how long do you stay in hospital

[babylove21]

My last baby was 17 years ago, yes years!
Times have changed i know and now i am wondering just how long will i have to stay in hospital after the birth.
I'm not asking because i'm desperate to be home within 2 hours of giving birth or anything i'm just wondering from a practical point of view.
I have no reason to suspect i will not have a Normal delivery assuming my 36 weeks scan shows placenta has moved up out the way.
I have never breast fed and hope to this time and someone mentioned at antenatal they wont let me home unless feeding is established..... how long does it take to establish breast feeding ?

I was kicked out. I'd had a very difficult labour and DD had almost died afterwards, and there were issues establishing BFing, but I was told that someone else needed the bed and so I said I would leave that day (not the same day I gave birth BTW). Next thing I knew I was being pushed out of the ward, had to throw all my stuff into a case in a mad rush and didn't even have the car (had to panic phone my Mum to drive us home). I was still in my pajamas as they pushed me out of the ward, and I had to get changed into my ourdoors clothes behind some curtains in a waiting room while I waited for my Mum.
I don't think that my experience is typical though.

outdoor clothes

that's awful mtm. were you both ok?

Thank you amidaiwish, we were both fine in the end. I was supposed to give birth in the MW led unit where women could stay for days if they needed to, but I had to be transferred because everything went wrong. They were also going to put DD into the special care ward, but decided not to, I do wonder if that was because there wasn't room for her. I think that the consultant-led unit was generally over-crowded because a friend of ours was turned away and had to go to another city to deliver her second baby.

It depends on how easy/difficult the birth is and how busy the unit is. I gave birth on the Sunday and didn't leave until the Wednesday. On Sunday and Monday nights I had a 4 bed ward to myslef, so little noise. This was why I elected to stay. I also mase a pest of myself with the buzzer, but felt very confident that by the time I left bf was established. Staff never tried to kick me out, in fact I was repeatedly told I| could stay as long as I liked! Food was good, lots of teas/coffees and water brought to bedside and frequent chats with midwives.

What I am saying is, I suspect it will depend on the unit whether a. you CAN stay in and b. whether you WANT to stay in. Don't feel that you have to go home really quickly because everyone tells you stories of having baby and home 2 hours later. In most cultures women are supported and cared for after the birth and domestic chores removed from them. If you have the opportunity (and I appreciate not everyone does) then staying in for 2/3 nights can be a positive thing.

with dd born 6.30pm with epidural out by noon next day

with ds water birth born 9.30am again out at lunchtime. Didnt even take me to ward this time just showered and had lunch in delivery then home.