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Childbirth

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

Original poster

First dc - don't want to stay overnight

27 replies

coneywonder · 29/05/2015 20:04

Hi ladies,

Wondering what the general rules are and how long you had to stay in hospital after having your first baby? Obviously without complications that meant an extended stay.

I'm a bit nervous about having to stay in hospital for a few nights or even over night depending on what time I deliver. I was in hospital for 3 months in 2009 due to kidney failure and now have a bit of a fear as it was the most hurrendous experience. I know it's not going to be the same as I am not ill, I'm having a baby but if all is well do they let you go home fairly shortly after giving birth?

OP posts:
abbiebunn · 29/05/2015 21:16

I have been told that with my CS on Tuesday I can hopefully, if all goes ok go home in around 24 hrs.

Peppaismyhomegirl · 29/05/2015 21:19

I was out 5 hours after delivering my
First. I don't think they keep you in long nowadays.

CommonplaceMagic · 29/05/2015 21:21

I had a straightforward birth with DD and was keen to go home ASAP. I was discharged straight from the delivery suite about 4 hours after I'd had the baby.

Roseybee10 · 29/05/2015 23:32

I had a straight forward delivery at 10.30am and should have had a 6 hour discharge but there was no Dr available to discharge us so I ended up having to stay over grrr.
Had a home birth for second lol.

Original poster
coneywonder · 29/05/2015 23:55

Thanks ladies sounds promising x

OP posts:
3579little · 30/05/2015 00:04

I was discharged/left after 3hrs. I did sign a bit of paper to say that it was at my own risk. The midwife laughed at me and said, of course you can go, this isn't prison. It was my 3rd baby and it was lovely to go home and sleep in my own bed and wake up to share with the other 2.

I stayed with one of my others and whilst it was noisy and I was tired it was quite unlike being ill in hospital. Assuming no major complications you will be slightly euphoric at what happened and staring at the new person that you get to take home. I was glad I had lots of snacks and drinks as a think I munched my way through the night and I could sleep for excitement even when my baby was asleep!

HorraceTheOtter · 30/05/2015 00:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SaulGood · 30/05/2015 00:09

I was discharged after 12hrs with my first and that was an emergency caesarean. If you are fit and well and happy, they will probably discharge you fairly quickly.

cuntycowfacemonkey · 30/05/2015 00:11

I was in 5 days with both of mine but I had complications - generally speaking everyone else came and went pretty quickly and didn't stay over night unless it was a c section.

Have to say though I didn't find it a negative experience. Laying in bed all day with nothing else to do but cuddle a newborn!

needadvice321 · 30/05/2015 00:17

I live overseas where standard stay is 48 hours. It's actually quite nice!! Just had my third and it was nice to have a bit of peace and baby to myself.

Wolfiefan · 30/05/2015 00:18

Do you have a MW led unit near you? (I could have stayed there for weeks!!)

IKeepChangingMyName · 30/05/2015 00:35

Don't get too concerned over this. If all is well, you can go home, but if things aren't quite perfect, a bit dodgy, or not good, you may have to stay for longer.

Many of us have had unexpected stays and at the time it is fine as you will do ANYTHING to protect your baby.

I was so averse to hospitals I planned a home-birth for my first. We were admitted, discharged after one night (I'd had a spinal for a ventouse, not ideal but not traumatic) and then re-admitted for feeding issues. Obviously it wasn't my plan or desire but as soon as I knew he was fine, the three days we had to spend in hospital were really OK. A maternity ward is not like an acute ward.

Managed a chilled home birth with second though!

Have you had any counselling for your trauma? Kidney failure sounds terrifying.

Original poster
coneywonder · 30/05/2015 10:39

I will be having baby at a birthing centre at the maternity unit at the hospital and obviously ill be more than happy to stay if me or baby needs to stay I just don't want to have to stay for no reason which I'm sure I won't.

Yeah I've had counselling and it's generally how I was treated last time that makes me anxious. I fitted and fell out of my bed and cut my head open on my drip stand and wasn't found for a few hours and couldn't get back into bed myself. Needed stitches but didn't get any and have a nasty scar on my scalp now. Xx

OP posts:
luna40 · 30/05/2015 14:18

Oh dear, what an awful situation that must have been! I'm sorry you went through that...
A Birthing Centre can be really lovely, and as others have said above, if its straight forward you can be out after 4 hours. Unless its middle of the night then they'd obviously let you stay. My first birth, I got transferred from the birthing centre to the hospital in the pushing stages and needed to have stitches afterwards so had to stay in 24 hours, but to be honest, I really appreciated the rest and assistance from the midwives with breastfeeding etc.

bronya · 30/05/2015 14:21

That sounds awful. At our MLU partners can stay as you stay in the delivery suite - so you are never on your own. It was amazing! I hope you have a similar experience.

lilac3033 · 30/05/2015 17:44

I wanted to head home ASAP after DD was born (in a MLU). I even asked about it in the delivery room.

I ended up staying 2 nights for help with feeding and I am very much glad I did. I had dreaded the stay in the ward, but it was actually ok. The first night I was actually the only mum in the room! So DD and I got a lot of attention and support.

Original poster
coneywonder · 30/05/2015 18:09

Thank you ladies you have made me feel better xx

OP posts:
Scotinoz · 30/05/2015 18:50

I live overseas and the standard stay is 4 nights. It was lovely - like a little holiday!

FortyFacedFuckers · 30/05/2015 18:50

When I had had my ds I stayed in the delivery room for 5 hours and when they came to move us I asked to be discharged so I was home within 6 hours of giving birth. I have recently been told you can be discharged after 4 hours now though.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 30/05/2015 18:55

It depends on your birth. A straightforward birth with no complications should be around 6 hours, although if you deliver in the night / evening you'll probably go to the next day just because of timing.
C section is typically 2 nights or until you're up and about.
I was in 8 days but had an emcs and premature birth so my experience isn't typical

Christelle2207 · 30/05/2015 20:17

First time I was in two whole days (one night) but had a long and complicated delivery. I don't think they would have stopped me leaving but I couldn't get of bed to be honest was that knackered. Leaving on the first day was not really practical.

Second time was there 12 hours but could have left earlier I'm sure.

But both times I was quite happy with the care I received and wasn't in any particular rush. First time I paid for a private room which meant dh could stay with me the whole time. Would this be an option?

Original poster
coneywonder · 30/05/2015 21:22

I hadn't thought about that I didn't even think it was an option. I'll look into it x

OP posts:
AbbeyRoadCrossing · 30/05/2015 22:16

It depends on the hospital but the hospitals in both my pregnancies do have private rooms available to buy. However they will bump you out if someone is in need of the room (although that might also depend on the hospital), often women separated from their babies are given them so they don't have to be on the ward with the babies, or if they've had a hard time for other reasons.

mrsleomcgary · 30/05/2015 22:18

Just to echo what others have said about staying, I was in for 3 nights as I'm a type 1 diabetic and both dd and I needed monitoring for 24hrs then help with feeding and it was great to be honest. I was on a ward with 3 others and we were all in the same boat and helped each other out with little bits and pieces. I've had my fair share of hospital stays,nothing as bad as yours thankfully,and it was completely different.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 30/05/2015 22:24

I had forceps in the early am and stayed the next night . It was really nice actually - the rooms are all single at my hospital . The midwives showed DH how to wind , change a nappy and do a bath so that was him sorted!

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