by 7pm :-)
Birth was straightforward but had ragged membranes (placenta did not come out completely intact and took ages) and some stitches.
I have to say though I wish in hindsight I had stayed in as felt so rough and DC1 jumped in our bed and the four of us did not get a wink of sleep Shock

cravingcake · 15/04/2012 22:28

Standard practice at my hospital is you can leave after 6 hours. I ended up being in for 6 days (first baby and difficult birth).

Definitely speak with your MW as soon as you can for your own peace of mind.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 15/04/2012 22:29

Do you realise no one can stop you having a homebirth? No one can force you into hospital and they have to provide midwives when you go into labour. Depends what your risk factors are, but if you feel happy birthing at home then do it - just tell your HoM in a letter that you intend to birth at home and look forward to receiving the appropriate support.
If you have to transfer in, then if all is well with baby, you are not in prison and can leave when you want.

Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 15/04/2012 22:40

I have read that they can't refuse me a home birth, but i worry that if i stuck to my guns and said I wasnt coming in would i get a couple of midwives sent who didnt want to be there and perhaps the care would be slightly lacking? this may well be completely irrational - in my defence - I am irrational Grin

And it really did feel prison like to me, i knwo that will seem like an extreme opinion to most, but my head doesnt work quite right and thats how it felt. I assume I can leave when i want, as in just get up and walk out if i have to, but what about the baby, can they stop me taking him out?

Why am i so bloody stressed over such a normal thing! ahh!

Thankyou everyone, its been helpful reading replies Smile

OP posts:
5madthings · 15/04/2012 22:43

no they cant stop you taking the baby as long as its fine, if baby isnt checked by a paed or aa midwife qualified to do so they may want you to sign a disclaimer type thing and get baby checked by your gp within 24hrs :)

Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 15/04/2012 22:46

That is a relief, thankyou.

{would like to just state again that if there was the slightest risk with DC then i would set up camp in hosp and stay there forever if i had to, no one need worry that he will not be put first Smile }

OP posts:
CervixWithASmile · 15/04/2012 22:57

You can also discharge yourself if you believe you don't need to be there.

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