Discharge procedure after birth

[crustyornommed]

Hi All,

I'm trying to sort out childcare for my DD while I'm having DC2 and I've got a slightly odd query. If you discharge yourself, or are discharged as medically fit, but they need to keep the baby in, what happens? When I had DD I was kept in a second night because there was no paediatrician to sign off her paper work and though I've got no problems with discharging myself from hospital, I wouldn't have the confidence to do that with a baby. I've googled and there's a lot of references to what happens if you discharge yourself AND the baby against medical advice, but I can't find any information on what happens if you need to be separated, if you're fit to leave but the baby can't yet, iyswim. Can your partner stay instead and the baby be transferred to a paediatric ward? Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this.

Thanks drcharliegirl,

To be honest with only a few of weeks left to go (I'm 36 weeks pg) we've tried all childcare options and are reconciled to it. I wouldn't expect nicu to take on free childcare of course but what's wrong with DP staying during the day and me staying at night on postnatal? He wouldn't be there after visiting hours so wouldnt be upsetting anyone that way and we could swap over in the evening? Is there a logical reason it wouldn't work? It just seems berserk to me to have someone in taking up a treatment bed when they don't need to be there.