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Childbirth

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

Original poster

To be expected to go to the hospital 3 days postpartum?

57 replies

Lafoosa · 18/04/2022 12:15

So I'm currently 3 days postpartum and originally the midwife said they'd be coming out to me to do a home visit, but now they've said they expect me to come in. They know I don't drive and neither does DP. I've torn in two places and I can hardly walk up the stairs. Even if I were to get a taxi, which we can't really afford anyway I'd still have to walk the whole way around the hospital and up 2 flights of stairs just to get to where they want me to go (lift if always out of order).

I also have no childcare arrangements for my other two children, so I'd have to go alone which isn't the best idea because I'm not very steady on my feet yet so I don't feel like it would be particularly safe for me to be out alone with baby so quickly when I can hardly even stand.

OP posts:
Dailyfailcanfeckoff · 18/04/2022 12:22

Tell them you can’t get there.
This will be staff shortages - it’s more efficient having patients come to you than it is staff doing home visits.
That said not everyone can get there - so tell them what you’ve stated in the above ask if for alternative and be prepared to contact pals tomorrow if it’s still a case of you attending.

Hope you get it sorted.

RevolutionRadio · 18/04/2022 12:22

You could try booking hospital transport, it ts free and they usually help you to where you need to be.

Although I'd have thought home visits would be standard :(

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 18/04/2022 19:25

I tore full through. 4th degree. Tons of stitches. Blood transfusion after delivery not nice. Was discharge day after then that to go back to Hospital for 5 day check no home visits thanks to covid.

I feel you! It was tough but I managed

tothemoonandbackbuses · 18/04/2022 19:27

I had to go to the hospital on day three both times. It was exhausting, it’s a crap system but there aren’t enough midwives to go round unfortunately

TheSnowyOwl · 18/04/2022 19:32

I think it’s fairly standard to have to go in. Hopefully you can get something in place for childcare and comfort. I’m sure any friend would help out with a lift under the circumstances.

mummyh2016 · 18/04/2022 20:07

It is standard unfortunately, I had to go on day 3 with both of my pregnancies. My hospital will do home visits if they have to however they make it clear that it will be anytime between 8-6 and will mean you could be stuck in the house all day. You'll probably find yours is the same.

Hugasauras · 18/04/2022 20:18

I've never heard of anyone having to do that, but I'm in Scotland so maybe it's different here.

Just tell them you're unable to get there and ask what they suggest. I'm sure you won't be the first person who can't easily get there.

RadFad · 18/04/2022 20:21

I had to go in for day 5 check. Thankfully my husband drove and I took painkillers before the journey as had episiotomy and sitting was painful.

OhRiRi · 18/04/2022 20:23

Jeez I was still in hospital hooked up to drips and urinary catheters on day.

Is there any alternative? Community midwife at your GP surgery maybe? (That's where I had my postnatal appointments long before covid although I was in for a week after so not freshly birthed!)

Cherryblossoms85 · 18/04/2022 20:24

Yeah I hated that!! With my first it was all home visits and my last I was expected to cart her half way across town to some random children's centre. It's crap. But hey it's only the future of the country and babies don't vote...

SuziSecondLaw · 18/04/2022 20:52

I had to do this due to covid. My partner couldn't come in, but I had to bring my baby.. I still remember every step carrying baby in the carseat down endless corridors. It was so painful, felt like my insides were going to fall out Shock.
Sorry, no advice, just sympathy!!!

Arecklessmanor · 19/04/2022 01:31

It might be standard in some places but that doesn't mean it's an acceptable level of care.
I missed my day 3 visit due to an issue with my baby so they came out on day 4 instead, and kept the day 5 home visit appointment too (early this year so during covid).
I'd tell them you are in too much pain to travel. The other issues like no car and no childcare add to your overall stress, but even if those issues did not exist you should still be seen at home.

There was no time slot given but I wasn't going anywhere anyway.

Jamboree01 · 19/04/2022 01:36

@Arecklessmanor

It might be standard in some places but that doesn't mean it's an acceptable level of care. I missed my day 3 visit due to an issue with my baby so they came out on day 4 instead, and kept the day 5 home visit appointment too (early this year so during covid). I'd tell them you are in too much pain to travel. The other issues like no car and no childcare add to your overall stress, but even if those issues did not exist you should still be seen at home.

There was no time slot given but I wasn't going anywhere anyway.

Totally agree.

This has only become standard since COVID.

Most people can’t see a nurse or GP face to face, and are berated for attending a&e in an emergency, but you’re expected to go in 3 days post partum?

Please take the advice offered here and tell them you need to be visited at home.

strrawberriesandcream · 19/04/2022 01:47

I'd refuse and insist on a home visit. Just tell them you are physically unable to get there due to pain and no car.

I wasn't discharged until day 5 and day 6 with mine and I found the walk to the car to go home excruciating. With one baby I had a third degree tear and had to drag/shuffle my feet along the floor as taking proper steps was too painful Grin no way would I have been making any trips out of the house unless it was an emergency or I could go door to door in the car.

I've never heard of hospital appointments for postnatal care. I had a midwife visit me at home regularly until the baby had reached their birth weight for both of my kids. Then at least 3 health visitor home visits after going home too.

Covid just isn't a good enough excuse for shit postnatal care, dig your heels in and refuse. Thanks

NickyNora · 19/04/2022 01:52

Congratulations on your new baby.

I would refuse, you don't have the means to get there.
They will have to send someone to you.

Imohsotired · 19/04/2022 02:03

Same here OP. I had a section last week and was discharged the next day. I had to return to the hospital (40 minute drive) for Day 3 and Day 5 midwife checks. I really struggled with the journey home and on day 3, it’s such a change from the home visits I had on my other children.

Katya213 · 19/04/2022 03:08

I had a fourth degree tear and had to get bus with my baby. I felt awful but had no choice.

SherryPalmer · 19/04/2022 03:13

Postnatal care in the UK is a disgrace.

Squeezedsquash · 19/04/2022 03:34

Honestly, I wouldn’t go. I know it’s for staffing reasons and midwifery is broken at the moment, but that trip sounds massively deteriorous to your mental and physical health. Day 3 is massive baby blues time.

And please don’t carry baby about in the car seat across a site a couple of days post partum - it’s a risk time for prolapse as everything is really weak.

Postpartum care is really screwed in this country. Pre-covid I’d seen a change between my first and lost on the location of day 5 checks but expecting a postpartum mum to even be dressed on day 3 is a bit ridiculous (and yes, of course it can be done, it doesn’t mean all women should be expected to be doing it).

seasaltandsunscreen · 19/04/2022 04:01

I was asked to come in at Easter for day 5 check as "the midwives want to finish early as it's Easter". 3rd degree tear, 1.75l pph, episiotomy, 4 day labour, baby with jaundice. It was horrendous and I passed out in the hospital & burst stitches. The midwife was appalled that I'd been asked to come in, she had no idea I was so ill. My milk had also come in that day so I just cried and cried.

I actually called and complained to the midwife team, and eventually got an apology.

Refuse to go in. Repeatedly state that you are too unwell. I'm sorry that midwifery is in such a state but you cannot help that; I wouldn't want anyone to have the same experience I did.

Flittingaboutagain · 19/04/2022 04:04

I just said no and I'll email PALS to have it recorded in my notes you don't have enough staff to provide acceptable care. Midwife was then allowed to come to me.

wingingit33 · 19/04/2022 07:28

Elcs, discharged after 32 hours and had to go in on day 5 too. Husband drove but fortunately the walk from car to the appointment was 2 minutes. Unfortunately it's pretty normal. That said, my postnatal care was fab. I was seen face to face at least once a week until 5 weeks postpartum.

britneyisfree · 19/04/2022 07:30

Refuse. They tried to make me do this (a month before the first lockdown, covid was not the issue) and I literally said no can't get there.

I can't drive and imo we should rest for 6 weeks so I said no I'm not getting on a bloody bus with my newborn!

Roystonv · 19/04/2022 07:33

I am in my 60's and had no idea things had got so bad. You brave women, bless you all.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 19/04/2022 07:35

If I remember those early checks mainly focus on the baby. Could your DH take the baby? (Obviously dependent on feeding set up - and I say this as a breastfeeder) otherwise I agree with the suggestion to push for a home visit if you feel that bad. I had no tears or stitches either time but still found walking out and about a struggle in that first week or so. I did manage to attend hospital check ups around days 5 & 10 but if you physically can't manage it I think it is important to say.

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